Massachusetts Advocacy
Autism Speaks advocates to protect the rights, services and supports of people with autism. We work with partners on the federal and state government levels, collaborating with advocates, other organizations and policy leaders to redefine possible for people with autism.
Because of our collective advocacy, we have helped secure federal funding for programs in Massachusetts and advanced policy that improves autism insurance coverage, autism research, healthcare training, lifespan services and safety for people with autism.
Because of state advocacy, Massachusetts...
- Has an autism insurance law requiring health plan coverage of relevant services, including applied behavior analysis (ABA), in state-regulated private insurance plans, with no age or dollar caps.
- Amended their state Medicaid plan to include ABA as a covered benefit.
- Increased direct service professional (DSP) wages, to help address a workforce shortage of DSPs who provide critical lifespan supports for people with autism.
Because of federal advocacy, Massachusetts...
- Research institutions have been awarded over $187.8 million in NIH autism research funding since FY15, including over $15.7 million in FY24 (most recent year available).
- Received funding to train future health professionals through the LEND program at two health & academic institutions, to provide better health care services for autistic people in Massachusetts (at Boston Children's Hospital in Boston & the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester).
- Received funding to train future developmental behavioral pediatricians at a DPB training program sites at Boston Children's Hospital, helping address the national shortage of DBPs who specialize in care for autistic children.
- Law enforcement agencies and other organizations have received seven grants because of Kevin and Avonte’s Law, to help prevent deaths and injuries associated with autistic individuals wandering from safety.