Baltimore families looking for autism support have access to several well-established local organizations — including the Autism Society of Baltimore-Chesapeake, Kennedy Krieger Institute’s CASSI program, and The Arc Baltimore — alongside embedded in-home therapy providers like Move Up ABA who work alongside these community resources.

You just got the diagnosis. Or maybe you’ve had it for a while, but the map of “what’s next” still feels overwhelming.

Here’s the thing — Baltimore has a genuinely strong network of autism resources for families. The hard part isn’t finding them. It’s knowing which ones do what, and where to start.

This guide cuts through that. Below are the most established, credible top autism support organizations in Baltimore, what they actually offer, and how to connect with them.

What Are the Best Autism Support Groups in Baltimore, MD?

Organization What They Offer Contact
Autism Society of Baltimore-Chesapeake (ASBC) Monthly support groups, family socials, advocacy, educational events baltimoreautismsociety.org · (410) 655-7933
Kennedy Krieger Institute – CASSI Diagnostic evaluations, group therapy, inclusive Pre-K, parenting education kennedykrieger.org · (443) 923-7630
The Arc Baltimore Family support, respite care, employment services, advocacy thearcbaltimore.org · (410) 296-2272
Move Up ABA In-home ABA therapy, parent training, school collaboration moveupaba.com · (410) 497-8865

1. Autism Society of Baltimore-Chesapeake (ASBC)

Founded: 1976 Type: All-volunteer nonprofit, local affiliate of the national Autism Society

The ASBC is one of the longest-standing autism resources for families in the Baltimore area. It serves Baltimore City and Baltimore County with a consistent calendar of free, community-facing programming.

What they offer:

  • Monthly support group meetings — open to parents, caregivers, autistic adults, educators, and therapists. No membership required.
  • Virtual weekly meetings held Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m.
  • Family socials and community events
  • Honestly Autism Day — an annual April event featuring national speakers, vendor resources, and a teen panel sharing firsthand autism experiences (run in partnership with Baltimore County Public Schools)
  • A curated directory of local and national autism resources for families

The ASBC is a grassroots organization. Its strength is in peer connection — parents finding other parents who have been exactly where they are.

2. Kennedy Krieger Institute — Center for Autism Services, Science and Innovation (CASSI)

Location: 3901 Greenspring Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21211 Type: Nonprofit, Johns Hopkins Hospital affiliate

Kennedy Krieger’s CASSI program is one of the most clinically comprehensive autism programs in the mid-Atlantic region. It serves children, families, and professionals through a combination of clinical care, research, and community training.

What they offer families:

  • Interdisciplinary diagnostic evaluations for autism spectrum disorder
  • Small-group communication and social skills programs
  • Individual and group therapy (psychological, behavioral, psychiatric)
  • Parenting education and family support services
  • A free inclusive Pre-K program for 3- and 4-year-olds at the Greenspring Campus (available to eligible families based on income, IEP status, or multilingual learner designation)
  • A free 9-minute Early Signs of Autism video tutorial available publicly online

Kennedy Krieger treats more than 19,000 children annually across its programs. The CASSI program specifically combines research and clinical services, meaning that treatment approaches are continuously informed by the latest evidence.

3. The Arc Baltimore

Founded: 1949 Location: 7215 York Road, Baltimore, MD 21212 Type: Nonprofit, part of the national Arc network

The Arc Baltimore began when eight parents came together in 1949 to find more for their children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It now supports more than 6,000 adults and children with disabilities in Baltimore City and Baltimore County.

What they offer families:

  • Family support and education programs
  • Respite care — giving caregivers structured time off
  • Employment training and job placement services
  • Day and residential services
  • Treatment foster care
  • Assistive technology services
  • Public policy advocacy
  • Crisis assistance support

The Arc Baltimore is particularly valuable for families navigating the longer arc of autism support — from early childhood through adult life. Its employment programs, including the Project SEARCH internship (partnering with institutions like the University of Maryland Medical Center), help autistic individuals build real careers.

4. Maryland Autism Waiver

Worth knowing: Maryland’s Autism Waiver (through Medical Assistance) provides eligible children with ASD access to specific waiver services to support them in their homes and communities. Families can contact the Autism Waiver Registry at 866-417-3480 to begin the referral process.

This is a state-funded resource that can open access to in-home and community-based support beyond what private insurance covers.

Where Move Up ABA Fits In

Support groups, diagnostic centers, and advocacy organizations are essential. But day-to-day, in your home, in the middle of a difficult transition — that’s where direct therapy matters.

Move Up ABA is a Baltimore-based in-home ABA therapy provider serving families across Maryland and Virginia. The team includes Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) and Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs), and therapy is delivered in the environment where children spend most of their time: home.

What sets this apart from clinic-based care: skills are practiced in real routines — morning transitions, mealtimes, sibling interactions — not in a therapy room.

Move Up ABA also works directly alongside organizations like ASBC and Kennedy Krieger, collaborating with families’ existing care teams to keep goals consistent across every setting. Parent training is built into the model, so caregivers leave each session with concrete strategies they can use immediately.

Services cover children and young adults ages 1–21. Most major insurance plans, including Medicaid, are accepted.

The Bottom Line

Baltimore’s autism support network is real, accessible, and built by families who fought to create it. Here’s the short list:

  • ASBC — for peer community, monthly groups, and local advocacy
  • Kennedy Krieger CASSI — for clinical evaluation, therapy programs, and early childhood education
  • The Arc Baltimore — for lifespan support, respite care, and adult services
  • Maryland Autism Waiver — for state-funded home and community support
  • Move Up ABA — for daily, in-home ABA therapy that works alongside all of the above

The strongest outcomes for autistic children happen when clinical therapy, community support, and family involvement all work together. None of these organizations — or Move Up ABA — operates in isolation. They’re all part of the same network.

Ready to Add In-Home ABA Therapy to Your Support Plan?

Move Up ABA is currently accepting new clients in Baltimore and across Maryland. There’s no waitlist.

If you’ve connected with ASBC, Kennedy Krieger, or The Arc and you’re looking for the daily therapy piece — the next conversation is with us.

📞 Call (410) 497-8865 or visit moveupaba.com to schedule a free consultation. Our intake specialist will walk you through insurance, answer your questions, and explain exactly what your child’s first month of therapy looks like.

Your community is already here. We’re ready to show up at your door.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I get an autism diagnosis for my child in Baltimore?

A: The Kennedy Krieger Institute is the primary diagnostic hub in Baltimore. You can request an initial evaluation through their Center for Autism Services, Science and Innovation (CASSI™). Additionally, Baltimore City Public Schools (BCPS) provides educational evaluations to determine eligibility for special education services, though these are distinct from a medical diagnosis.

Q: What financial assistance is available for Maryland families with autism?

A: Maryland offers the Autism Waiver, which allows eligible children to receive technical assistance and support at home and in the community regardless of family income. Furthermore, Maryland ABLE accounts provide a tax-advantaged way for families to save for disability-related expenses without losing eligibility for federal and state benefits.

Q: Are there local support groups for parents of neurodiverse children in Baltimore?

A: Yes. The Autism Society of Baltimore-Chesapeake (ASBC) hosts monthly meetings and peer-led support groups. For broader developmental disability support, The Arc Baltimore offers family workshops and “Parent to Parent” programs that connect seasoned mentors with families new to the diagnosis.

Does insurance cover ABA therapy in Baltimore? Most major private insurance plans and Maryland Medicaid are legally required to cover Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy when it is deemed medically necessary. Move Up ABA works directly with families to verify insurance benefits and manage the authorization process, ensuring there are no gaps in a child’s care.

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