Start with a master guide
Each guide gathers every related tool and resource in one place, in plain English.
Resources & Tools
Disability Resources for Massachusetts Families
Free IEP help, Early Intervention, MassHealth, financial planning, and local providers, built by Massachusetts moms raising kids with disabilities. Start with where you are right now.
The MAK 2026 Halloween Guide
Practical help for making Halloween more flexible, accessible, and enjoyable for your family. Free, sponsored by Tutela.
See the Halloween guide
Navigate the System
Guides & Tools
Find Support
Free Printable
50 Things I Wish I'd Known Sooner
A free letter for moms of kids with disabilities: IEPs, marriage, money, grief, and grace.
Free Printable
IEP Meeting Prep Kit
Fill-in worksheet, 12 must-ask questions, and 'say this not that' scripts.
Free Printable
First 30 Days Survival Binder
The exact calls to make, scripts to say, and forms to fill, week by week.
Get The Village Update
One email a month: new guides, local events, and the things other Massachusetts moms wish they had known sooner.
Common questions from Massachusetts parents
Where do I start if my child was just diagnosed in Massachusetts?
Start with our Just Diagnosed page. If your child is under 3, you can request an Early Intervention evaluation yourself, no doctor referral required. From age 3, special education services come through your school district. Learn more
How do I get an IEP for my child in Massachusetts?
Send a written request for an evaluation to your school district. Our IEP Advocacy Hub walks you through the timelines, meeting prep, and letter templates. Learn more
Can my child get MassHealth because of a disability?
Many children with disabilities qualify for MassHealth coverage, including through CommonHealth, which does not have an income limit. Our MassHealth guide explains the options. Learn more
How do I find therapists and inclusive programs near me?
Search our free Massachusetts provider directory by service and town. Listings come from local families and businesses. Learn more
Things we wish someone told us
Real, specific tips from parents who've been through it — not generic advice.
FCSN answers your special education questions for free.
The Federation for Children with Special Needs runs a free Information Center staffed Monday through Friday, plus free Basic Rights workshops across Massachusetts. Call (800) 331-0688 and a trained information specialist will help you understand your rights, including when to bring in an advocate.
FCSN Information CenterYou can ask to record an IEP meeting, but everyone in the room must agree.
Massachusetts is an all-party consent state, so secretly recording a meeting is a crime. If you want a recording, email the team chair a few days before the meeting to ask. If they say no, bring someone to take notes and request the meeting notes afterward.
Mass. law about wiretappingYou can request an Independent Educational Evaluation at the district's expense.
If you disagree with the school's evaluation, you have the right to request an IEE paid for by the district. The school must either agree or file for a hearing to defend its own evaluation.
MA Parent's Notice of Procedural SafeguardsMassachusetts has a 45-day deadline for evaluations.
Once you give written consent, the school has 45 school working days to complete the evaluation. If they miss it, document everything. It strengthens your case.
603 CMR 28.06 (DESE)You can file with the BSEA if the school won't comply.
The Bureau of Special Education Appeals handles disputes between families and schools. Filing is free, and you don't need a lawyer to do it.
BSEAHave a tip that helped your family? Share it with us →
Sibling Resources
Your other kids are watching, adapting, and carrying more than they say. These are for them.
Sibshops
ProgramsPeer support programs designed specifically for siblings of kids with special needs. Fun, not therapy.
The Sibling Support Project
NationalBooks, activities, and guides to help siblings process big feelings about their brother or sister's disability.
Books for Siblings
ReadingAge-appropriate reads like 'Views from Our Shoes' and 'My Brother Charlie' that help siblings feel seen.
NAMI MA — Family Programs
FreeFree support groups for the whole family, including sibling-specific resources and referrals.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not professional medical, legal, or educational advice. Always consult qualified professionals for your child's specific needs. Full disclaimer →