PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH ASD AGES 0-9

AN IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE AUTISM DIVISON

Open Enrollment for the Children’s Autism Waiver Program

October 7, 2013- October 18, 2013

WHO SHOULD APPLY?

1) Parents who have children on the autism spectrum 0-9 years old

2) Parents who think intensive services are needed to support their

child with autism spectrum disorder in the home and community (ABA, floor time, as well as respite and other services)

The Autism Waiver program offers $25,000/year of services for three years for each child selected.

3) Parents who think they might be eligible for MassHealth

Ø  Applications for the Autism Waiver Program must be postmarked between October 7, 2013 and October 18, 2013.  Applications with postmarks before October 7 or after October 18 will be discarded.

Ø  Even if you applied during the last open enrollment period, you must apply again between October 7 and October 18 to remain eligible for Autism Waiver services.   

Additional Information about this Waiver Program will soon be available on the DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES Website at: www.mass.gov/DDS under ‘Autism Spectrum Services’ or contact 1-888-367-4435.  Information is also available through the Autism Support Centers listed below.

Listing of the Autism Support Centers:

HMEA: Autism Resource Center                                           

71 Sterling Street, West Boylston, MA 01583    

#508-835-4278: Serving Central, MA

ACL: Community Resources for People with Autism (CRPA)                

116 Pleasant St. Easthampton, MA 01027                           

#413-529-2428: Serving Western, MA

Community Autism Resources (CAR)                                

33 James Reynolds Rd, Unit C, Swansea, MA 02777                       

#508-379-0371: Serving Southeastern, MA

TILL, Inc.: Autism Support Center                       

20 Eastbrook Rd. Dedham, MA 02026                 

#781-302-4600 x 4661: Serving Greater Boston

SNCARC: The Family Autism Center                                 

789 Clapboardtree Street, Westwood, MA 02090          

#781-762-4001, X. 395: Serving Norfolk County Area

NEARC: The Autism Support Center  

6 Southside Road, Danvers, MA 01923                                

#978-777-9135: Serving Northeastern, MA

Advocates: Autism Alliance of MetroWest (AAMW)

14 Central Street, Natick, MA 01760

#508-652-9900: Serving Metro West of Boston

In her recent blog ESPN author Jemele Hill discusses the myth of Oscar Pistorius would we not treat him as an ordinary domestic abuser. If not for being an amputee. In other words, Peg leg is just as likely to commit a crime. as anyone else. I do not find disabled athletes inspiring myself. They are people like everyone else. The beauty about athletics is you do not think in disabled terms in my opinion the Oscar story is not whether there is an Olympic myth or not, but rather just another tragic story of domestic violence. Let us remember all of those victims of such horrible atrocities and not celebrate the fact that some celebrity, was not considered a flight risk by an African court. http://espn.go.com/olympics/trackandfield/story/_/id/8971736/olympic-myth

let's not get caught in the details

In a recent New York Times article the author discusses the difficulties and challenges with integrating disabled athletes into high school sporting events. As a former athlete I say that the risks are outweighed by the reward dramatically. There are so many viable life lessons that one can learn from being part of the team accomplishing an altogether and achieving something with your peers. I hope you enjoy