Be Informed

Despite great strides and advances in disability rights, treatments and services available, and societal awareness, individuals with developmental disabilities such as autism continue to face tremendous obstacles in achieving an independent life in the setting of their choosing. Not only do individuals with these disabilities need to be self-advocates, but those who care about them and the community at large are also needed to advocate for the most vulnerable amongst us. The first step towards ensuring that individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities are able to achieve independence and a high quality of life is knowing the facts.

What is Autism?

"Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and is the result of a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain, impacting development in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. Both children and adults with autism typically show difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or play activities. " -Autism Society of America, "What is Autism" fact sheet.

About PDD
Autism is one of five disorders that falls under the umbrella of Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD), a category of neurological disorders characterized by “severe and pervasive impairment in several areas of development.”

The five disorders under PDD are:

Autistic Disorder
Asperger's Disorder
Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD)
Rett's Disorder
PDD-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)
Each of these disorders has specific diagnostic criteria which been outlined in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR).
(Information courtesy of Autism Society of America)

What is a developmental disability?

"Developmental disabilities are birth defects related to a problem with how a body part or body system works. They may also be known as functional birth defects. Many of these conditions affect multiple body parts or systems." National Institutes of Health, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Development.

There are numerous types of developmental disabilities,such as nervous system disabilities, sensory-related disabilities, metabolic disorders, and degenerative disorders. Autism is a developmental disability. For a comprehensive listing of the varying types of developmental disabilities, you can visit the National Institutes of Health fact page.

Prevalence of Autism

"Autism is the most common of the Pervasive Developmental Disorders, affecting an estimated **1 in 150 births (Centers for Disease Control Prevention, 2007). Roughly translated, this means as many as 1.5 million Americans today are believed to have some form of autism. And this number is on the rise.

Based on statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and other governmental agencies, autism is growing at a startling rate of 10-17 percent per year. At this rate, the ASA estimates that the prevalence of autism could reach 4 million Americans in the next decade.

Autism knows no racial, ethnic, social boundaries, family income, lifestyle, or educational levels and can affect any family, and any child.

And although the overall incidence of autism is consistent around the globe, it is four times more prevalent in boys than in girls. "- Autism Society of America, "What is Autism" fact sheet.
**The prevalence statistics were recently updated by the CDC to reflect a 1 in 110 estimated births.

"Approximately 13% of children have a developmental disability, ranging from mild disabilities such as speech and language impairments to serious developmental disabilities, such as intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and autism.", CDC- Data and Statistics, Autism Spectrum Disorders.
For more information on prevalence, visit the CDC's website.

Autism and Developmental Disabilities services

Children with autism and a developmental disability are eligible for education services that meet their needs under the United States' special education law, IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). To learn more about IDEA, visit the IDEA website. There are a number of laws under ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) that provide for accomodations, rights, etc. for adults with developmental and other disabilities. A comprehensive overview of those laws can be found at the U.S. Department of Justice, A Guide to Disability Rights Laws. There is no federal mandate that requires services be provided for adults with developmental disabilities, however there are many laws that enable states to access matching funds through Medicaid to subsidize/provide community support services, long-term services and supports for adults, as well as children in some cases. Each state has it's own government agency and policies on what, if any, community services are offered and available to adults with developmental disabilities. To learn more about Maryland's disabilities services system, please visit the Developmental Disabilities Administation website.

Waiting List for services
The demand for services, both for additional/auxiliary services for children outside of special education and adults services such as residential support, day habilitation with supported employment, etc. is great. In the state of Maryland, many individuals often spend several years on a waiting list for funding to receive services. Until 2010, DDA maintained one waiting list, but it is now divided into two, a list of individuals with current, immediate needs for services and a registry of individuals with "future needs", or those in need of services within three years. For more information about the waiting list, please visit End the Wait Now. As of February 2011, the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) reported over 5,300 children and adults with developmental disabilties, including those with autism, were waiting for DDA-funded community services. Over 1,100 of those individuals are in crisis categories. An additional 3,000 people are listed on the "Future Need" registry.

Legislative Alerts

Our Silence is hurting us- Protect Medicaid Funding!

Montgomery County Council Budget Hearings

Contact your senator to support the alcohol tax & waiting list fund!

Maryland Legislative Update, March 2011

March is Developmental Disabilities Month!

2012 Federal Budget Disability Fact Sheet
Protect the Montgomery County DDA Revenue Match- Ask your Councilmember to support the match
View a fact sheet on the Montgomery County Match