Autism Resources in Plymouth County, Massachusetts

Plymouth

Beth Israel Lahey Health — Plymouth — Developmental Pediatrics

Developmental pediatrics services in Plymouth County through Beth Israel Lahey Health's South Shore network. Provides autism evaluations and developmental assessments closer to home for Plymouth County families, reducing reliance on Boston-based specialty centers.

South Shore families: Boston Children's is an option but the drive and wait are long — ask your pediatrician about local referral pathways first.

Hanover

South Shore Educational Collaborative — Early Intervention

Early Intervention services for Plymouth County children ages 0–3, coordinated through the South Shore Educational Collaborative. Free evaluations and therapy services under IDEA Part C. Speech, OT, developmental therapy, and family training delivered at home or in community settings.

FREE under IDEA Part C. Start here immediately if your child is under 3 and you have any developmental concern.

Quincy · multi-county

Autism Learning Partners — South Shore / Norfolk County

Autism Learning Partners is a national ABA provider with Massachusetts presence serving Norfolk County families. Offers in-home and clinic-based ABA therapy for children and teens, BCBA-supervised. Massachusetts commercial insurance mandate and MassHealth authorization accepted. Specializes in naturalistic ABA approaches.

Randolph · multi-county

May Institute — Autism Services

One of the nation's largest and most respected autism service providers, May Institute is headquartered in Norwood and serves Middlesex and Norfolk County families. Offers ABA therapy, special education schools, adult services, and residential programs. BCBA-supervised at all levels.

One of the largest autism service organizations in New England. Strong in adult services.

Randolph · multi-county

May Institute — Bristol County Services

May Institute is one of New England's largest autism service organizations, with programs serving Bristol County families. Provides ABA therapy, special education day schools, adult day programs, and supported employment — a full lifespan service model with BCBA supervision at all levels.

One of MA's most respected autism providers. Strong in adult transition services, employment, and residential support.

Norwood · multi-county

May Institute — Headquarters & Norwood Programs

May Institute is headquartered in Norwood, Norfolk County, and is one of New England's largest and most respected autism service organizations. Provides ABA therapy, special education day schools, adult day programs, supported employment, and residential services — a full lifespan model with BCBA supervision at all levels.

Randolph · multi-county

May Institute — South Shore Services

One of New England's largest autism service organizations, May Institute serves Plymouth County families through its South Shore locations. Provides ABA therapy, special education schools, and adult services including supported employment and residential support. Nationally respected BCBA-led programs.

Strong adult services — important resource as children age out of school-based supports.

Brockton · multi-county

South Shore Autism Center

ABA therapy and behavior support services for Plymouth County and the South Shore region. Offers center-based and in-home ABA for children and teens with autism spectrum disorder. BCBA-supervised. Massachusetts commercial insurance mandate and MassHealth authorization both accepted.

MA requires commercial insurers to cover ABA. MassHealth authorization also available.

Statewide · multi-county

DDS Family Support Centers — respite and Flexible Funding

Massachusetts funds respite through Department of Developmental Services Family Support Centers, delivered at home, in a community program or in a licensed residential setting. Ask specifically about Flexible Funding: it gives families money that can go toward respite, recreation, adaptive equipment, transport or training, decided by the family rather than the agency. Flexible funding is unusual and is the part families most often do not know to request.

Find your regional Family Support Center first — they are the practical door, not the DDS area office.

~3,000 providers nationwide

ARCH National Respite Locator

A free national database of respite providers searchable by state and locality — home care agencies, community-based organizations and state programs. The single best starting point for finding respite anywhere in the country, and it is the tool state agencies themselves point families toward.

A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.

Before you pay out of pocket, check what your state's Medicaid waiver funds — respite is covered by nearly every state waiver, and many families never think to ask.

Most states run one

Your state's Lifespan Respite Care Program

Lifespan Respite Care Programs are federally seeded, state-run programs that help families of any age and any disability find and pay for respite — often including vouchers or subsidies that do not depend on having a Medicaid waiver. Most states have one, they are chronically under-used, and they are rarely mentioned by anyone else in the system.

A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.

Search for "[your state] Lifespan Respite" or use the ARCH directory. Ask specifically about voucher or subsidy programs — that is the part families most often miss.

Plymouth

Autism Connections — Plymouth/South Shore Chapter

A parent-led support and resource organization for families of autistic children in Plymouth County and the South Shore. Regular support group meetings, family social events, and resource referrals to local providers and MA DDS services.

Canton · multi-county

Tufts Special Care Dental Clinics - Canton (Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital)

3 Randolph St., Bradford Building, 2nd Floor, Canton, MA 02021

Part of Tufts Special Care Dental Clinics - the only network of clinics in the country dedicated to special needs dentistry, and one that exists because of a 1976 court order requiring Massachusetts to expand access for people with disabilities. It serves adults AND children with developmental disabilities living in Massachusetts, with teams that include dentists, hygienists and social workers, across seven sites so families are not driving the length of the state. Accepts MassHealth, Delta Dental, Blue Cross Blue Shield and self-pay.

Eligibility is confirmed by phone before a first visit; the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services can also tell you whether you qualify. Care is not free, but most patients are covered by MassHealth.

