Maine Access to Inclusive Education Resources

Greetings from the Maine Autism Institute for Education and Research

It is hard to believe we have completed another academic year of work here at the Maine Autism Institute for Education and Research, our fifth year of offering professional development and workshops to better support students on the autism spectrum. In this issue, we share the latest news about our projects, research, and events in support of families impacted by autism and professionals who work with them.  You can help us by sharing this newsletter with others that may have an interest in MAIER’s work or offerings.

We wish you all a peaceful, safe, and enjoyable summer. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us if we can be of assistance. Contact us by email or phone (207-581-2352)

Best regards,
Deborah L. Rooks-Ellis, Ph.D. Director, Maine Autism Institute for Education and Research
Donna Doherty, M.S., Editor, MAIER Family Partnership Director

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Early Start Maine Outreach Services through Telehealth Network

The last few months have been busy ones for MAIER and the Early Start Maine program.  In late February, we launched the Early Start Maine Outreach Services through Telehealth Network (Early Start MOST). Using videoconferencing, this new telehealth program is led by MAIER Early Start Maine Consultants (ESM-C) in collaboration with Maine Child Development Services (CDS).  Currently, ten families are participating in Early Start MOST, representing seven of the nine CDS sites.  [Read More]

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Research Opportunities:

MAIER is currently recruiting both families and professionals to take part in research studies to help us better understand educational supports and practices in our schools, from the perspectives of both families and of the educators and professionals who work with them. See below to learn more about these projects, including how to participate.

Teacher Survey: Understanding Motivators and Stressors of Maine’s Teachers This survey is being conducted by a team of researchers at the University of Maine to examine teacher efficacy, motivators and stressors, teacher perceptions of the efficacy of evidence-based practices, and professional development needs related to working with students with developmental disabilities, including autism. [Read more, with link to consent and survey]

 Interested in participating in research to better understand the effectiveness of strategies and programs used by schools to help high school students on the autism spectrum to prepare for the “Road Ahead?”  Researchers at the University of Maine are assisting Boston University researchers to recruit both families and professionals to participate in this research study.
            Professionals: Researchers are recruiting high school personnel (general and special educators, therapists, administrators) to participate in a study conducted by Boston University researchers. Researchers at the University of Maine are assisting in this study.  [Read more about participating in this study if you are an education professional]
            Families: Researchers are looking for students on the autism spectrum who are in their last year of high school and who will graduate with a regular high school diploma, and their parent(s), to participate in this study. [Read more about participating this study if you are a family member]

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“Autos for Autism” promotes autism awareness while fundraising for MAIER!

Thanks to the kindness and efforts among the Mid-Coast Business Development Group (BDG), an association of independent automotive service and repair businesses located on mid-coast Maine, communities along midcoast Maine learned a bit more about autism and its impact on individuals and families, while supporting MAIER’s family and community outreach efforts. Together the group raised $3,200 for MAIER during “Autism Awareness” month this past April. We offer our heartfelt thanks to the businesses that participated and the community donors who supported the fundraiser!  [Read full story]

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MAIER Professional Development

MAIER’s Professional Development (PD) workshops have come to a close for the 2018-19 school year, with more than 350 educators, paraprofessionals, and educational support personnel participating from all over the state. Topics included developing strategies and methods for teaching written expression, executive function, emotional regulation skills, and sexuality and relationship skills to students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), including those on the autism spectrum.

Overall, workshop participants told us this year’s workshops were engaging and useful for their teaching practice, and often stimulated self-reflection and new approaches to supporting students with IDD and autism. Educators said they appreciated the knowledge and expertise of the presenters and valued the opportunity to engage with their peers during these trainings.

Next fall we will open our PD Series with “Social Communication Skills for Students’ Academic and Community Success” presented by UMaine faculty Sarah Howorth, Ph.D. and MAIER Director, Deborah Rooks-Ellis Ph.D.  on September 26^th. Check out our “Sneak Peek” PD flyer [PDF] [MS Word] for additional sessions already planned and for the dates of additional workshops with topics to be determined. Registration opens this summer, so be sure to check our PD page or PD Calendar for updates!

Did you know MAIER’s 2016-17 PD series was available to view free online? FMI see our 2016-17 PD series.

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Family Focus

Hello from MAIER’s family partnership!

As the MAIER continues to grow in our programs, partnerships, and community outreach, I am always humbled when I meet or reconnect with a family member or cultivate a new community partnership. I continue to learn from each of you, and in turn try to use that new insight, understanding, or idea in our planning and programming for MAIER’s Family Partnership (MFP). These past months have been a whirlwind of new activities and opportunities for the MFP, all in the spirit of raising awareness, understanding, inclusion, and acceptance for individuals on the spectrum and their families. And, of course, to also have some family fun- right? (See our plans for this summer below.)

