The Massachusetts Autistic Self Advocacy Alliance (MASAA) is a grassroots organization run by and for Autistic individuals across the Commonwealth. We believe that Autistic people are the ultimate experts on our own lives, needs, and futures.

While many organizations focus on "cures" or behavioral suppression, MASAA operates on the Neurodiversity Paradigm. We view autism as a natural variation of the human experience—one that brings unique strengths, perspectives, and challenges that deserve respect, accommodation, and celebration.

For too long, the conversation around autism in Massachusetts was dominated by professionals and parents, often leaving the very people being discussed out of the room. In 2025, a small group of Autistic advocates from across the Commonwealth, stretching from the Berkshires to the Cape, came together with a shared realization: Massachusetts needed a unified, self-led political and social voice.

We saw a gap between the services being offered and the actual lived experiences of our community. We realized that while "awareness" was high, true civil rights and autonomy were still out of reach for many.

MASAA was founded on the principle that advocacy is most effective when it is collective. Our founders—a diverse group of students, professionals, and activists—sought to create an organization that moved away from the "charity model" of disability.

Instead of looking for a "fix," they looked for justice. They built MASAA to serve as a central hub where the Autistic community could:

Since our official launch, MASAA has grown from a handful of dedicated volunteers into a statewide force. We have remained true to our founding promise: MASAA will always be led by Autistic people.