County resource guide
Charles County, Maryland
Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in Charles County. Maryland statewide resources also apply.
Local providers
5 listedDiagnostic clinics
Formal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Kennedy Krieger Institute — Autism Programs
Baltimore · serves multiple counties
One of the world's foremost centers for autism research and clinical care, headquartered in Baltimore. The Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) at Kennedy Krieger offers comprehensive diagnostic evaluations, behavioral treatment, and specialized programs for complex presentations. An Autism Treatment Network (ATN) site and federally designated Center of Excellence. Families travel from across Maryland and the mid-Atlantic region for care here.
La Plata
MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital — Developmental Pediatrics
Developmental pediatrics referral services through MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital in La Plata, serving Charles County and the broader southern Maryland region. Coordinates with Kennedy Krieger and Children's National for complex evaluations.
ABA therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Waldorf · multi-county
Helping Hands Behavioral Solutions — Southern MD
In-home ABA therapy serving Charles, St. Mary's, and Calvert counties. BCBA-supervised with a naturalistic developmental behavioral approach. Accepts Maryland Medicaid and most commercial insurance under Maryland's ABA mandate.
In-home model well-suited for southern Maryland's suburban/rural geography.
Parent & family support
Parent groups, sibling programs, and family peer support.
Waldorf · multi-county
Southern Maryland Autism Support Group
Parent-led support group for families of autistic children and adults in Charles, St. Mary's, and Calvert counties. Monthly gatherings, resource sharing, and peer connections in a fast-growing suburban region with limited local autism-specific services.
Advocacy & legal
Legal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
La Plata · multi-county
The Arc of the Chesapeake — Southern Maryland
Advocacy, family support, employment services, and residential support for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Charles and neighboring southern Maryland counties. Important transition planning resource for families approaching adulthood.
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See all Maryland resources
Waivers, PTI centers, and state programs apply to all families in Maryland.
Maryland state guide →