Taunton · multi-county

Tufts Special Care Dental Clinics - Taunton

2007 Bay St., Suite B110, Taunton, MA 02780

Part of Tufts Special Care Dental Clinics - the only network of clinics in the country dedicated to special needs dentistry, and one that exists because of a 1976 court order requiring Massachusetts to expand access for people with disabilities. It serves adults AND children with developmental disabilities living in Massachusetts, with teams that include dentists, hygienists and social workers, across seven sites so families are not driving the length of the state. Accepts MassHealth, Delta Dental, Blue Cross Blue Shield and self-pay.

Eligibility is confirmed by phone before a first visit; the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services can also tell you whether you qualify. Care is not free, but most patients are covered by MassHealth.

Wrentham · multi-county

Tufts Special Care Dental Clinics - Wrentham

131 Emerald St., Wrentham, MA 02093

Part of Tufts Special Care Dental Clinics - the only network of clinics in the country dedicated to special needs dentistry, and one that exists because of a 1976 court order requiring Massachusetts to expand access for people with disabilities. It serves adults AND children with developmental disabilities living in Massachusetts, with teams that include dentists, hygienists and social workers, across seven sites so families are not driving the length of the state. Accepts MassHealth, Delta Dental, Blue Cross Blue Shield and self-pay.

Eligibility is confirmed by phone before a first visit; the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services can also tell you whether you qualify. Care is not free, but most patients are covered by MassHealth.

Boston · multi-county

Camp Shriver at UMass Boston

A free inclusive summer sports camp for young people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities together. Free and inclusive is a rare combination - most inclusive programs charge and most free programs are disability-only.

200+ locations nationwide

ACEing Autism

Weekly Saturday tennis clinics built specifically for autistic children aged 5 to 18, run by volunteers at more than 200 locations across the country, serving over 7,000 players. Sessions run in six-week blocks of an hour. This is the clearest example of the interest-based model working: the sport supplies the structure, the turn-taking and the reason to be there, so the social side happens sideways rather than being the task.

A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.

Cost varies by location — around $120 for a six-week session at some sites, with scholarships available. Use the map on their site to find your nearest program, schedule and local contact.

~4,000 camps nationwide

American Camp Association — camp finder

A free searchable directory of close to 4,000 summer camps that can be filtered for camps serving autistic campers, by distance, session length, activities and cost. The best single starting point for finding a day or overnight camp anywhere in the country.

A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.

Registration for specialized camps typically opens December–February and popular overnight camps fill within days. Start the funding conversation in autumn.

Nationwide — find your local chapter

Best Buddies

One-to-one friendship matching between people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities, plus employment, leadership and inclusive living programs. Over 4,000 chapters across all 50 states, serving school-age through adult. If what your family wants is a friend rather than an activity, this is the most direct answer in the country.

A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.

A national organization, not a local listing — use the finder on their site, or call 1-800-89BUDDY, to locate your nearest chapter.

Local affiliates across most of the country

Easterseals — camps and recreation

Day and overnight camps run through local Easterseals affiliates, several of them autism-specific, with weekend respite and family camp sessions as well. Many affiliates operate sliding-scale fees, and several camps serve adults alongside children.

A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.

Programs vary a great deal between affiliates — check what your nearest one actually runs rather than assuming the national description applies.

Week-long camps hosted nationwide

iCan Shine (iCan Bike)

Teaches people with disabilities to ride a conventional two-wheeled bicycle, using adapted roller bikes over a week-long camp that gradually transfers balance to the rider. Learning to ride a bike is a milestone a lot of autistic children are quietly written off for, and this is the program that most reliably delivers it. Camps are hosted by local organizations across the country, so availability is by host town rather than by chapter.

A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.

Check their site for host locations and dates — camps run in different towns each year, so somewhere near you may host this year and not next.

Local chapters in a number of US cities

KEEN (Kids Enjoy Exercise Now)

Volunteer-led one-to-one recreation for children and young adults with developmental and physical disabilities, at no cost to families or carers. The one-to-one model is the point: a volunteer is paired with your child for the session, which makes it workable for people who cannot manage a group setting unsupported.

A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.

Free to families. Runs through local chapters in a number of US cities rather than everywhere — check whether yours has one.

900+ divisions nationwide

Little League Challenger Division

Baseball for children and adults with a physical or intellectual disability, across more than 900 divisions. The main division serves ages 4–18, or up to 22 if still enrolled in school; the Senior League Challenger Division serves 15 and above with no upper age limit.

A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.

Use the league finder on their site to locate the nearest Challenger division, or ask about starting one.

200+ communities

Miracle League

Baseball on purpose-built accessible fields in more than 200 communities. Every player bats and every player scores, so ability differences do not decide the game.

A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.

Check their location list for the nearest field — coverage is good but not universal.

Every state — county-level programs

Special Olympics

Year-round sports training and competition at no cost to the athlete or their family, for children and adults alike. Programs run at county level in every state.

A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.

Eligibility centers on intellectual disability or a closely related developmental disability. If your child is autistic without an intellectual disability, have a direct conversation about fit before signing up rather than after.

Through local clubs and state associations

TOPSoccer (US Youth Soccer)

The Outreach Program for Soccer — recreational soccer for children and adults with intellectual, emotional or physical disabilities, usually with buddy support on the pitch. Run through ordinary local soccer clubs rather than as a separate organization.

A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.

Ask your state youth soccer association which local clubs run TOPSoccer — it is often not advertised on the club's own website.