Autism Society of Maryland

09/08/2026

Walking for Alex.

Alex LaMorie's family has set up teams for two local walks and invites your support and donations in his memory.

One is the on September 26th held by the American Foundation for Su***de Prevention-Maryland Chapter in Howard County. The link to the donation page is at https://afspwalks.donordrive.com/participants/DrJillHarrington-2026

The other is our own AUSOM Every Step Counts Autism Walk & 5K Run on October 3rd with the theme of Every Step Toward Change: For Alex. For Autism. For Humanity. The link to the donation page is at https://runsignup.com/jillhchangeforalex/Donate

Writes Alex's mom, Dr. Jill Harrington,
"I am walking in the Out of the Darkness Community Walk for Alex, but I am also walking for something I believe we urgently need to address: a crisis response grounded in the inherent dignity and worth of every person in crisis, the preservation of life, and the highest standards of safety, training, and care." And "We walk in his memory and carry his life, his voice, and his story with us and in support of the important work of the Autism Society of Maryland. We walk to help advance their mission of educating, supporting, and advocating for autistic individuals and their families throughout their lives. We also walk in support of their efforts to promote safety, justice, understanding, acceptance, and inclusion for autistic people in our communities and to educate the systems and professionals who serve them."

We are honored to have Alex's family walk with us.





https://afspwalks.donordrive.com/participants/DrJillHarrington-2026

Please support the American Foundation for Su***de Prevention to help save lives and bring hope to those affected by su***de. Donate or register to walk!

09/08/2026

OCD and Autism
September 28, 2026 from 7:00-8:30PM
Virtual by Zoom – https://app.dvforms.net/api/dv/38qv29

Join the Autism Society of MD for an informative webinar exploring the relationship and co-occurrence of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Autism. Led by professionals with experience supporting individuals with both conditions, this webinar will provide practical insight into understanding, identifying, and responding to the unique needs that can arise when OCD and autism co-occur.

Dr. Noah Weintraub and Dr. Caitlin Condit will share their experiences working with individuals who have both OCD and autism. Participants will learn how to better differentiate OCD symptoms from autism-related traits and behaviors, as well as strategies and supports that may help individuals manage symptoms and improve daily functioning.

This webinar is designed for:
-Individuals with a diagnosed or suspected co-occurrence of OCD and autism
-Family members, caregivers, and loved ones
-Mental health, medical, educational, and other professionals supporting individuals with OCD and autism

Whether you are navigating these diagnoses personally, supporting a loved one, or working with individuals with co-occurring OCD and autism, this webinar will offer valuable information, clinical perspectives, and practical strategies to help you better understand the intersection of these conditions.

09/04/2026

PEACE LOVE & PICKLEBALL FUNDRAISER

Join us for the Peace, Love & Pickleball tournament hosted by the Hussman Foundation! Support the Autism Society of Maryland by cheering on our teams, enjoying food and drinks, and participating in an on-site skills clinic. 100% of your donation goes directly to our mission with all fees covered. Get your spectator tickets, join as a donor, or support a team today!​​​​​

Friday, September 18th, 2026 @ 6:00 pm
The Putaway, 2574 Najoles Road, Millersville, MD 21108
Reigster today: https://givebutter.com/plp26/team-autism-society-of-maryland

09/03/2026

A huge thank you to Builders for partnering with us as a Platinum Sponsor for our the 20th Year Celebration of the Every Step Counts Walk & 5K! Your generous support helps us empower individuals and families in our community.

We encourage everyone to join us on October 3 at Centennial Park as we celebrate two decades of community, inclusion, and impact! Register a team today: https://runsignup.com/Race/MD/EllicottCity/EveryStepCountsAutismWalk5K

09/03/2026

30 Days to Go, Heroes! 👟🦸‍♂️

The countdown is officially on for the 20th Year Celebration of the Every Step Counts Walk & 5K! There are just 30 days left until we UNITE at Centennial Park on October 3 to celebrate two decades of community, inclusion, and impact.

Whether you want to run, walk, cheer from the sidelines, or channel your inner superhero, there is a place for everyone:

👉 Register for the Walk to secure your spot
👉 Fundraise to help us empower individuals and families
👉 Volunteer to make this milestone event unforgettable

Every step counts—sign up or get involved today! https://runsignup.com/Race/MD/EllicottCity/EveryStepCountsAutismWalk5K

09/02/2026

Adult Sibling Support Group (Virtual)​​​​​​​
September 22, 2026 - 7-8:30pm
Other Fall 2026 Dates: October 27, November 24, December 22

We are joining with our friends at The Arc of Howard County this fall to present the Adult Sibling Support Group. This free, monthly, virtual group offers support to adult siblings who are caring for sisters and brothers with a range of disabilities, not only Autism. We invite you to join us for discussions offering mutual support and resource-sharing.

A one-time registration for the group is required: https://app.donorview.com/pEk7r

Once registered you will receive an email with the zoom link.
If you register within 24 hours of the session, we cannot guarantee that you’ll receive the reminder email and Zoom link.

If you have questions or concerns please contact Kelly Kryspin at [email protected] for more details.

09/02/2026

Terrific article in Maryland Matters highlighting our friends at The Arc of Howard County and the situation this creates for providers and those they serve.

After more than two years of erroneous Medicaid disenrollments, communication challenges and slow responses from state agencies, the nonprofits and companies providing developmental disability services say they are near a financial breaking point.

09/02/2026

Our AUSOM team took some time to gather for lunch this week and reflect on all they have accomplished to support our community. What an amazing and dedicated group. That table is getting longer!

09/02/2026

AUSOM joined with the Autism Society of America in Washington, DC yesterday at an event highlighting the Bipartisan Autism Caucus and national advocacy on autism and developmental disability policy. Joe Joyce, CEO, introduced Rep. Stauber (R-MN), Cuellar (D-TX), and Correa (D-CA) to speak at the event. And we joined with our sister affiliates from Northern Virginia, Washington, DC and West Virginia for a beautiful evening against the backdrop of the Capitol.

08/31/2026

Gear up for a successful school year with AUSOM! Whether you need expert educational advocacy guidance, IEP strategies, or everyday coping tools, our Back-to-School Resource Page has your family covered - https://autismsocietymd.org/special-ed-resources/back-to-school-resources/

Looking for extra support? Families in Howard and Anne Arundel Counties can connect with our special education consultants for a free, one-time 45-minute session (Spanish interpretation available) to strengthen your advocacy skills.

Our Resource Coordinators are also here to help you navigate services by phone, Zoom, or in person.

For more information reach out to the AUSOM office at 410-290-3466 or [email protected] to get started!