Autism Services

In 2013, Maryland School for the Deaf (MSD), in collaboration with the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), established specialized services for deaf and hard of hearing students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). These services are available to students ages 3-21 who meet MSD's admissions criteria. To qualify, students must be able to acquire and maintain American Sign Language (ASL) skills and demonstrate continuous academic and social-emotional progress appropriate to their individual needs through visual learning modalities. 

 

MSD provides a continuum of services tailored to each student's needs. Service provision is determined by family input, evaluations, data, historical documentation, and professional insights gathered by the Individualized Education Program (IEP) team. Services may include additional adult support through Enhanced Services, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech-language services, counseling services, parent consultation, and behavior management. Instruction is aligned with the Maryland College and Career-Ready Standards or the Alternative Framework/Alternative Assessment, depending on the student's qualifications. 

 

Daily supervision and program planning for students with Autism are primarily overseen by the department principal, with support from the Chief Educational Programs Officer and the Director of Enhanced Services. MSD employs a multidisciplinary team of trained professionals, including board-certified behavior analysts, neuropsychologists, school psychologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech-language therapists, ASL specialists, school counselors, and social workers. MSD values a collaborative approach, involving parents and caregivers as integral members of the team to ensure that services and supports are customized to meet each student's unique needs.

 

MSD offers a Parent Support Group specifically for parents, family members, and community members who support children who are deaf or hard of hearing with Autism. This group provides a welcoming environment where families and caregivers can share experiences, ask questions, and receive support on various topics, challenges, and successes. Our goal is to foster a supportive community and offer resources that assist families in navigating their unique journeys.