Together, We Improve Autism Awareness, Education, and Research
There are a number of autism resources and local organizations that help support our local autism community. Just as we fulfill the education and therapeutic component, others provide more of an advocacy and support group role. Listed below are a few such autism organizations that you are encouraged to contact for extra guidance.
Autism Society of Baltimore/Chesapeake Chapter
The Autism Society of Baltimore-Chesapeake is a volunteer organization founded in 1976. It was created to help serve Maryland families of children and adults with autism spectrum disorders. The organization provides information, advocacy and support for families and individuals with autism.
Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks was founded in February 2005 by Bob and Suzanne Wright, grandparents of a child with autism. Their longtime friend Bernie Marcus donated $25 million to help financially launch the organization. Since then, Autism Speaks has grown into the nation’s largest autism science and advocacy organization, dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families.
Among other tools, Autism Speaks created the “100 Day Kit” for newly diagnosed families to make the best possible use of the 100 days following their child’s diagnosis of autism. “100 Day Kit”
Pathfinders for Autism
Pathfinders for Autism was established as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in February 2000 by parents of children with autism, including Baltimore Orioles Hall of Famer William “B.J.” Surhoff, his wife Polly Winde Surhoff. After 18 months of development, Pathfinders for Autism launched the Pathfinders for Autism Resource Center – offering knowledgeable staff and a searchable online database to help families in Maryland find critical service providers quickly and efficiently.
Since then, Pathfinders for Autism has grown into the State’s largest autism organization dedicated to helping individuals, parents and professionals find resources, supports and training while working to increase the awareness of autism spectrum disorders and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families.
Real Look Autism
Founded by local news anchor, Marybeth Marsden, Real Look Autism, Growing Up on the Spectrum, provides a forum for parents of children with autism to share their stories in an effort to help the autism community at large benefit from each other’s experiences.