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Department of Disabilities

Autism Resources

Adults

Maryland State Government 

  • Waiver programs - These programs offer services within the community. This is for people with big health care needs. These programs are so that people who need specialized care can live in their communities.
    • Model Waiver - The Model Waiver funds home-based medical care for individuals aged 21 and younger who have extensive healthcare needs that would otherwise require institutionalization. To qualify, participants cannot be enrolled in any other waiver program, and the cost of their home care must be less than the cost of institutional care.
    • DDA Medicaid Waivers - Maryland’s Developmental Disabilities Administration uses Medicaid funding to support individuals with lifelong disabilities. To qualify, an assessment must show that a person needs daily assistance with basic tasks—like dressing, communicating, or staying safe. By providing in-home support and employment services, the high-demand program helps individuals live safely in their communities rather than in specialized care facilities.
  • MD Developmental Disabilities Council - The Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council (DD Council) advocates for policy changes to support people with developmental disabilities. They write publications and fund projects. 

Caregivers/Families

Maryland State Government

  • Maryland State Department of Education - The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) has information about school rules, the rights of students and families, and what you’re supposed to learn in each grade. 
    • MSDE Division of Special Education - The department which supports special education students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). They have resources about IEPs, students' and families' rights on their website.  They also work on best practices for the state of Maryland on IEPs.
  • MD Developmental Disabilities Council - The Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council (DD Council) advocates for policy changes to support people with developmental disabilities. They write publications and fund projects. 
  • Waiver programs - These programs offer services within the community. This is for people with big health care needs. These programs are so that people who need specialized care can live in their communities instead of institutions.
    • Autism Waiver - The Autism Waiver pays for healthcare of autistic children and youth. For eligible children, it funds healthcare costs.
      • Maryland Autism Waiver - This fact sheet provides information on the Waiver program, which is housed in the Maryland Department of Special Education. 
    • Model Waiver - The Model Waiver funds medical care to help children and youth with large health care needs. These needs are the kind which is only available in an institution.  People who receive support are 21 or younger and this is the only waiver they are on. Also, the cost of their home care is less than paying for them to live in an institution.
    • Developmental Disabilities Administration Medicaid Waivers - The Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) in Maryland runs three special Medicaid programs. To be eligible, applicants must meet specific technical, medical, and financial criteria initially and on an ongoing basis. 
  • Maryland ABLE - This is an option for people diagnosed with autism to save money in a way which is protected from means tested services.  ABLE accounts are a resource for Maryland ABLE accounts provide a way to help individuals with disabilities save money and pay for qualified disability-related expenses without jeopardizing state or federal means-tested benefits such as SSI or Medicaid. 

Our Community Partners

  • People on the Go - People On the Go Maryland (People On the Go) has support groups across Maryland and resources about independence for people with disabilities. They are a statewide self-advocacy group that is run for and by those with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. 
  • Autism on the Go - Autism on the Go has virtual events for autistic people to connect with and learn from each other.  They are connected with People on the Go. 
  • Autism Housing Network (AHN) - AHN is a resource hub to find, create, and learn about accessible housing for autistic people. This is a project of the Madison House Autism Foundation.
  • Maryland Autism Coalition - The Maryland Autism Coalition has resources for the safety of autistic people. 
  • Autistic Self Advocacy Network - A non-profit which creates resources, advocacy tools, leadership trainings, and policy advocacy for autistic people. 
  • Lower Shore Autism Community - The Lower Shore Autism Community provides support groups and events for people in the area, with the goal of building a community of mutual support through resources and programming. 
  • Itineris - Itineris provides behavioral services, day programming, and also support with employment.  They also provide professional training and consulting for those who are looking to learn more about autism, neurodiversity, and other topics.
  • Disability Rights Maryland - DRM provides free legal support for matters in their area of work. They focus on disability-related matters. They also review the law and help advocate for people with disabilities.
  • Autism Society of Maryland - The Autism Society of Maryland runs programs to help support people in the community. They have support groups, resources to train.  They serve individuals on the autism spectrum, their families, and their communities by providing information, support, and advocacy. 
  • Madison House Autism Foundation - Madison House Autism Foundation works to improve the health and wellbeing of adults on the spectrum throughout the lifespan and across the country.  They focus on identifying housing resources. 
  • Parent's Place Maryland (PPMD) - Parents’ Place supports thousands of Maryland families each year in advocating for their kids in educational and medical environments. PPMD is staffed primarily by parents who have faced these challenges to help other families become effective voices for their own children. Their resources include many documents to support educational advocacy in both English and Spanish, and they also have parents employed to help others advocate for their children. 
  • Kennedy Krieger Center for Autism Services - Provides many different kinds of therapeutic and medical supports for autistic children and adults.  This includes inpatient and day hospital programs, outpatient clinics, home and community services, education, and research.

Miscellaneous Resources