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Department of Disabilities

Advisory Stakeholder Group on Autism Relate Needs

About ASGARN

The Advisory Stakeholder Group on Autism-Related Needs works within the Maryland Department of Disabilities alongside the State Coordinator for Autism Strategy to enhance support for autistic individuals across the state. Led by the State Coordinator, this group meets four times a year to shape, track, and improve Maryland's overall plan for autism services. Together, they assess current programs for individuals and families, design a statewide strategy, oversee its progress, and make updates as needs evolve.

ASGARN Members

Appointed By GovernorEx-Officio MembersMD General Assembly AppointmentAppointed by the State 
Autism Strategy Coordinator
Emily ArkerState Autism Coordinator (Victoria Rodríguez-Roldán)Delegate Michele GuytonRyan Roddey
Devan SoutherlandDepartment of Disabilities (Anne Blackfield)Delegate Julie Palakovich CarrJaLynn Prince
Roger ThibaudeauDepartment of Human Services (Courtney Thomas-Winterberg) LyXinzhen Zhangsun Brown
Adam Shafer JonesMaryland State Department of Education (Carmen Brown) Nikki Stokes
Nicole BlancDepartment of Health (Janet Furman) Jess L. Wilcox Cowing
Lisa WiederlightMD Speech-Lang-Hearing Assoc. (Fatima Salem) Elizabeth Benevides
Peggy PughMaryland Developmental Disabilities Council (Rachel London) Melissa Rosenberg
Christy RussellArc Maryland (Raymond Marshall) Nancy Forsythe
 Pathfinders for Autism (Rebecca Rienzi) Yoreidy Vasquez-Tavares
 Itineris (Ami Taubenfeld) Rachel Leah Kraus

Upcoming ASGARN Meeting:

All meetings listed below are held virtually unless otherwise noted

  • Tuesday, September 22, 2026 / 4:30 P.M. - 6:00 P.M.
    Link to the ASGARN Meeting: 
    Password: 414280

The Maryland Department of Disabilities is committed to providing universal access to all our events. Please contact Marisha Ingram at [email protected] or 410-767-3653 to request disability accommodations. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.

Meeting Archives: