Free Worcester is conducting a comprehensive study of parents and caretakers of children with autism, analyzing the results, publishing a report on our findings, and developing a resource page that is responsive to the needs expressed by our respondents. Through this, we hope to inform service providers and policymakers of the challenges and barriers families and caretakers face when searching for and accessing autism services in Worcester. We also hope to address gaps in awareness regarding existing services and the processes to access them.

Identifying barriers and bringing caretakers and providers together.

Lack of access to services or knowledge of support is a critical issue for families and caretakers advocating for students with autism. It is vital for children with autism to receive support, whether through ABA services, an IEP, or other means. When their families and caretakers are unaware of services or unable to access them, they may not receive all the assistance they need and deserve. To enable children with autism in our community to thrive, it is crucial to identify situations where families and caretakers from all economic and demographic backgrounds encounter barriers in accessing services. Identifying the specific barriers encountered in Worcester will enable advocates, service providers, and policymakers to address them.