New Center Director
Worcester, MA, August 16, 2021 – HMEA’s Autism Resource Central (The Center) has named Kristen Cariglia as its new Director. In her new role, Cariglia’s leadership vision is to continue…
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A Message from Jane Ryder DDS Commissioner
COVID-19 Restrictions Lifted On May 29, the Commonwealth lifted COVID-19 restrictions, except in certain settings including group homes, day programs, and transportation. Important COVID-19 protocols on surveillance testing, PPE, and…
We Are Here For You During the Pandemic
Read more about our response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resources we offer for the individuals and families we serve.
Meet Our Newest Advisory Council Member, Stephen Perkins
Stephen’s Story Life Without a Clue At the age of 61, I was tested and told that I am on the autism spectrum. It has been a blessing for me…
Chris Sharry
2019 Team HARC 2019 New Balance Falmouth Road Race Runner Profile Fun Facts about Chris Have you ran another race longer than 7 miles? I have ran the Providence…
AFAM Advocacy – Nicky’s Law
By Cheryl Chan Cheryl Chan addressed the crowd of 300 people on Autism Advocacy Day, speaking about Nicky’s Law. For those who were unable to attend this year we share…
We can do it … Together
We can do it.. Together.. One step at a time.. By Jaya Pandey This morning on my way to the city All I could think of “1 in 52”. Playing…
NEWS FOR FAMILIES
A Message to DDS Families from Commissioner Jane Ryder
March 24, 2021 Dear DDS Community: Just over a year ago, I sent my first “Coronavirus update” to the DDS community. We shared the Governor’s declaration of a State of…
Mission Possible
By Mary Loughlin MS OTR/L Thirty years ago, I had my first son, and although he wasn’t diagnosed with autism for another almost 4 years, even as an infant, he…
Be an Autism Super Hero
My life is chaos. That kind of comes with the territory when you have 4 neurotypical kids. Not just “what do you MEAN you can’t find your shoes?!” chaos, though…
Steps to Independence
By Amy Smith Long time Center members may remember another time that this young man packed his bags for a trip to Jacob’s World. For those who don’t remember…
Finding My Zen
By Sue Loring In 1988, when my son was three, and we were anxiously seeking an answer to what was causing his language delay, his seeming lack of need…
Circle Life
by Cynthia Gauthier Last night as I was drifting off to sleep I heard from across the hall your still childlike voice, rambling off a new string of…
Making of a village. A desi one.
by Jaya Pandey The energy, the laughter, the happiness and the excitement in that room was so obvious, for a moment I forgot that these are the moms whose…
Prom Night
By Jaya Pandey Driving back from High school parking lot was very difficult. Last Friday was junior year prom and Anand decided to go. It was kind of last minute…
Parents are the Change Agents – Thank you MFOFC
By Jaya Pandey As parents, we are everything for our kids, a friend of mine says –job description- cook, teacher, driver, cleaner, launder, planner, organizer, care taker, personal assistant,…
NEWS FOR ADULTS
Autism ….Not Obstacle – By Robert Papazian
The last Sunday of April used to be one of my favorite days of the year. There were two reasons for that. First, the Autism Resource Center’s annual walk/5k happened…
Ryan’s Voice
By Ryan Litchfield, Autism and Disability Self-Advocate Ryan spent time as an intern at the Center a few years ago and wrote about his experience as person with autism.…
The Challenges of Work
by Michael Comeau My first job was a Greeter at Friendly’s. My dad was working as a dishwasher on the weekends for some extra spending money. They loved him there,…
NEWS FOR PROFESSIONALS
Mission Possible
By Mary Loughlin MS OTR/L Thirty years ago, I had my first son, and although he wasn’t diagnosed with autism for another almost 4 years, even as an infant, he…
Ryan’s Voice
By Ryan Litchfield, Autism and Disability Self-Advocate Ryan spent time as an intern at the Center a few years ago and wrote about his experience as person with autism.…