2012 State Autism Profiles
MARYLAND
DEMOGRAPHICS
In 2000, 2,304 or 2.06% of children ages 3-21 who received special education services in Maryland have autism. In 2010-2011, 8,829 or 8.53% of children with disabilities ages 3-21 who received special education services have autism.
Table 1-1: IDEA Part B - Children with Autism in Maryland for 1999-2000 and 2010-2011
(Child Count by Age Group)
| Child Count in 1999-2000 | Child Count in 2010-2011 | |
|---|---|---|
| Age 3-5 |
371 |
776 |
| Age 6-11 |
1,245 |
4,016 |
| Age 12-17 |
580 |
3,308 |
| Age 18-21 |
108 |
729 |
| Age 6-21 |
1,933 |
8,053 |
| Age 3-21 |
2,304 |
8,829 |
Source: Reported by the State of Maryland in accordance with Section 618 of IDEA to U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs
Table 1-2: IDEA Part B - Children with Disabilities in Maryland for 1999-2000 and 2010-2011
(Child Count by Age Group)
| Child Count in 1999-2000 | Child Count in 2010-2011 | |
|---|---|---|
| Age 3-5 |
10,003 |
12,875 |
| Age 6-11 |
48,922 |
41,084 |
| Age 12-17 |
48,969 |
43,534 |
| Age 18-21 |
4,183 |
5,997 |
| Age 6-21 |
102,074 |
90,615 |
| Age 3-21 |
112,077 |
103,490 |
STATE TASK FORCE
Autism Task Force
Maryland does not have an active task force on autism at this time. Previously, the Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Special Education/Early Intervention convened a task force in 1998 and delivered a final report, “Service Delivery Recommendations for Young Children with Autism,” on December 10, 2004. The task force was directed to determine existing services and identify the challenges faced with the delivery of those services. The task force was also charged with exploring funding opportunities for autism programs and proposing recommendations to improve Maryland’s autism programs. The findings indicated that children with autism were better served with more interaction and therapy than they were currently receiving. The task force also recommended an increase in training for individuals who diagnose and provide services for treating individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Finally, the task force recommended an increase in funding in order to implement the recommendations.
http://www.bcc-asa.org/AutismTaskForceMemoandReport.pdf
Maryland Commission on Autism
H.B. 503/S.B. 963 was approved by the governor on May 7, 2009, establishing the Maryland Commission on Autism to make recommendations to the Governor, General Assembly, and state agencies about services such as health care and education for individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Among the tasks the commission will complete by June 11, 2011 is a comprehensive statewide plan on an integrated system for the training, treatment, and services for children and adults with autism spectrum disorders. The commission is comprised of seventeen members, including representatives of higher education and special education, service providers (a speech language pathologist, diagnostician, mental health provider, and physician), parents of an individual with autism, nonprofit organizations, and other professionals with an interest in autism.
http://dhmh.maryland.gov/autism/
STATE INSURANCE COVERAGE
In February 2011, H.B. 783 and S.B. 759 were introduced by Delegate Reznik and Senator Klausmeier. Both bills would have required health plans to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder. The bills would have required health insurance coverage for the diagnosis and evidence-based, medically necessary treatment of autism spectrum disorders for individuals under the age of 21 years as prescribed or provided by a physician, licensed psychologist, speech-language pathologist, board certified behavioral analyst, or person under the supervision of the former. Evidence-based, medically necessary treatment included habilitative or rehabilitative care, pharmacy care, psychiatric care, psychological care, and speech generating devices. The bills were referred to the Senate Committee on Finance and the Assembly Committee on Health and Government Operations. After receiving unfavorable reports by both committees, H.B. 783 and S.B. 759 were withdrawn.
