Autism and Developmental Disorder Services
Coordinated Specialty Care for Children and Adults with Developmental Challenges
Our team of experts assesses and treats emotional and behavioral challenges in people diagnosed with developmental disorders such as autism. Comprehensive treatment services are provided at two adjacent care centers.
Services are delivered by professionals who specialize in the unique needs of people with developmental disorders. Our multi-disciplinary teams include child and adult psychiatrists, developmental behavioral pediatricians, behavioral psychologists, behavior analysts, occupational and speech therapists, nurses, social workers, case managers and special educators.
Outpatient Services
The outpatient clinic is for patients diagnosed with autism or an intellectual disability who are experiencing emotional or behavioral health challenges. New referrals to our clinic begin with a comprehensive behavioral health assessment, followed by referrals to additional services as recommended by our team. Services may include:
- Psychiatry
- Developmental behavioral pediatrics
- Behavioral psychology
- Behavior analysis
- Speech language therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Case management
- Individual and family therapy
The outpatient clinic also provides follow-up services that continue the plan of care for patients who have participated in our more intensive inpatient and day treatment programs.
Questions and Referrals
Referrals must be made by your primary care doctor. MaineHealth physicians can refer through the EPIC electronic health record. For more information, please call 207-661-3600.
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 day treatment 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 day treatment 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 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 three with an established or suspected diagnosis of autism. The program provides team-based care that includes:
- Special educators
- Educational technicians
- Board-certified behavior analysts
- Social workers
- Speech and language pathologists
- Occupational therapists
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.
For more information, please contact Lucy Lambert at 207-661-3600 or llambert@mainebehavioralhealthcare.org
Donna Andrews, LCSW- Social Worker - Outpatient Clinic
Kate Bennett, SLP - Speech Language Pathologist - Preschool Day Treatment
Anne Brown, LCSW- Social Worker - K-12 Day Treatment
Miles Cleary, LCSW - Social Worker - Outpatient Clinic
Christine Dub, PhD, BCBA - Psychologist - Outpatient Clinic
Kiely Foley, NP - Psychiatry - Outpatient Clinic
Lesley Fine, SLP - Speech Language Pathologist - K-12 Day Treatment
Colleen Foley-Ingersoll, M.Ed., BCBA - Behavior Analyst - Outpatient Clinic
Alison Ginn, MA, BCBA - Behavior Analyst - K-12 Day Treatment
Ashland Hanson, BCBA - Behavior Analyst - Preschool Day Treatment
Linda Herling, MS, OTR/L - Occupational Therapist - Preschool Day Treatment
Colin Lamb, MD – Psychiatrist – Outpatient Clinic
Crisoula Sicoli, SLP – Speech Language Pathologist - Outpatient Clinic
Kimberly Loika-Smith, LCSW - Social Worker - Outpatient Clinic
Tina Schwarz, RN - Nurse Manager - Outpatient Clinic
Megan Meinking, MS, OTR/L - Occupational Therapist - Outpatient Clinic
Nicholas Meintel, LCSW - Social Worker - Outpatient Clinic
Matthew Nilsson, MD - Psychiatrist - Outpatient Clinic
Lindsay Payeur, BCBA - Behavior Analyst - Outpatient Clinic
Kristin Reed, SLP - Speech Language Pathologist - Early Intervention STEPP Maine & Preschool Day Treatment
Michele Rock, DO - Developmental Behavioral Pediatrician - Outpatient Clinic
Matthew Siegel, MD - Psychiatrist - Outpatient Clinic
Danielle Sipsock, MD - Psychiatrist - Outpatient Clinic
Alison Thaxter, DPT - Physical Therapist - K-12 and Preschool Day Treatment
Courtney Walter, PhD - Psychologist - Outpatient Clinic
Emily Wasina, MS, OTR/L - Occupational Therapist - K-12 Day Treatment
We look forward to seeing you in our outpatient clinic where the goal is to provide the best possible experience for you and your family members. Before your first visit, we invite you to review the following materials that describe a typical visit to the center:
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 member.
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.
Inpatient Services
Spring Harbor Hospital
Spring Harbor Academy
Partial Hospitalization Services
Our partial hospitalization program provides telehealth treatment for children and young adults with behavioral challenges that prevent them from attending school but do not require inpatient hospitalization. It often serves as a virtual bridge that supports patients who are transitioning back to the community after hospitalization.