Gov. Martin O'Malley has proclaimed April as Autism Awareness Month in response to the "alarming" increase in the diagnosis of austism spectrum disorders.
Maryland has seen a 57 percent increase in the number of autism-related diagnoses from 2002-2006.
"A growing number of Maryland families need the research, intervention and continuous care to properly deal with an autism-related diagnosis," said O'Malley, in a statement. "We want to understand the state-of-the-art in autism programs so we can provide the highest level of assistance possible to every Maryland child and adult with this unique need."
In response, state legislators passed a bill last year to form the the Maryland Commission on Austism. The panel is chaired by health and education officials and is working on a comprehensive statewide austism plan. The next meeting is late April but there will be fact-finding session in different regions of the state. A preliminary report is due June 1, 2011, and a final report is due a year later.
For information on the commission's work and meetings, click here.