Supporting You Every Step of the Way 

The Boston Ability Center recognizes that raising children of all abilities can be challenging. We seek to empower families through the sharing of knowledge and to support families through simple acts of caring. 

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This page is an extension of that mission - a place where you’ll find trusted resources to help you better understand your child’s needs, access local and national supports, and advocate with confidence.

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At the Boston Ability Center, our goal is to create a community where children develop skills and friendships - and where families feel empowered by knowledge and support, every step of the way.

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Therapy Associations and Professional Organizations

Trusted national organizations that provide evidence-based guidance, advocacy, and caregiver-friendly resources

• American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) 

• American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) 

• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) 

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Child Development & General Support

Organizations that support families in understanding & promoting healthy development in all children

• American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP): A trusted source for pediatric health and development guidelines, including tips for promoting mental wellness, understanding developmental milestones, and partnering with your child’s care team.

• CDC’s "Learn the Signs. Act Early.": Developmental milestone checklists and tools to track your child’s growth.

• Zero to Three: Research-backed resources for supporting babies, toddlers, and their families.

• Pathways.org: Free, expert-backed resources on sensory, motor, and communication development

• Understood: A parent-friendly hub of strength-based resources for children with learning and thinking differences, including ADHD, dyslexia, and more.

• Sesame Street Workshop - printables, videos, games and more to promote healthy minds & bodies and help families navigate "tough topics" (e.g. divorce, grief, emergencies) 

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Medical & Genetic Conditions

Credible resources for diagnosis-specific information

• National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS)

• Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress (MDSC)

• Children's Hemiplegia and Stroke Association (CHASA)

• Cerebral Palsy Family Network (CPFN)

• National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)

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Neurodiversity, Autism, ADHD

Affirming organizations for support and advocacy

• Embrace Autism 

• Neurodiversity Hub

• Neurodiversity Alliance

• Autism Level Up!

• Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN)

• The Color of Autism Foundation 

• Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD)

• Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA) – adult ADHD support (great for caregivers with ADHD)

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Child and Family Safety 

Trusted information about keeping children safe at home, in the community, and on the go.

• United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) - Recalls and Product Safety Warnings ​

• Baby Safety Foundation - information on safe sleep practices, car seat safety, babyproofing, and more

• Safe Kids Worldwide - injury prevention education (traffic safety, drownings, falls, burns, poisonings, and more)

• ​Autism Society’s Safety on the Spectrum™: Water and Wandering Program - a national effort to increase water safety education and training across the Autism community (features visual supports, social stories, and more) 

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Local Resources

Whether you're navigating the educational environment, seeking legal advocacy, or searching for inclusive programs, we are grateful for the like-minded local groups who are here to help!

• Federation for Children with Special Needs

• Massachusetts Advocates For Children

• SPED Child Mass: events for families with special needs & disabilities. ​​Conferences, workshops, speaker events, accessible and adaptive recreation programs serving the Greater Massachusetts’ communities

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Know a great resource we missed?

This list is not exhaustive by any means, and we’re always looking to grow our collection of trusted resources.

If you have a recommendation you’d like to share, please contact us. We’d love to hear from you!

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