Developmental Disorder Services | MaineHealth Behavioral Health

We provides high-quality outpatient care through an evidence-based, multidisciplinary approach. Our target population is children, adolescents and adults who have an established diagnosis of autism and/or intellectual disabilities and are experiencing significant behavioral health challenges requiring a team approach to care.

All new patients participate in an assessment by a social worker or psychologist to gain understanding of the patient’s strengths and treatment needs. The second visit is with a psychiatrist who will assess medical needs and make recommendations for continued treatment which may include individual or family psychotherapy, parent teaching in behavior management strategies, case management, and/or group treatment.

Care includes follow-up services that continue the plan of care for patients who have participated in our more intensive inpatient, partial hospitalization and day treatment programs.

Questions and Referrals

To access our services, we require a referral from the patient's primary or specialty care provider, such as a PCP, developmental-behavioral pediatrician or neurologist.

• MaineHealth providers may refer through Epic
• Non-MaineHealth providers may fax referrals to 207-810-4991

Questions? Please call 207-661-3600 and press 6 to speak with the referral specialist.

About Your Visit

Our goal is to provide the best possible experience for you and your family. Before your first visit, we invite you to review the following materials:

• Clinician Appointment Schedule
• Doctor Appointment Schedule
• New Patient Story

If you have not already done so, please also complete our Care Excellence form prior to your first visit. The information you provide will help us deliver the best possible experience for you and your family.

We have designed our facility with the needs of people with autism and other developmental disorders in mind. Helpful resources located right next to our clinic waiting room include:

• Family Resource Room: A Family Resource Specialist is available in this room during most business hours. They are there to support patients and their families with conversation and resources.
• Relaxation Room: Our relaxation room is available for individuals who may need a quiet space to take a break while waiting for their appointment.
• Behavioral Technician: We have a behavioral technician designated to outpatient services who can support patients in having a successful appointment.

You are welcome to use these resources as needed while visiting our practice.
 

Our K-12 program provides year-round, integrated, intensive services for children and adolescents with autism or intellectual disability who are not succeeding in their current school setting due to emotional or behavioral challenges. Services are provided in an educational setting that prepares the child to successfully return to their home school. 

Our expert team of clinicians and educators are rooted in applied behavioral analysis. We work with both the child and family to stabilize behaviors and enhance educational functioning at school and home. Care teams include:

• Special educators
• Behavior analysts
• Social workers
• Speech, occupational and physical therapists
• Child psychiatrists
• Specially-trained nurses

The program serves children and adolescents five - 22 years old who live within commuting distance.

Questions and Referrals 

School districts facilitate referrals through the IEP process. For more information, please call 207-661-3600.

The preschool program provides year-round, intensive, evidence-based treatment for children with autism aged three - five years old. Our highly-trained special educators utilize applied behavior analysis with integrated speech, occupational and physical therapy; nursing; and social work services to support every child.

Care team members work with children and families to acquire skills for school readiness, behavioral regulation and social communication. Our program partners with families so that learning strategies can extend into the home and become part of daily routines.

Questions and Referrals 

Child Development Services (CDS) facilitates referral through the IEP process. For more information, please call 207-661-3600.

Our early intensive behavioral intervention program, (also known as the Systematic Treatment and Early Parent Partnership for Maine or STEPP Maine) provides year-round treatment for children under the age of five with an established of autism. The program provides team-based care that includes:

• Board-certified behavior analysts
• Registered behavior technicians/behavioral health professionals
• Speech and language pathologists
• Occupational therapist

We focus on establishing core communication skills and independence in daily routines. Partnership with parents is a key ingredient in achieving the best outcome for each child. We help parents and home caregivers apply structured approaches to learning and growth.

Questions and Referrals

Children can be referred by their doctor or through Child Development Services. MaineHealth doctors can refer through EPIC. Early intensive behavior intervention accepts commercial insurance and MaineCare (section 28). Our team will support the family with the enrollment process.

For more information, please call 207-661-3600.

Inpatient services at MaineHealth Behavioral Health at Spring Harbor support people with developmental disorders who cannot function safely outside of a hospital setting. Intensive inpatient care for those who need it. Specially trained clinicians and care givers achieve excellent patient outcomes through a combination of expert programming, evidence-based protocols, and the individual potential of each patient. Learn more about inpatient developmental disorder care.

