Operation House Call (OHC) teaches students in medical, nursing, and allied health professional schools the essential skills and mindsets to enhance the health care of people with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
Led by The Arc of Massachusetts, OHC turns to families, parents, and individuals with IDD and autism as educators in a health care field that seldom focuses on more than making a diagnosis. Through OHC, students build confidence and interest in working with individuals with IDD and autism and their families.
Powered by hundreds of volunteer families, OHC educates more than 1,200 medical, nursing, and allied health professional students annually at seven partner schools.
We understand the power of advocacy. Our network of families and students provides crucial testimony in support of bills that will improve health equity for individuals with IDD and autism.
In 2023, The Arc helped pass legislation that codifies OHC into law. In our partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), schools can be certified for incorporating the full 6-hour OHC program into their curriculum.
More partners
coming soon!
“[I learned] more in one afternoon than I could have learned from any textbook. … I feel incredibly fortunate to have been part of OHC, and I know the lessons I learned will follow me throughout my nursing career.” – Yale School of Nursing student, 2025
Our partner schools provide funding toward OHC, but we require other support to maintain our growing program – including the generosity of donors like you. Please include explicit reference to OHC in your donation.
OHC host families have children (including teens and adults) with IDD and autism. Co-Teachers are individuals with IDD and autism who share about their lives in our didactic classroom sessions. Fill out our Interest Form to learn more about how to get involved!
Our Connecticut and Massachusetts teams would love to hear from you. Please reach out at any time with questions, ideas, or opportunities.
Helen: The Journal of Human Exceptionality: You Can’t Learn to Swim on the Shore: Teaching Medical Students Based on Lived Experience with IDD and Autism
September 14, 2025
Medscape: Many Medical Schools Lacking Crucial Education on Autism
March 25, 2025
Helen: The Journal of Human Exceptionality: How One Experience Changed the Way I Approach Medicine
November 14, 2024
Helen: The Journal of Human Exceptionality: Medical Training That Promotes Equitable Healthcare for Individuals with IDD
July 14, 2024
The Nation’s Health: Program Trains Health Students to Care for People with IDD
June 2024
State House News Service: Mass. pols say overdue 2024 budget ‘worth the wait’
August 13, 2023
Brandeis University: Disability Research for a New Generation
Summer 2023
PandA Pod: Is There A Doctor In The Pod?
March 7, 2023
Uniquely Human: Preparing Future Doctors and Medical staff to Support Autistic Individuals
February 17, 2023
UMass: Operation House Call pairs medical students, special needs families for lessons in compassionate care
September 7, 2022
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