Autism & Disability Navigation

Complex diagnoses, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), can challenge a family or individual’s journey and identity.
The systems that become involved can help, or they can make things feel worse.

District offers a team with decades of expertise in navigating the disability landscape
for individuals of any age.

How does it work?

After an initial, no-cost consultation to understand your situation, you will be matched with a District Associate who is best able to meet your needs. Your partnership can last for as long or as short as you’d like - some families have a specific goal in mind, whereas others appreciate an ongoing, supportive relationship to meet new challenges as they arise. Autism & Disability Navigation is not currently reimbursable through health insurance. Services offered virtually.

What can District help me with?

The spectrum of disability is wide, and so are the range of services that we can support you with. Some families are new to their complex diagnosis and don’t know where to begin. Others are deeper into their journey and want to make sure they’re on the right track. Some families have one specific challenge in mind that they’d like some extra power behind. Regardless of where you fit, we encourage you to contact us so that we can understand more.

Services include:

  • Navigating the diagnosis:

    • Understanding your new diagnosis

    • Building an individualized care plan

    • Collaborating and coordinating with medical/therapeutic providers

    • Building autonomy

    • Caregiving & safety strategies

    • Enrollment support into public special education systems

    • Healthcare advocacy

    • Navigating guardianship/supportive decision making

  • Connections to:

    • Medical/therapeutic providers (e.g. Applied Behavior Analysis, Augmentative & Alternative Communication evaluation)

    • Disability-friendly personal services (e.g. hair salons, dentists) and family programming (e.g. movies, restaurants)

    • Peers (for individuals, caregivers, siblings)

    • Social and recreational activities (e.g. camp, adaptive sports, swim, music, art)

    • Alternative therapies (equine therapy, aquatic therapy)

    • Massachusetts CBHI programs including In-Home Therapy (IHT) and Therapeutic Mentors (TM)

  • Understanding and accessing qualified:

    • Government benefits (e.g. Department of Disability Services)

    • Personal Care Assistant services

    • Secondary medical insurance

    • Handicap placards

    • Tracking devices

    • Door alarms

    • Window guards

    • Adaptive strollers

    • Cubby beds

    • Travel accommodations

“My child was diagnosed with autism at age 3 and I didn’t know I could get special education services for them. I thought I had to wait until she was 5.”
“I never knew that I could get a letter to support my son’s needs when we’re traveling on an airplane.”
“No one told me about mobile crisis services for when things feel dangerously dysregulated at home.”
“There is so much paperwork to submit with the DDS application. Liz helped me organize it all, fill out the application, and follow up after the application was submitted. She even helped me advocate for more DDS funding.”
“Health insurance is so confusing to me. Hillary helped me apply for MassHealth Secondary Insurance and connected me to the right people to answer all my questions.”
“They made me a binder with all of my important reports, contact information, and care planning information. It’s been a lifesaver.”
Illustration of the state of Massachusetts highlighted against a broader image of New England the ocean.

Services available virtually throughout Massachusetts

Contact us to
schedule your free consultation.