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Montgomery County proclaims Autism Acceptance Month; parents and advocates celebrate MarylandID law victory
Summary
The council proclaimed April 2025 as Autism Acceptance Month and local advocates celebrated the recent passage of Maryland legislation to place a hidden-disability logo on state IDs. Families and nonprofit leaders described services and supports and urged continued investments in school and community supports.
Montgomery County leaders proclaimed April 2025 as Autism Acceptance Month on April 8 and invited family advocates and nonprofit groups to the council chambers to highlight supports for autistic residents and a recent Maryland law to mark state IDs.
"This is a time where we pause, not just to raise awareness, but to truly embrace, uplift, and celebrate our autistic neighbors, friends and family members," Vice President and Council Member Will Jawando said as he introduced the proclamation. He noted that the countyand local nonprofits provide a wide range of resources and urged continued protection for disability services.
Families and local advocates described the community impact of services and the law authored by Eric Grantham, a 20-year-old autistic advocate who helped develop a hidden-disability logo that can appear on state identification cards. Linda Carpenter Grantham said the bill will put a symbol on Maryland IDs that can quickly tell first responders and others that a person may have an invisible disability. "Eric drew that, and he drew 3 others, 1 for autism, 1 for hearing impaired, 1 for mental health, and this butterfly for all hidden disabilities," she said. Eric Grantham told the council that the state Senate bill "SB618" and House bill "HB707" passed unanimously in the General Assembly.
Local nonprofit leaders described the services they provide. Azeb Adiri, president of the Ethiopian Community organization EESNC, and Sue Kessler of XMinds said their groups offer parent support, resource navigation, webinars and social events to help families access special education and other services. They urged more local collaboration and resources to expand supports and to reduce stigma.
The council resolution notes a national estimate that 1 in 36 children are identified with autism and references county investments including the Commission on People with Disabilities and partnerships with service providers. The proclamation urges residents to celebrate neurodiversity and to support inclusion efforts countywide.
The council presented the proclamation to families and representatives from local groups including XMinds, Blue Runway for Autism, the Autism Society of Maryland and county disability and school officials.