Our partial-hospitalization program provides telehealth treatment for children and young adults who are experiencing emotional, social or behavioral challenges that impair their ability to function successfully. We provide an intensive weekday treatment program where patients and their families learn and practice new ways to manage emotions and behavior. Treatment usually lasts 3-6 weeks. Learn more about partial hospitalization services.

Spring Harbor Academy is a private school for children and adolescents who have been admitted to the developmental disorders program at MaineHealth Behavioral Health at Spring Harbor. Located within the hospital, the academy runs 32 hours each week, Monday - Friday, all year long. Learn more about Spring Harbor Academy.

Family Advisory Council Member Expectations

Background

The mission of the Glickman Lauder Center of Excellence in Autism and Developmental Disorders is to provide a behavioral health home for individuals with autism and other developmental disorders through a multi-disciplinary, evidence-based continuum of care, where families are supported as they help their loved ones achieve their greatest potential. In support of that mission, we believe the addition of a Family Advisory Council will provide a mechanism for family members to share their perspectives and inform the center’s work.

Purpose of the Family Advisory Council

The purpose of the council is to provide a platform for families to highlight the aspects of service which are important to them. This will allow the GLCOE an opportunity to engage families as partners in the work we do and help to guide service delivery.

Qualifications

• Council members are volunteers.
• Must be a current patient or family member of a patient.
• Members must be at least 18 years old.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Commit to a three-year term.
• Function as advisors to the COE and help to inform COE processes.
• Provide a patient voice and perspective in targeted areas identified by COE Leadership.
• Commit to 4 council meetings per year, with the possibility of additional subcommittee meetings.
• Review and respond to council communications via email.
• Keep all discussion and email communication confidential.
• Collaborate with other council members in a respectful manner.

Reflection Questions before Joining the FAC

• Can I make a commitment to the time the Family Advisory Council duties require? (Quarterly meetings and the opportunity for subcommittee work)
• Am I able to provide helpful input and suggestions which consider not only my family’s experience but others as well?
• Do I have ideas I am willing to share which could affect how services are delivered?
• Do I think I can contribute as an advisor rather than an advocate? (An advisor being one that helps to inform a process vs an advocate who works to achieve a particular outcome)
• Do I have any barriers that will prevent me from participating on the council?

Application Process

Candidates should complete the online application by December 1, 2024. Once GLCOE leadership reviews the applications, they will schedule interviews with candidates. 

Questions?

Please contact Jodie Hall at Jodie.Hall@MaineHealth.org or 207-661-3600

Our Community Advisory Council provides valuable insight and guidance for our priorities, challenges and opportunities—with a focus on remaining responsive and engaged with our community. The council functions as an advisory body in support of the mission of MaineHealth Behavioral Health Autism and Developmental Disorders Portland.

The council includes parents and grandparents of adults and children with developmental disorders, individuals with a developmental disorder, and representatives of state and national advocacy organizations, nationally recognized treatment centers, Maine state agencies, the MaineHealth Behavioral Health local board, the MaineHealth Board, and program leadership.

Committee members include:

• Kelly Barton, MPH, FACHE, President, MaineHealth Behavioral Health
• Jay Collins, Self-advocate, Maine community member
• Cathy Dionne, Executive Director, Autism Society of Maine
• Colleen Foley-Ingersoll, Senior Director, Developmental Disorders Service, MaineHealth Behavioral Health
• Tami Goldsmith, Parent, Maine community member
• Elizabeth Hopkins, Associate Director, Maine Office of Aging and Disability Services
• Bryan King, MD, Vice Chair for Child Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco
• Donna Murray, PhD, Vice President, Former Head of Clinical Programs, Autism Speaks
• Wendi O’Donovan, Parent, Maine community member, Co-Chair of Capital Campaign
• Nancy Pond, Grandparent, Maine community member, Co-Chair of Capital Campaign
• Erin Soucy, Parent, Maine community member
• Lucy Tucker, Board Member, MaineHealth Behavioral Health
• Jessica Wood, Children’s Behavioral Health Manager, Department of Health and Human Services