Mission Statement
The Autism Society of Maine is a non-profit organization that serves individuals with autism and their families, professionals, and communities by providing education, advocacy, referrals, and resource development. The Society provides current information in support of informed choice of treatments and services.
Purpose Statement
The purposes of the Autism Society of Maine are:
- To promote and advocate for the general welfare of individuals with autism;
- To promote family and community support;
- To help the community develop a better understanding of the problems of individuals with autism;
- To further the advancement of all ameliorative and preventive study, research, therapy, care and cure of individuals with autism;
- To promote the education, training, and vocational opportunities of individuals with autism and to foster the development of integrated care on their behalf;
- To promote the establishment of adequate diagnostic, therapeutic, educational and recreational facilities for individuals with autism;
- To serve as a clearing house for gathering and disseminating information regarding persons with autism and act as a public information and referral service for autism spectrum disorders;
- To further the education and training of parents and professional personnel working with, educating, and caring for individuals with autism.
Our History
ASM began as a support group for several parents who had children with autism who were placed in a day program at Mariah Clark School in Hallowell this program was created for children with behavior and communication disorders. The group met monthly to share concerns, experiences, ask and answer each other’s questions, and gain new information. The idea of expanding the group to include parent support groups from other areas (Gardiner, Hallowell, Winthrop, Waterville, Bangor) sprang up. The Spurwink School was also contacted because at that time they had a day program / school for children with autism. We eventually started having speakers from various area programs.
At that time we began our contact with ASA (then known as the National Society for Autistic Children – NSAC) and wrote our bylaws so that we could become an affiliated chapter. We first called our chapter the Maine Society of Autistic Children (MSAC) and later the Maine Chapter of the Autism Society of America (MCASA). However, another group in Maine had that same acronym so our name changed again, and we became the Autism Society of Maine (ASM).
We received funding from Developmental Disabilities Council, the State organization which provided funding for programs that served children with developmental disabilities. Initially we used the money to pay for speakers, food, respite for our meetings, and to hold conferences. Later, we wrote a grant to the Department of Education (DOE) and the Department of Mental Health and Corrections (now known as DHHS). We continued to receive some funding from the Developmental Disabilities Council.
We hired our first Executive Director and moved into our first office in Gardiner. There we evolved into an autism information referral service for the entire State of Maine. Today, we also run several statewide programs – Information Specialist Program, Summer Camp, and Family Retreat. We are currently located at 72B Main Street, Winthrop, ME.
Board of Directors
The Autism Society of Maine Board of Directors consists of 16 members, 4 are officers. The Board of Directors includes parents, individuals on the spectrum and professionals. This is a volunteer board. The Autism Society of Maine (ASM) holds it’s annual meeting to re-elect officers and new board members every September. If you are interested in becoming a board member please download an application.
Our current Board of Directors 2007-2008 is as follows:
- Kim Humphrey – President
- Lynda Mazzola – Vice President
- Linda Chamberlain – Past President
- Anna McArthur - Treasurer
- Stephanie Smith - Secretary
- Jennie Cloutier
- Elizabeth Field
- Judith Gove
- Lisa Howell
- Jill Jacobs
- Michael Lamoreau
- Don Mandell
- Lisa Mazzola
- Renee Randazzo
- Michelle Turner
- Kathy Williamson