Medicaid waivers for autism in Massachusetts
The Children's Autism Waiver serves Massachusetts children from birth through age 8 with an autism spectrum disorder. Adult DDS supports are a separate track with separate eligibility.
- Main program
- DDS Children's Autism Waiver, and adult DDS supports
- Typical wait
- Children's Autism Waiver opens only in limited request periods
- Administered by
- Department of Developmental Services (DDS)
- Age rules
- Birth through age 8 — the child must not have reached their ninth birthday. Services run for up to three years. This is a hard cut-off, so for a child approaching 9 the window is closing regardless of anything else.
How to get on the list
Watch the Mass.gov Autism Waiver Service Program page for the open request period. Your local family support center or autism support center will help you complete the application — contact them before the window opens rather than during it, because the periods are short.
Open the official Massachusetts page →Does autism qualify?
A confirmed autism spectrum disorder diagnosis, verified by DDS. The child must also meet the ICF/ID level-of-care standard as assessed by DDS, and be found eligible for MassHealth Standard based on family income.
How the waiting list works
Massachusetts does not run a rolling queue for this waiver. It opens an **Open Request Period**, families apply during that window, and it then closes. The 2025 period has closed; the next was expected in autumn 2026. This is the most time-sensitive arrangement of any state we have researched — a family who assumes they can apply whenever they are ready may lose a year, and for a child near the age-9 cut-off, may lose the waiver entirely. Check the Mass.gov listing page for the current period before assuming anything.
What it can pay for
- Expanded Habilitation Education delivered in the home
- Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA)
- Floortime
- Relationship Development Intervention (RDI)
Other programs worth knowing
Adult DDS eligibility is a separate question
Turning 9 and leaving the Children's Autism Waiver is not the same as qualifying for adult DDS supports, which have their own criteria. Ask about the adult eligibility process well before your child ages out.
Massachusettsproviders & resources →
Local help you can access now, while you wait.
Waivers explained →
What to do while you're on the list, and what to ask.
Sources · last checked August 2026
- Mass.gov — Children's Autism Waiver program overview
- Mass.gov — Autism Waiver open request period
- Mass.gov — eligibility for DDS services
- Massachusetts Advocates for Children — autism waiver
Waiting lists and eligibility rules change. Always confirm current details with the agency before making decisions. If something here is out of date, tell us.