Donna Doherty, M.S.

Headshot of Donna DohertyMAIER Family Partnership Director
Maine Autism Institute for Education and Research
Research Associate, College of Education and Human Development

Contact Information

College of Education and Human Development
5766 Shibles Hall, Room 326 | Orono, ME 04469-5766
Phone: 207.581.2468 | Fax: 207.581.9510
donna.doherty@maine.edu


Bio: Donna Doherty’s education, experience, and research interests focus on children’s health and developmental disabilities, and their impact on family life. Past work includes research, program development and support for families affected by disorders of the corpus callosum for the Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum (ACC) Network at the University of Maine and for the National Organization for Disorders of the Corpus Callosum (NODCC) in Yorba Linda, Calif.

Donna is currently the Director of the MAIER Family Partnership (MFP) at the Maine Autism Institute for Education and Research. The MFP works with individuals and families affected by autism spectrum disorders to promote greater awareness, education, support and research. Donna served as project coordinator and co-editor of the “Maine Parent Guide to Autism Spectrum Disorders” booklets. She works to enhance community partnerships with Maine agencies and organizations dedicated to autism spectrum disorders, and partners with UMaine students and faculty to support student experiences in the field of autism.

As a research associate, Donna leads and collaborates in scientific and educational program evaluations. Specific skills include the development of research protocols, online survey data collection, conducting interviews and focus groups, data analysis, and report writing. Recent projects include course and program evaluations for a nonprofit genomics/genetic laboratory, National Science Foundation-funded summer undergraduate research programs, and a U.S. Department of Education funded teacher training program to improve classroom instruction for English Language Learners in Maine.

Education
M.S. in Human Development and Family Studies, University of Maine
B.S. in Nursing, University of Maine

Sample publications

  • Rooks-Ellis, D. (Ed.) & Doherty, D. (Ed. and Project Coordinator). (2015). Maine Parent Guide to Autism Spectrum Disorders
    Volume 1: What to do when you suspect an autism spectrum disorder
    Volume 2:  Accessing educational services, social services, and interventions
    Volume 3: Resource guide for Maine families
  • Tu. S., Doherty, D., Schilmoeller, k, & Schilmoeller, G. (2009). Agenesis of the corpus callosum: A literature review. In the International Review of Research in Mental Retardation, Volume 38, p. 171-193.
  • Doherty, D.R., Tu, S., Schilmoeller, K., & Schilmoeller, G. (2006). Health-related issues in children with agenesis of the corpus callosum. Child: Care, Health and Development, 3, (3), 333-42.
  • Doherty, D.R. & Schilmoeller, K.J. (Eds.), (2004). The ACC Network Album. Including Individuals with Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum and Other Callosal Anomalies.  Yorba Linda, CA: National Organization for Disorders of the Corpus Callosum.