BALTIMORE, MD (July 10, 2009) – With the number of Maryland children and families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) growing annually, Governor O’Malley, Speaker Busch, other state officials and national experts gathered in Baltimore to begin charting new statewide approaches to health, education and employment services for children, adults and families of Marylanders with ASD. The Maryland Autism Summit follows in the wake of legislation that created the Maryland Commission on Autism, charged with developing “a comprehensive statewide plan for an integrated system of training, treatment, and services for individuals of all ages with Autism Spectrum Disorders.” 

“Today we take the first giant step to better address the growing needs of far too many Maryland families dealing with autism disorders,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “In our One Maryland, where we are united in our belief in the dignity of every individual, and our conviction that there is no such thing as a spare Marylander, we will continue working together to put our children and families first in these difficult times.” 

“We can no longer serve those with ASD in a piecemeal fashion. It’s alarming how many more Maryland families face this troubling diagnosis each year only to discover there is so much we as a nation have left undone,” said Michael E. Busch, Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates. “By bringing together state and national experts to learn the best available research, we can better serve Marylanders diagnosed with autism.” 

Ten years ago, 1,600 Maryland children with autism were being served by Maryland’s educational system.  Today, that number has grown to 7,500.  Yet, it remains unknown just how much of the increase is attributable to better diagnosis and how much to the prevalence of the disorder.  Currently, 2,300 students between the ages of 14 and 21 will be “aging out” of the public educational system over the next 5 years. The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) serves approximately 2,000 adults with autism through programs funded by the Developmental Disabilities and Mental Hygiene Administrations.   

“Autism Spectrum Disorder affects a growing number of Maryland residents, and its root cause is still being researched,” said State Superintendent of Schools Nancy S. Grasmick.  “This timely gathering will help provide state leaders with a better idea of the breadth of the challenge, as well as an understanding of the services that are available.” 

“Our challenge is great, but so is the challenge of every family facing autism,” said John M. Colmers, DHMH Secretary. “As we reach across state agencies and outside to our partners, we want to fashion a system that addresses these needs and provides the supports necessary to ensure that individuals with an Autism Spectrum Disorder have what they need to reach their potential.” 

Summit attendees include leaders, experts and representatives of the Maryland House of Delegates, the Maryland State Department of Education, the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the Maryland Department of Disabilities, the Maryland Department of Human Resources, the Maryland Insurance Administration, Kennedy Krieger Institute, the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare - Bureau of Autism Services, the Missouri Department of Mental Health and multiple ASD stakeholders. The summit was facilitated by the Milbank Memorial Fund, a non-profit foundation that works to improve health by helping decision makers in the public and private sectors. 

Renata Henry, DHMH Deputy Secretary for Behavioral Health and Disabilities will serve at Chair of the Maryland Commission on Autism. The full commission membership, prescribed by law, will be named at a later time.