teachers sitting at classroom tables

 Join MAIER in congratulating these new Maine Autism Leader Teams!

RSU 2
RSU 56
RSU 49
Veazie Schools
Spurwink
Brewer Schools

Training begins in September!

Congratulations to our new Maine Autism Leader Teams!

About 1 in 68 children has been identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) according to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Maine schools continue to look for resources to educate and support children in an effective way.

In response to this need, MAIER invited applications for school districts and agencies to receive advanced training in evidence-based practices for working with individuals with autism. Six teams were selected this year to participate as Maine Autism Leader Teams, joining the existing 42 teams.

Teams receive six days of training (three two‐day training sessions) with coaching and mentoring opportunities provided between training sessions. Team members include general and special educators, related services staff, and general and special education administrators.

The overall goals of the training are to:

  • Build local capacity to establish and implement proactive and positive programming with fidelity for children with ASD,
  • Build regional and state experts, trainers and supports for Maine’s educators working with students with ASD,
  • Foster the development of observational skills for working with children with autism spectrum disorder,
  • Provide current information about the diverse range of individuals who exhibit characteristics associated with ASD,
  • Ensure that Maine teachers and paraprofessionals are appropriately and adequately prepared to work with children with ASD, and
  • Provide participants with sufficient current and evidence‐based information that enables them to share materials with others in their district.

An outgrowth of this team training has been the creation and ongoing support of an autism leadership network across the state. Over 400 autism leaders are employed by agencies and school districts across the state to promote sustainability and to scale up efforts.

 

Check out the  MALT Map to find a team in your area or to contact MAIER to ask about the opportunity.