Autism Services

Partnering with individuals of all ages with autism and their families to foster rewarding and productive lives.

Advocates offers a full range of services for individuals with autism and their families at all stages of life. From the Autism Alliance, which supports families from diagnosis through early adulthood, to our specialized adult residential and day services, we strive to create opportunities for rewarding and productive lives.

Autism Alliance

Serving communities in the MetroWest region, the Autism Alliance offers events, support, and resources for the whole family. The Alliance is made of more than 1,000 families and 125 specialists in the field – a community of people sharing information and experiences, and offering support in a variety of ways. Our goal is to give families the knowledge not only to cope with autism, but also to flourish and grow. Learn More.

Together, Advocates and the Autism Alliance partner with businesses and individuals to create a welcoming and accessible community for families and their loved ones with autism. Learn more about the Autism Welcoming Initiative.

Adult Residential Services

One of the most daunting challenges for many families is finding the right place for their adult sons and daughters with autism to call home. From navigating eligibility for adult services to choosing the best situation for a loved one and transitioning to new care providers, the process can be overwhelming. Advocates’ approach is to partner with families to help them identify their own vision, access resources, and implement the supports needed to bring that vision to life.

We offer 24-hour staffed group homes specializing in autism, as well as Shared Living, Adult Family Care, and in-home support for families caring for their sons or daughters at home. When existing programs and models do not fit the needs and goals of an individual or family, we are eager to think outside of the box to create a customized solution with families. 

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Autism Day Services

Based at the newly renovated Life Skills & Learning Center in Ashland, our day services are designed to encourage independence through paths to employment and opportunities to successfully contribute to the community.

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Crisis Intervention

Through Advocates Mobile Crisis Intervention services for individuals 21 and under with autism, our team of clinicians and trained family partners provide immediate response and support wherever the child is located, whether it’s at home, school, or another setting in the community.

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Project Able

Project Able was created to connect Chinese and Vietnamese families in the Boston area to resources and support for loved ones with disabilities. Our culturally diverse and experienced staff partners with each family to provide access to programs, services, and connections based on their unique needs and vision. Learn More. 

Recreation and Events

Through the Autism Alliance of MetroWest and Advocates’ monthly Fun, Friends, and Family event series, we offer a number of opportunities for individuals and families to relax, have fun, and connect with old and new friends. Activities include bingo, dance parties, indoor mini-golf, nature walks, and much more. We also provide monthly workshops and trainings tailored to caregivers and their families. Please check out our event calendar for the latest offerings.

South Coastal Family Support Center

The South Coastal Family Support Center connects families of children and adults with autism and developmental disabilities in the Massachusetts South Shore area to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive. We believe that the families we support are the foremost experts on their lives, and we work in partnership with each family to design individual supports, adult mentoring, and service navigation specific to their needs, goals, and wishes.

Learn More. 

Featured Stories

#SummerofFun at the PawSox

In the midst of handling housing, transportation, health care, and other logistics involved when caring for individuals with disabilities,

Developmental Services

The Families of LaGrange Street

Bringing five families’ vision of home to life.

Related News/Updates

Autism Welcoming Initiative Featured in The Boston Globe

Autism Alliance's Autism Welcoming initiative is teaching businesses how to accommodate individuals and families with special needs.

Life Skills and Learning Center Fall Update

I cannot believe summer is over and fall is coming to an end. There are many updates at Day Services! We welcomed four new staff to the program who are currently training and learning the ins and outs of Day Services. We've also recently shifted and added several staff positions and look forward to sharing more about those changes soon.