Archived Articles
Autism Awareness Fair in Rockland is a huge success!
MAIER joined the Rockland community for an Autism Awareness Fair on March 18th at the Rockland Elks Lodge. This family-friendly fun and informative event was organized and led by Jessica Crane (mother of four-year old Brody), with the assistance of her family and friends. The Rockland Elks Club hall was filled with information tables and fun activities for children attending, and a silent auction held during the event helped to raise more than $3500 for local and state autism programs and organizations. Our heartfelt thanks to Jessica and her family, and community for their work to increase autism awareness and support service providers and programs! [Read more]
Lots of fun at KIDDOS Indoor Playground
Sunday May 22nd 2016 was a special afternoon at KIDDOS Indoor Playground in Auburn when the Maine Autism Institute for Education and Research (MAIER) hosted a special Maine Family Partnership event for families with young children affected by autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
Eight families from the local area joined in the fun, and the children attending happily explored the climbing and riding toys, activity centers, reading nook, and dress-up costumes. The bouncy house and mini trampolines were especially popular, and the boys and girls played nearly non-stop, pausing only for a quick drink and snack. Since KIDDOS was closed to the public during our event, parents and grandparents attending had the chance to meet one another and chat about their children and their families.
We especially enjoyed meeting everyone, and introducing new families to our Maine Family Partnership. Parents attending received copies of our Maine Parent Guide to Autism Spectrum Disorders, and the children went home with a book of their choice courtesy of UMaine faculty member, Susan Bennett-Armistead.
Special thanks to Meghan and Leslie of KIDDOS for partnering with us for this special event, and to our MAIER staff and volunteers, Sue and her daughters, Skye and Ariel, Felicia, and Karissa, for making this a fun-filled afternoon.
Maine Parent Guide to Autism Spectrum Disorders available to families!
MAIER’s Maine Parent Guide to Autism Spectrum Disorders is now available online and in print! This parent-friendly guide, a “roadmap” of sorts, was developed to assist families as they navigate the autism journey. In three booklets, the Parent Guide leads families from the initial question of “Does my child have autism?” to steps for obtaining needed assessments, connecting with educational and social services, and finding resources based on their needs. It includes an in-depth description of early childhood and special education services in Maine, a guide for transitioning from high school to adult services, and a Resource Guide that includes contact information for many services and supports across the state.
The Maine Parent Guide to Autism Spectrum Disorders is enriched with personal stories, reflections, and suggestions from our parent group, lending a personal touch that reflects their experiences and knowledge gained from their own journeys. Family photos capture the joys and challenges of raising a child with ASD.
This year-long project could not have been possible without the dedication of a group of parents who came together to advise us in the development of the guide, to share their stories, photos, and suggestions, and to help write and edit the content. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Susan Abbiati, Felicia Kasprzak, Kathleen Leopold, Niki Sheafe, Karen Grotton Pelletier, April Poulsen, Laurie Robichaud, & Roy Ulrickson, III. The handbook is a reflection of their dedication and desire to help families across the state of Maine.
You can download copies of the Maine Parent Guide to Autism Spectrum Disorders from our website or contact us for a print copy. If your agency or organization would like to receive multiple copies for distribution, contact us by phone (207.581.2352) or email us to discuss your request.
“My Day to Play” at the Maine Discovery Museum
In partnership with the Maine Discovery Museum, MAIER hosted a “My Day to Play” on Sunday December 6th for more than 25 area families affected by autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The Discovery Museum in Bangor was shut down to the public while families attending were able to explore the museum exhibits and enjoy planned activities free of charge. The event was a huge success, offering a safe space for children with ASD and their siblings to play and for parents and caregivers to meet others sharing similar experiences.
The highlight for many children was a visit to Santa’s village to meet Santa and his elves and choose a gift book to take home. Parents also received a free digital photo capturing the event. Special thanks go to our Santa Squad, Roy, Felicia, and Tommy, for creating a special place for children to meet and greet Santa on their own terms and to the Discovery Museum staff and University of Maine student volunteers for making this event possible. Read more about this event
March 22nd 2015 “My Day to Play”
Sunday March 22nd, 2015 was an exciting day at the Maine Discovery Museum! More than 60 individuals attended the special “Autism Education and Safety Event” for children and families. The event was hosted by the Maine Autism Institute for Education and Research (MAIER) in partnership with the Discovery Museum’s “My Day to Play.” The Museum was closed to other visitors during the event so children with autism and their siblings could explore and experience activities in a safe, sensory-friendly setting.
The afternoon was filled with exploration and learning at the Museum and included guest visitors who focused on safety. Read more about this event.
Autism Safety
MAIER’s Maine Family Partnership Spring 2015 event at the Maine Discover Museum included a presentation from Matt Brown, founder of Autism Safety Education and Training (ASET) and parent of a teen with ASD. Matt’s presentation included important safety information for families, and included details on how to register your child with autism with local law enforcement so first responders will have valuable information about your child in the event of an emergency. Click to see excerpt of Matt’s Safety presentation. To learn more about ASET and access helpful safety-related resources, visit the ASET website.
MAIER Maine Family Partnership Event on December 7th was a great success!
Our first family event hosted by the MAIER Maine Family Partnership (MFP) was a huge success! Thirty-five families attended this fun and educational event held at the Maine Discovery Museum on their December 7th “My Day to Play.” The Museum offered dedicated time and space to families with children with autism and their siblings to enjoy the museum exhibits and special activities. MAIER’s MFP hosted a visit from Santa, and a representative from the Maine Parent Federation was on hand to meet with parents.
Maine Discovery Museum’s “My Day to Play,” December 7, 2014
In partnership with the Maine Discovery Museum’s “My Day to Play,” the Maine Autism Institute for Research and Evaluation (MAIER) Family Partnership will be hosting a free event for children with autism and their families.
Enjoy the Museum’s program on a day especially designed for children with autism spectrum disorder. This is a safe, comfortable environment for children to explore the Museum during a time closed to other visitors. For more information on “My Day to Play” events, visit the Maine Discovery Museum website.
For Parents: Ann Long from the Maine Parent Federation will join parents for an information and discussion session focused on advocating for your children, including effective ways to communicate with your child’s medical, educational, and social service team members. Children will be supervised by MAIER and Museum staff.
Join us for this free opportunity to play, gather information and resources, and enjoy time and refreshments with other families!
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Santa will be at the Maine Discovery Museum on December 7th! As part of the day, a photographer with the MAIER Family Partnership will be available to capture these special moments for families at no cost.
For more information, contact Donna Doherty at MAIER:
Phone: 207.581.2468
Email: donna.doherty@maine.edu