Lifeworks, a nonprofit human services provider that supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, is expanding its community-based autism services to include adult autism support in 40 communities in the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) Boston Metro Region, in addition to its existing youth and family autism services in Newton and parts of Norfolk county.

Lifeworks will establish an Adult Autism Support Center within its West Roxbury office that will help individuals and families navigate available autism-related services, provide workshops and caregiver training, and participate in enriching social and recreational activities.

“It’s a privilege to expand our autism support services in the DDS Metro Boston Region,” said Daniel Sullivan, Vice President of Quality and Community Services at Lifeworks.  “We look forward to providing our comprehensive supports and services as we establish new community connections and partnerships.”

As part of this effort, Lifeworks will appoint an Assistant Director of Adult Services, add two new adult autism support specialists, and form new collaborations with advocacy organizations, employers, law enforcement and other community partners.

Lifeworks has a long history of providing autism supports and its Family Autism Center based at its headquarters in Westwood has grown to serve nearly 1,000 individuals in the Newton/South Norfolk area.  Under its new DDS contract, Lifeworks will now provide Adult Autism Support Center services in the following DDS areas:

·         Greater Boston – Boston, Brookline, Chelsea, Revere, Winthrop

·         Charles River West – Belmont, Cambridge, Somerville, Waltham, Watertown

·         Middlesex West – Ashland, Dover, Framingham, Holliston, Hopkinton, Hudson, Marlborough, Natick, Northborough, Sherborn, Southborough, Sudbury, Wayland, Westborough

·         Newton/South Norfolk – Canton, Dedham, Foxborough, Medfield, Millis, Needham, Newton, Norfolk, Norwood, Plainville, Sharon, Walpole, Wellesley, Weston, Westwood, Wrentham

Lifeworks will now support the entire age range of individuals with autism: the family program supports children and youths and the adult program supports those ages 18 and older.  In addition to the supports offered by these two programs, Lifeworks also provides case management for the DDS Autism Waiver Program.  This program helps eligible children remain in their homes and actively participate in their communities through in-home behavioral services and funding for community programs & safety items.