This report provides an updated review of state criteria and guidelines for participation in AAAAAS. We analyze state criteria for participation and factors not to use as the basis of decision making, as well as how states define students with the “most significant cognitive disabilities.” As the resources on state websites have increased, topics covered have expanded to include other information found in the criteria and guidelines: information for parents/guardians, English learner (EL) considerations, and exemptions from participation in the AA-AAAS.

UPDATED This document is intended to help guide Individualized Education Program (IEP) teams as they determine whether the Maryland Alternate Assessments, assessments based on alternate achievement standards, are appropriate for individual students.

Owned and operated by Stacy Taylor, Advance Behavior and Learning used Applied Behavior Analysis to help kids learn new skills and reduce problem behaviors.

Directed by Kristen Jacobson, Techniques for Success 2019 keynote speaker, this website contains resources and tools to help students with executive functioning skills and more.

Direct links to all 24 Maryland Local School Systems' web sites

U.S. Department of Education’s Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) website, which brings together IDEA information and resources from the Department and our grantees.

PALS creates immersive experiences where young adults with Down syndrome and their peers have fun, grow as individuals, and build transformative friendships.

Maryland ABLE accounts are a new way to help individuals with disabilities save money and pay for qualified disability-related expenses without jeopardizing state or federal means-tested benefits such as SSI or Medicaid.

The Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act gives individuals with disabilities and their families the ability to save for their child’s future just like every other American family, and help people with disabilities live full, productive lives in their communities without losing benefits provided through private insurances, the Medicaid program, the supplemental security income program, the beneficiary’s employment, and other sources.

 A helpful guide that shows which tests and things to test for at what ages. We recommend you print and review this with your doctors to proper healthcare practices are taking place.

A healthcare guide, broken down by age, that provides valuable information pertaining to different age groups- a online printable PDF file that contains vital resources for families from the American Academy of Pediatrics.