Autism Spectrum Center | Boston Children's Hospital Resources

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Learn more about our autism programs and resources, including behavioral supports for hospital visits, our family support team, lecture series, and e-newsletter.

Autism Spectrum Center Family Support Team

Our family support team can help you to find therapies and supports services for your child. Our team includes patient and family educators, social workers, and Child Life specialists. Contact the center or your provider for more information.

My Hospital Story

These visual, child-friendly stories prepare all children, including those with autism, for their visit or procedure. These stories have simple descriptions and photos of different places your child may visit in the hospital. They show what the rooms look like, the people they might meet, and what might happen. Check out our My Hospital Stories at myhospitalstory.org or Child Life Services.

Behavioral Support Plan

Children with autism may need additional support during their visit, especially if medical visits make them anxious, upset, or aggressive. That’s why we offer the ability to create a Patient Support Plan (PSP), a behavioral plan that helps make appointments as easy and comfortable as possible for children with autism. The plan lets us know things that might upset your child — like bright lights, certain sounds, or being touched — and lists some options that might help, such as having a toy available.

If you feel your child would benefit from the added support of a PSP, please speak with your health care provider or call the Autism Spectrum Center at 617-355-7493.

General patient and family resources

Boston Children’s has general patient resources to support your family before, during and after your visit. Our resources include interpreters, social workers, Child Life specialists, and the Hale Family Center for Families.

Autism Lecture Series

These presentations given by our expert faculty and guests cover a wide variety of topics on autism that are important to our families. These lectures take place several times over the year, and you can attend in person or online. Most presentations are recorded, so you can watch them at any time.

Presentations are usually held from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Folkman Auditorium at Boston Children’s main campus (300 Longwood Ave., Boston). The auditorium is in the Enders Building, to the right of the main hospital building.

Free parking is available at the main parking garage across the street from the hospital. You will get a parking voucher at the event.

Have an idea for a lecture? Contact the Autism Spectrum Center.