Please note: The Autism Program at Boston Medical Center is a family resource and support program. If you are looking for an evaluation for autism, or other information about clinical care including making an appointment with one of our clinicians, wait times, or referrals, please contact Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics at 617.414.4841.
Direct Patient Care and Support
The Autism Program is an extension of care for patients and families seen in Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics at Boston Medical Center. Our team is committed to assisting and empowering patients and their families to meet their goals through:
Autism Resource Specialists (ARS) are available upon diagnosis and beyond to offer support, information, and assistance to families.
Navigating School Services and Therapies:
- Helping and empowering caregivers through the IEP process
- Supporting referrals to therapies such as ABA, speech, and OT
Linking Families to Community Based Support Agencies such as:
- Department of Developmental Services (DDS)
- Social Security (SSI)
- Local Autism Support Center
- Recreation programs and social skills groups
Providing Individualized Support around Specific Behaviors by Phone or In Clinic:
- Managing challenging behaviors
- Increasing independent living skills
- Developing alternative communication strategies
- Using visual schedules and routines
- Creating social stories
The Autism Program is available to provide support throughout the hospital to patients with autism, their families, and their clinical teams, to assure that medical appointments and procedures go most smoothly. This support is specifically helpful for patients who are fearful or anxious of the clinical environment or procedures, may have communication limitations, sensory sensitives, or require more behavioral support. Our hospital-wide autism resource specialists will work with patients and families to identify any pre-visit planning and resources that may be helpful, as well as provide day of support if needed. Autism program staff can also act a liaison between clinicians and families to assure questions are answered and the unique communication, behavior and sensory needs of the patient are shared. We have supported many different types of visits across a range of locations and procedures including: blood draws, eye exams, dental visits, vaccine administration, EEG/MRI, pulmonary treatments, and during emergency room and inpatient stays. Consultations can be requested by clinicians/staff of Boston Medical Center OR families in advance of a scheduled appointment or admissions. Please contact us at autismprogram@bmc.org or 617-414-3842 for more information about our hospital-wide consultations, or to inquire about getting support.
The Behavior Clinic provides short-term (4-6 visits) behavior consultations to patients and their families. Patients referred to the clinic typically engage in significantly challenging or potentially dangerous behaviors at home or in the community.
The Autism Program’s Transition-to-Adulthood work provides education, assistance, and support to teenage patients (and their families) who are transitioning to adulthood:
Individualized Support and Consultation:
- Topics covered: school services, independence and life skills, guardianship, adult service agencies, government benefits, employment, goal setting, and vision planning
Resource Development and Education:
- Developing and maintaining transition resource library available to patients and the public
- Empowering families to go through the transition process with knowledge and resources
Collaborative Approach:
- Working with both youth and their families to set goals
- Collaborate with community partners, schools, service agencies