Other
Articles and Spotlights
College for Those with an Intellectual/Developmental Disability or Autism
Massachusetts is the first in the nation to pass legislation making state colleges and universities accessible to students with an intellectual / developmental disability or autism, while waiving requirements such as a high school diploma and providing supports from adult agencies. The student can participate in classes, internships, work-based trainings, extracurricular activities and all other aspects of campus life that include all students.​
MA21 - Massachusetts Alliance for 21st Century Disability Policy
MA21 was formed in 2007 to protect the rights of people with disabilities to self-direct, and through its efforts helped pass the Real Lives Law in 2014.
MA21 is a partnership of self-advocates, family members, other stakeholders, and disability advocacy organizations. MA21 is currently advocating for the Real Lives Law to be put into effect, 10 years after it's passing.
* CHECK OUT MA21's WEBSITE TO LEARN MORE, GET INVOLVED, ATTEND MEETINGS, AND VIEW THEIR FACT SHEET WHICH INCLUDES THEIR FIVE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES *
Working with a Person
with Autism
People with Autism can be excellent employees as they are often reliable, punctual, have a professional attitude, a high level of attention to detail and are good with routine and repetition.
* THIS INFORMATION SHEET HAS HELPFUL TIPS AND STRATEGIES FOR EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES TO INCREASE THE PROBABILITY FOR A SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIP AND EXPERIENCE *
Adult Family / Foster Care (AFC) vs
Personal Care Attendant (PCA)
AFC and PCA are two important programs funded by MassHealth. Both programs can provide help with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, eating, walking, transferring and toileting.
* DO YOU KNOW THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA OF THESE PROGRAMS? DO YOU WANT TO GET PAID TO BE YOUR YOUNG ADULT'S CAREGIVER? INQUIRE REGARDING ELIGIBILITY. *
Article - "Autism is a Spectrum" Doesn't Mean What You Think
C.L Lynch asserts "If only people knew what a spectrum is.... because they are talking about autism all wrong." "People think you can be 'a little autistic' or 'extremely autistic'. In fact, one of the distinguishing features of autism is what the DSM-V calls 'uneven profile of abilities'." "Autism isn’t one condition. It is a collection of related neurological conditions that are so intertwined and so impossible to pick apart that professionals have stopped trying."
* READ C.L. LYNCH'S THOUGHT PROVOKING PERSPECTIVE *
Older Adults and Seniors
with Autism
There is little research available on older adults and seniors with autism, which can make understanding what they go through more difficult.
* EXPLORE THIS GUIDE CREATED BY RETIREGUIDE WHICH DELVES INTO SYMPTOMS, CHALLENGES AND SUPPORTS AVAILABLE FOR OLDER ADULTS WITH AUTISM AND THEIR CAREGIVERS. *
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Rewardingwork.org
Free Resource to Hire Caregivers
Are you looking to hire a caregiver? Rewarding Work helps individuals and families hire caregivers. Individuals and families eligible for DDS services may use www.rewardingwork.org to find and hire qualified support staff free of charge.
* REACH OUT FOR THE PASSCODE TO OBTAIN A FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO WWW.REWARDINGWORK.ORG AND SEARCH FOR QUALIFIED CAREGIVERS TODAY. *
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Persons Under Guardianship can Vote in Massachusetts
​While Massachusetts law makes persons under guardianship ineligible to vote in all elections, this provision has been interpreted by the Elections Division of the Massachusetts Secretary of State to refer only to guardianships that contain specific findings prohibiting voting.
* THEREFORE, A PERSON IN MASSACHUSETTS IS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE UNLESS THEY ARE SUBJECT TO A GUARDIANSHIP DECREE WHICH SPECIFICALLY PROHIBITS VOTING. *
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What if my Young Adult gets Child Support? Will that affect Government Benefits?
Child support payments must be court order paid into an irrevocable first party OBRA '93 special needs trust in order to preserve the full SSI payment and other Government benefits.
* THIS MEMO PREPARED BY FLETCHER TILTON, ATTORNEYS AT LAW, PROVIDES VALUABLE INFORMATION REGARDING FIRST PARTY OBRA '93 SPECIAL NEEDS TRUSTS. *
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Autistic Burnout: Signs, Causes and Recovery Strategies
Autistic burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and cognitive exhaustion that results from prolonged and intensive efforts to cope with the demands of the environment, especially in the case of camouflaging or masking.
* THIS BLOG EXPLORES WHAT AUTISTIC BURNOUT IS, HOW TO IDENTIFY ITS SIGNS, WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO THOSE WHO HAVE AUTSIM, THE CAUSES, AND HOW TO RECOVER FROM IT. ADDITIONALLY, THE IMPORTANCE OF PREVENTING BURNOUT FROM HAPPENING IN THE FIRST PLACE IS DISCUSSED. *
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Coalition for Real Lives Massachusetts
The Coalition for Real Lives Massachusetts is here to make it easier for families that include people with disabilities to get the services they choose and to make sure that the Commonwealth follows through on fully implementing the Real Lives Law.
* SIGN UP FOR ALERTS ON THE LATEST NEWS ABOUT THE REAL LIVES LAW, PROPOSED REGULATIONS, RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES THAT WANT TO USE REAL LIVES FUNDING, AND OPPORTUNITIES TO TAKE ACTION. *