Autistic Awareness
County Executive Aisha Braveboy and Council Chair Krystal Oriadha Announce Effort To Improve Early Awareness of Autism
Prince George’s County leaders formally launched a new, countywide autism awareness and care initiative on April 1, marking the start of World Autism Month with a renewed focus on early diagnosis and family support.
County Executive Aisha N. Braveboy and Council Chair Krystal Oriadha partnered to introduce Early Connections, a comprehensive campaign designed to expand access to autism resources, reduce stigma, and improve early intervention outcomes across Prince George's County.
The initiative was unveiled during a press conference at the Wayne K. Curry Administration Building, where officials emphasized the urgency of addressing delayed diagnoses among young children. Health experts note that the most critical developmental window occurs between birth and age three—yet many families in the county miss that opportunity due to barriers in navigating care systems.
Braveboy framed the campaign as a continuation of her longstanding advocacy for children and families. Drawing on her previous work expanding healthcare access for youth with disabilities, she said the initiative aims to ensure that families can more easily access screening, services, and support at the earliest stages.
For Oriadha, the effort carries a deeply personal dimension. She shared her own experience navigating autism resources for her son, describing a system that can be difficult and time-consuming for families to understand. The Early Connections campaign, she said, is designed to simplify that process and ensure children receive timely care that can significantly improve developmental outcomes.
The campaign will roll out through a series of public-facing events and systemic improvements throughout April. Three in-person resource fairs—hosted at libraries in South Bowie, Spauldings, and Hyattsville—will connect families directly with medical professionals and autism service providers. Attendees will have opportunities to engage in one-on-one consultations and schedule follow-up screenings when appropriate.
In addition, families will be introduced to key organizations such as Child Resource Connect, V.O.I.C.E. for Neurodiversity, and Pathfinders for Autism, helping to bridge gaps between diagnosis and ongoing care. A provider summit planned for later in the month will convene healthcare leaders to identify ways to streamline wraparound services and improve coordination across agencies.
Officials said the initiative will also include a centralized online resource hub and a coordinated social media outreach campaign to broaden awareness and accessibility.
By combining direct services, community engagement, and system-level collaboration, Early Connections represents one of the county’s most comprehensive efforts to date to improve autism care—ensuring that more children receive the support they need at the moment it matters most.