While continuing to work on our Places and Spaces project, I have sought out like minds from across the state of Maine, the country, and the world at large. One concept in particular caught my attention and reframed my thinking, which I would like to share with you. Working toward toward autism awareness, understanding, and acceptance in our communities are truly worthy goals. However, I would propose we add “appreciation” to our inclusion goals- appreciation for the gifts, talents, quirks, and thoughts and wisdom that individuals on the spectrum bring to our communities. Send me an email with your thoughts or ideas related to this effort, and we can work together toward true appreciation for the unique gifts we all have to share.

I hope you will take a few moments to read and share this edition of Pathways, and perhaps drop me an email or make a call to share what you have been up to.

Hope to see you in the coming year!
Donna
Donna Doherty, MAIER Family Partnership Director

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MAIER Family Partnership Survey

Earlier this month, we sent an email to everyone on our MFP mailing list to invite you to participate in a short survey to assess the impact of MAIER family partnership activities and resources. Thanks to all of you who took the time to respond to our invitation! Your participation in this survey will help us examine our effectiveness and guide MAIER’s future planning for our outreach to Maine families.

Can’t find your email invite? Or perhaps you didn’t receive an email, but would like to participate? If you have not completed the MFP survey yet, we would love to hear from you! Contact Donna at MAIER to request a survey: donna.doherty@maine.edu or call 207-581-2468. Completing the survey takes about 15-20 minutes, and all responses are anonymous.

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Save the date!    August 10^th 2019 at Carrabassett Valley

Imagine a family day in the Maine outdoors enjoying a guided nature walk and fishing, hiking, and outdoor activities, all with the autism-friendly accommodations and support to unwind and just have fun. How about a picnic and outdoor games with other Maine families impacted by autism? We are planning a fun day of recreation with the Adaptive Outdoor Education Center in Carrabassett Valley on August 10^th, and we would love for you to join us! FMI, check our “Outdoors for Everyone” calendar posting.

This day of outdoor fun will be free to families attending but registration is required to help us with our planning. Register online or contact Donna at MAIER: donna.doherty@maine.edu or 207-581-2468. Registration closes August 3^rd.  Questions? Contact Donna at MAIER.

Bookmark our Events Calendar to be sure to learn about upcoming events for families and professionals in the coming year!

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Local theater groups bring autism awareness to their performances

Who would have imagined an afternoon or evening at the theater could open your eyes to the world of a teen on the autism spectrum and to the daily challenges and joys parents encounter in that world? Thanks to the Some Theater Company (STC) in Orono and the Midcoast Actors Studio in Belfast recent productions of “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time,” theatergoers were immersed in the life and sensory experiences of Christopher Boone, a teen on the autism spectrum with exceptional math skills and a desire to become a NASA scientist.The Maine Autism Institute for Education and Research (MAIER) supported the efforts of both theater groups by providing autism information and support to the casts and crews as needed and by participating in promotional radio interviews and a Talkback session.  [Read more]

Upcoming: Sensory–friendly theater production of The Little Mermaid

The Maine State Music Theatre In Brunswick is offering a sensory-friendly performance of The Little Mermaid on August 17. This 50-minutes long musical version of the familiar fairy tale is free to children with social, cognitive, or physical challenges, but tickets are required. Visit the MSMT website for more information on tickets or call 207-725-8769 to reserve seats. And be sure to check out the MSMT social narrative before attending the show!

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The Autism Society of Maine (ASM) offers summer day camp experiences for children on the autism spectrum in both Farmington and Biddeford. Read about these camp options below, and visit the ASM website for more information about these and other summer camp opportunities in Maine.

Camp Summit (Farmington, ME) July  29- August 8, 2019. For children ages 8-13 years w ASD.
Finding the Pieces Summer Camp (Biddeford, ME) August 5 – August 16, 2019. For children on the spectrum in grades K-5.

For more information about these ASM camps, including application information, visit the ASM website or call the ASM: 1-800-273-5200.

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New Resources
Check out these new resources targeting issues related to teen and adult life. Be sure to check out MAIER’s Family Resource and Professional Resources pages as we are always adding new resources.

Love, Dating, Relationships and Disability : Explore the world of relationships and dating through the eyes and words of individuals with disabilities, including autism. This website explores mature relationships in all its forms through personal stories and words of advice from those who live life with a disability.

Center on Secondary Education for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Research reports and extensive resources suitable for professionals and families to support teens on the autism spectrum through his/her high school years and the transition to adulthood. CSESA focuses on developing, adapting, and studying comprehensive school and community-based education programs for high school students on the autism spectrum.

Career-Centered Active Listening Game (C-Cal): The Center on Technology and Disability introduces a new job coaching tool “developed to help provide job-coaching tips and advice, through a series of Q&A listening exercises. The module is intended to strengthen the auditory processing skills of students with disabilities and prepare them for post-secondary environments, particularly the workforce Scenarios presented include the interview process, getting started on the job, on the job experiences, and standing up for yourself on the job.”  

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