About Autism Welcoming℠
Autism Welcoming provides training and certification to businesses, with the goal of building inclusive communities for people with autism and their families. Our hands-on certification process takes into account the unique needs of each business, helping organizations make small but impactful changes to create a welcoming environment for people with autism and sensory sensitivities. Our Autism Welcoming Certified Business Directory allows individuals and families to identify welcoming businesses in their communities.

Our Story
Autism Welcoming launched in 2019 as an initiative of Autism Alliance, a program of Massachusetts-based human service organization Advocates. Through their lived and professional experience, the Autism Welcoming team knew that even everyday outings can present challenges for individuals and families with autism. They also knew that, with training and minor but thoughtful accommodations, businesses could make a world of difference.
Since 2019, the program has grown significantly. More than sixty businesses have been certified, and the program opened a multi-use location in the Natick Mall in 2024. As we grow, our mission remains the same: to create inclusive and accessible spaces that help our communities thrive.
Recent News

Autism Welcoming is experiencing fantastic growth, with businesses across the region, state, and country adopting inclusive practices and welcoming diverse clientele. We’re grateful to the many individuals and media outlets helping us to spread the word about the importance of Autism Welcoming business practices.
Get In Touch

We always appreciate connecting with individuals, families, businesses, and media partners. If you’d like to share a story about an Autism Welcoming experience or learn more about our training and certification program, we’d love to hear from you.
Our Team




Our Supporters







Autism Welcoming℠
Certified Business Directory
Certified Business Directory
Here you’ll find businesses that have completed the Autism Welcoming certification process. These businesses have received customized training on how to welcome individuals with autism and their families, and they have adopted practices designed to make experiences easier for those with autism and other sensory sensitivities.