Autism Spectrum Center

Family Education & Support

Family education guides and fact sheets

For family education guides and fact sheets, please visit the Boston Children's Hospital Health Education Library.

Parent/caregiver support

Taking care of yourself allows you to take better care of your child. We encourage you to do activities to help you relax and make you feel good, like joining support groups, exercising, reading, or taking part in a relaxation or meditation program. Check out these resources offered at Boston Children’s and in the community:

Insurance resources

Children with autism may be eligible for MassHealth insurance plans, either as primary insurance or in addition to their current private insurance plan. We recommend you learn more.

Bullying prevention

Because children with autism have more social and communication challenges, they are at a higher risk of being bullied. Kids who are bullied and those who bully others may have serious, lasting problems. While bullying can happen at any age, bullying during adolescent years can be really hard. Boston Children’s has a clinic to address bullying (the Bullying and Cyberbullying Prevention and Advocacy Collaborative [BACPAC]). Here are some other links to help you learn more about bullying and advocating for your child.

Sibling support

If you have more than one child, you know that all your children need your attention. But when you have a child with autism, it can be hard to balance your time. These resources can help.

Individualized Education Plan (IEP)/School Supports

In the state of Massachusetts, Public Education Law, Ch. 766 M.G.L. c. 71B, §§ 1 - 16 guarantees a "free and appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment" to all school-aged children (ages 3 to 21) regardless of disability. For resources and more information on the IEP process, visit: