Autism Spectrum Disorders, Autistic Disorder, Asperger's Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Autism Society of Maine

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.

Autism Society of Maine Options Policy

The Autism Society of Maine promotes the active and informed involvement of family members and the individual with autism in the planning of individualized, appropriate services and supports. Click here tot read the Autism Society of Maine Options Policy.

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.

Members of ASM Board of Directors

Lynda Mazzola, President:

Lynda is a Speech and Language Pathologist in private practice who primarily sees children on the Autism Spectrum. She has been in the field for over 30 years and is one of the founding members of ASM.

Janine Collins, Vice-President:

Janine is an adult with ASD. She has a background in Special Education and Social Work. She taught for nine years before working in case management for five years. She presently works as a research associate for the Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies with emphases on ASD, transition, improved service delivery, and adult services. Her experience includes work with children, youth, and adults with a variety of disabilities including ASD. In addition to her work for the ASM Board, she serves on two advisory councils for a social service agency in the Portland area. She lives in Saco with her service dog, Jake.

Michael Lamoreau, Treasurer:

Mike has a 25-year-old son with Asperger's Syndrome. He facilitates a social group for young adults with autism. He works as an Auditor for the State of Maine.

Kim Humphrey, Past President:

Kim Humphrey is the mother of a young adult with Autism. She networked extensively on issues of transition to adulthood, to help her son acquire his current placement, a home in Lewiston. She has a Master's in Public Health/biostatistics from Yale University, a BA from Smith College and is also a certified Holistic Health Practitioner. Before having two children and moving to Maine she worked at the University of Massachusetts Medical School as a Research Associate/Data Manager and Seminar Leader. She is currently rejuvenating her interest in the health field. She lives in Auburn.

Cindy Bernstein:

Cindy is the mother of three children diagnosed with autism. She has been a speech/language pathologist for 16 years and is currently in private practice working with infants, toddlers and preschoolers. Cindy recently completed a Master's in educational leadership with the purpose of understanding how to best advocate for her and all children with autism navigating through the public school system.

Jane Brennan:

Jane Brennan serves as the Director of Education and Child Care at the Children's Center in Augusta, an agency that provides services for preschool children with special needs - including autism. She has previously worked as a pre-kindergarten teacher and a literacy project coordinator. Brennan has taught courses at Andover College, Kennebec Valley Community College, the University of Maine, Augusta and the University of Maine, Orono. She received a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Special Education from the University of Maine, Farmington. She earned a Master's Degree in Early Intervention at the University of Maine, Orono. She lives in Winthrop.

Anne Graham:

Anne Palmer Graham, MSN, RN, CNP is a pediatric nurse practitioner and a health consultant for individuals, schools, and public and private institutions. She has worked at Yarmouth Health Center, Healthy Kids of Maine, and Maine Neurology where her work included providing neurological care to children, including those with autism. Graham received a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing from Boston College. She earned a Masters Degree in Pediatric Nursing from Yale. She is also on the North Yarmouth Board of Selectmen. She lives in North Yarmouth.

Liza Little:

Liza Little, Psy.D., RNCS is the Associate Director of Clinical Services at Spurwink. She oversees the clinical and administrative operations of youth in residence at Spurwink. She promotes and provides training, supports research initiatives, and acts as a liaison between the state and community stakeholders. Little is a research consultant, registered nurse, and a licensed clinical psychologist. Along with her nursing experience, Dr. Little has over a decade of academic research in the area of autism spectrum disorders and teaching experience, as well as extensive skill in private practice and public service consultation. She is a parent of a young adult on the spectrum. Little holds a Bachelor's Degree in Zoology and a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing - both from the University of Vermont. She has a Master's Degree in Nursing from McGill University in Montreal and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Antioch, New Hampshire. She lives in South Portland.

Joseph Stone:

Joseph Stone is a certified Mental Health Rehabilitation Technician currently working with adults through Support Solutions. He has worked with elderly people through Home Resources of Maine. He is a current member of the Autism Society of Maine, has provided respite at the Autism Society of Maine's Family Retreat, and participates in a social group for adults on the Spectrum. He is an adult with Asperger's Syndrome. Stone attended Unity College majoring in Liberal Arts. He received a Bachelor's Degree in Social Science at the University of Maine, Augusta. He lives in Winthrop.

Beth Whitehouse:

Beth Whitehouse is a registered nurse, has taught sixth grade science, math, and language arts, has run a day care program, and has experience with event planning and fundraising. She received an Associate Degree in Applied Science in Nursing from the University of New England, Biddeford. She also earned a Bachelor's Degree in Science in Elementary Education from the University of New England. Whitehouse is the parent of a child with autism. She lives in East Millinocket.

The Autism Society of Maine Board of Directors consists of up to 15 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.