Winthrop, Maine 1-800-273-5200

"Coffee with Cathy" Series with Cathy Dionne, ASM & Guests

June 23, 2022 - "Modified Leisure Skills for Older Students & Communication within Functional Routines"  Rosemarie Griffin, MA, CCC/SLP, BCBA, 
In this training we will discuss the importance of leisure skills for older students and of working on communication within functional routines. 

May 11, 2022 - "Achieving Success with Autism"  Tyler McNamer, Author of "Population One" Tyler will discuss how he overcame adversity and triumphed against all odds and captured his story in his bestselling book Population ONE: Autism, Adversity, and the Will to Succeed he wrote at only 17 years old.

April 27, 2022 - "Neurodiversity Panel and First Person Perspective" Passcode O^zK8&w& - Dr. Kerry Magro, The goal of this presentation is to educate educators, therapists & caregivers onneurodiversity from a first-person perspective breaking down current biases around autism. Panelists: Olivia, Amanda Alonzo, and Brigid Rankowski.

April 20, 2022 - "Exploring the Autism Diagnosis: The Forgotten Generation" Brigid Rankowki M.S. Spotlight on the challenges, barriers, and benefits of receiving a diagnosis in adulthood. Panelists: Cynthia Grimm, Andrew Komorow, Lisa Morgan 

April 13, 2022 - "Unique Risk Markers and Warning Signs of Suicide for Autistic People"  Lisa Morgan, M.Ed. Learn the unique risk markers and warning signs of suicide for autistic people, as well as how to communicate with and support autistic people in crisis.

November 19, 2021 -  The Maine ABLE Program, ABLE ME  Mikayla Smith, Vice President, Bangor Savings Bank & Cathy Dionne, ASM Executive Director. Learn more about ABLE accounts, tax-advantaged accounts for individuals with disabilities and their families - established and maintained by the Maine State Treasurer and administered by Bangor Savings Bank. 

APRIL 28, 2021 - "Exploring Depression and Beating the Blues"  Professor Tony Attwood PhD and Dr. Michelle Garnett PhD. For people with ASDs, depression is common, and has particular features and causes. the webinar will explain and describe depression, the forms it can take, and how it looks and feels for a person on the autism spectrum. 

APRIL 22, 2021 - (PART TWO) "Effective Social Skills Training" with Dr. Jed Baker, Ph.D. Details and strategies to motivate individuals to learn, ways to teach social skills, how to generalize skills into the natural setting and increas acceptance and tolerance from peers.

APRIL 15, 2021 - (PART ONE) "Managing Frustration, Anxiety & Meltdowns in the New Normal" Guest: Jed Baker, Ph.D. describes how to handle restricted activities, remote learning, and altered school routines. It also covers how to deal with meltdowns and design effective behavior plans to prevent frustration and manage anxiety.

March 18, 2021 -  ASD & Mental Health Guests: Dr. Matt Siegel and Dr. Emily Siegel will discuss the effects of a year-long pandemic and how this relates to mental health issue and Autism Spectrum Disorders. Download the slide presentation

February 25, 2021 - "Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Accounts"  Guest: Andrew Komorow, Special Needs Account Consultant. Individuals with disabilities and tax-free savings accounts without affecting eligibility for government benefits. Download the slide presentation  

June 26, 2020 - “Crisis Supports for the Autism Community” Guest: Lisa Morgan, M.Ed. CAS. Suicide prevention and postvention resources to be a better fit for autistic adults, as well as, to spread awareness of the resources available to the autism community. 

June 12, 2020 - “What it is Like to Be an Adult in Quarantine” Guest: Dr. Kerry Magro. Struggles for adults and the quarantine - change in routine, unemployment, isolation and more.

May 29, 2020 - "Social stories can be used in many different formats" Guest: Kristie Brown Lofland, Autism/Educational Consultant. PECS (picture exchange communication system) program. 

May 15, 2020 - "Re-entering school in the fall and perperation" Guest: Dr. James Ball. Re-entering school in the fall, some of the challenges families may face, strategies and plans to help families and children prepare. Transition Workbook

May 8, 2020 - "What does ESY services look like during COVID 19" Guest: Ben Jones Attorney, Disability Rights Maine. IEP’s during COVID 19, and what can parents do if their school is not reaching out to them or the student. 

May 1, 2020 - "ID/DD and group home settings and the difficulty they may face" Guest Nancy Cronin Executive, Director of Maine Developmental Disabilities Council.

April 24, 2020 - "How this new environment of being home effects children's learning, social, and home life" Guest: Carrie Woodcock, Executive Director of Maine Parent Federation.

April 17, 2020 - "Occupational therapy needs" Guest: Guest: Caryn Husman, MS, OTR/L. What parents can do at home with their children and meeting their occupational therapy needs. 

April 10, 2020 - "Anxiety of being home with your child(ren) and what that may look like and what could help" Guest: Dr. Nancy Ponzetti-Dyer, retired child psychologist.

April 8, 2020  "So your child is home and you are seeing increased behaviors" Guests: James Ball, Ed, D., BCBA-D & Kristie Brown Lofland, M.S., CCC-A.  Discussion: The struggles and behaviors that families may be experiencing while their children are home during this time of COVID-19.

April 3, 2020 -  "Home with children and meeting their needs" Guest: Jennifer Brooking. Children at home and trying to continue meeting their needs.