Maryland requires any health insurers or health maintenance organizations that provide hospital, medical and surgical benefits to individuals or groups shall also provide coverage for habilitative services for children with a congenital or genetic birth defect, which includes autism spectrum disorders and cerebral palsy. Habilitative services covered include occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech therapy. Health insurers are not required to cover services provided through school or early intervention services. Coverage is provided at a minimum at the same level as other conditions. (MD Bus Reg Code §15-835) Since 1994, Maryland has had a comprehensive mental health parity law that ensures insurance coverage for broad based mental health disorders. Mental health benefits are required to be equal to other health benefits, and there is no limit on benefits for psychiatric care annually or over a lifetime. (MD Bus Reg Code §15-802)
MEDICAID
Maryland Home and Community-Based Services Waiver: MD Waivers for Children w/Autism Spectrum Disorder (Autism Waiver)
In 1998, H.B. 99 was adopted authorizing the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) to apply for an autism-specific waiver. Approved in 2000, the Autism Waiver provides home and community-based services for children with autism. Children ages 1 to 3 with an individualized family service plan and ages 3 to 21 with an individualized education program who meet an institutional level of care are eligible. Services include respite care, environmental accessibility adaptations, family training, service coordination, supported employment, residential habilitation, intensive individual support services, and therapeutic integration. The waiver remains in effect until June 30, 2014.
http://www.cms.gov/MedicaidStWaivProgDemoPGI/MWDL/itemdetail.asp?filterType=dual,%20data&filterValue=Maryland&filterByDID=2&sortByDID=2&sortOrder=ascending&itemID=CMS1224088&intNumPerPage=2000
Other Waivers
In addition to the autism-specific waiver, Maryland offers two waivers – Community Pathways and New Directions Waivers – for children and adults with developmental disabilities, including autism spectrum disorders who qualify for medical assistance. Individuals must have full eligibility status as determined by DHMH Division of Eligibility Waiver Services. Services include case management, community residential services, community supported living arrangements, respite care, behavioral support, supported employment and adult day habilitation. The waivers are approved through July 1, 2013 and require renewal with CMS.
http://www.ddamaryland.org/waiver.htm
EDUCATION
Early Childhood Autism Workgroup
The Maryland State Department of Education convened a workgroup to study young children with autism spectrum disorders and to continue the work of the Autism Task Force.
http://www.autismconnectmd.org/inter/early_child.html
EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES
The Autism “Portal” Project
The Autism Portal Project was developed by the Maryland State Department of Education as a tool for parents, educators, and other professionals with an interest in autism to learn more about autism services provided in Maryland and by the department.
http://www.autismconnectmd.org/
OTHER STATE RESOURCES
Autism Spectrum Disorders Technical Advisory Group
In April 2012, H.B. 1055 and S.B. 744 passed unanimously in both the House and Senate. This legislation requires the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH), with the help of the Maryland Insurance Commissioner, to establish a Technical Advisory Group (TAG) composed of individuals with expertise in autism spectrum disorders. This group is tasked to determine the use of habilitative care for the treatment of autism spectrum disorders.
http://dhmh.maryland.gov/atag/SitePages/Home.aspx
Maryland Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Project
The MD-ADDM is part of a national project funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The project is seeking to develop programs to help accurately monitor the number of children with autism is each state. The program is administered at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health with the assistance of the Maryland State Department of Education.
Towson University Center for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders (CAASD)
CAASD was created in February 2008 to assist individuals with autism spectrum disorders as they transition from school-based services into adulthood, such as employment or advanced educational opportunities. The center provides resources to professionals, individuals with autism spectrum disorders and their families.
http://www.towson.edu/chp/caasd/
Adult Autism Care Training Program
H.B. 266/S.B. 306 were introduced on January 29, 2009 to authorize the Developmental Disabilities Administration to develop a training program for direct care staff who service adults with autism spectrum disorders. A service provider would be selected to develop and implement the training. In order to be eligible, the service provider must meet certain requirements, including; currently receive funding from the Developmental Disabilities Administration; have a training program that meets or exceeds the requirements for the administration’s training program; have a client base where at least 75% have autism; and provide services to a minimum of 100 residential clients and 100 individuals in supported employment or day habilitation. The legislation was referred to the Health and Government Operations Committee. No further action was taken.
STATE LEGISLATIVE CALENDAR
The Maryland General Assembly meets annually on the second Wednesday in January. The 2012 session convened on January 11, 2012 and adjourned on April 9, 2012. The 2013 session will convene on January 9, 2013 and is expected to adjourn by April 9, 2013.
http://mlis.state.md.us/
Sponsors of Autism Legislation:
Del. Peter A. Hammen (D-Baltimore City) District 46
Prepared by Easter Seals, Inc.; November 2012.
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