County resource guide
Washington County, Maryland
Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in Washington County. Maryland statewide resources also apply.
Local providers
8 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.
Hagerstown
Meritus Medical Center — Developmental Pediatrics
Developmental pediatrics services at Meritus Medical Center in Hagerstown, the primary medical center for western Maryland. Provides autism screenings and developmental evaluations with referral pathways for families in the Appalachian region who face significant travel distances to major academic centers.
Primary regional medical center for western Maryland — reduces travel burden for families in the Appalachian corridor.
ABA therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Frederick · multi-county
Pathways for Learning — Frederick
Maryland-based ABA provider offering center-based and in-home therapy in Frederick County. BCBA-supervised services for children and adolescents. Accepts most commercial insurance under Maryland's ABA insurance mandate.
Hagerstown · multi-county
Therapeutic Pathways — Hagerstown
ABA and behavioral therapy services in the Hagerstown area for children with autism and related conditions. Center-based and in-home options. Accepts most commercial insurance under Maryland's ABA insurance mandate.
Parent & family support
Parent groups, sibling programs, and family peer support.
Frederick · multi-county
Autism Society of Maryland — Frederick Chapter
Active Frederick County chapter offering parent support groups, social skill playdates for children with autism, family resource nights, and connections to local services. Volunteers and staff know the Frederick school system well.
Hagerstown · multi-county
Western Maryland Autism Support Group
Parent and caregiver support group for families of autistic individuals in Washington, Allegany, and Garrett counties. Meets regularly in Hagerstown. Provides peer connection and local resource navigation in a rural region where specialized services are sparse.
Particularly valuable in western MD where specialized autism services are more limited.
Advocacy & legal
Legal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
Frederick · multi-county
Parents' Place of Maryland (PPM) — Western Region
The Parents' Place of Maryland serves Frederick and western Maryland families through outreach staff, phone consultations, and webinars covering IEP rights, dispute resolution, and Maryland special education law. Free for all Maryland families.
FREE. Federally funded. Serves all of western Maryland.
Hagerstown
The Arc of Washington County
Local Arc chapter serving Washington County residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Provides advocacy, family support, employment assistance, and connections to Maryland DDA waiver programs. Important resource in a region with limited specialized autism services.
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See all Maryland resources
Waivers, PTI centers, and state programs apply to all families in Maryland.
Maryland state guide →