Disclaimer - References in this web site to any specific products, services or therapies do not constitute its endorsement or recommendation by The Autism Society of Maine. ASM is not responsible for the contents of any "off-site" web page referenced from this server.
Autism Society
The Autism Society of Maine is an affilliate of the Autism Society, a non-profit organization which advocates services for individuals with Autism Nationwide.
Call Center: Monday thru Friday from 9:00am to 9:00pm 1-800-328-8476
Advocacy & Legal Rights
Disability Rights Center: Provides individuals with information about their rights and service systems, and represents individuals at meetings and hearings by providing legal services to individuals and groups.
Developmental Disabilities Council: To help ensure that individuals with developmental disabilities and their families participate in the design of, and have access to needed community services, individualized supports, and other forms of assistance.
Pine Tree Legal: Legal services to Maine people with low incomes.
Wrights Law: Information about special education law, education law, and advocacy for children with disabilities.
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Assistive Technology / Communications
Speech Language and Assistive Technology Services, Pine Tree Society: Speech language pathologists provide a full range of speech, language and assistive technology services for children and adults with disabilities to support communication, learning and employment.
AllTech, Spurwink: Technical assistance to support the development of knowledge and skills for individuals who have disabilities, their families and educators, service providers, employers and health/disability-related agencies.
Center on Technology and Disability: The Center is designed to increase the capacity of families and providers to advocate for, acquire, and implement effective assistive and instructional technology (AT/IT) practices, devices, and services.
Maine CITE (Consumer Information and Training Exchange): Maine CITE is a statewide project designed to help make assistive and universally designed technology more available to Maine children and adults who have disabilities.
University of Maine at Farmington, Center for Assistive Technology: The Center for Assistive Technology provides information about assistive technology (AT), how to use and evaluate various AT devices, and a place to view AT equipment. The center is available free to individuals with disabilities and their families, UMF students, faculty, professionals in the community.
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Autism Safety
Autism Society of Maine Autism Safety Page: A resource for parents of children with Autism regarding safety issues such as wandering and fire safety. Information for first responders and/or police officers to better understand the interaction that may occur between law enforcement and Autism.
AWAARE Collaboration: Autism and wandering safety resources including tracking technology and safety materials. Resources for parents, caregivers, first responders, educators, physicians and therapists.
PACER: National Bullying Prevention Center provides information and resources for students, parents and educators.
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Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS)
Children's Behavioral Health: Case Management, Home & Community Based Treatment Services, Rights/Grievances, Service Provider List, Special Education regulations for parents & Privacy Policy.
MaineCare Information: News and information regarding MaineCare and how it relates to individuals with Autism, their families and caregivers.
MaineCare Eligibility: How to apply, cost, getting an application and help with filling out application.
Katie Beckett Option: Katie Beckett is a MaineCare option for children with serious health conditions. It is one of the many ways your child can get MaineCare. If your child meets the rules for this option, your child can get MaineCare full benefits.
Respite Services: NAMI Maine Family Respite exists to assist families by enabling a much needed break in the responsibility of caring for a child with significant developmental delays, and behavioral or emotional disorders.
Developmental Services - Adults: Adult Protection Services, Behavioral Regulations, Case Management, Crisis Services, Community Inclusion & Supported Employment, MaineCare Waiver Services, Person-Centered Planning, Provider Directory, Shared living Model, Training Information, Supports Intensity Scale.
Guardianship and Alternatives: Information for anyone seeking information on adult guardianship, conservatorship, or alternatives to guardianship.
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Family Alliance of Family Organizations (MAFO)
MAFO: A statewide alliance that formed to better serve families of children with disabilities and special health care needs, and to strengthen family voice.
Adoptive & Foster Families of Maine, Inc. (AFFM): Provides statewide support services for adoptive and foster parents, and kinship families.
Autism Society of Maine (ASM): Provides lifelong access and opportunity for all individuals on the Autism spectrum to become participating members of their communities.
G.E.A.R Parent Network: Empowers parents/caregivers of children with behavioral health family needs to build on family strength, promote hope and self reliance and advocate for family family's needs.
Maine Parent Federation (MPF): Offers support to parents of individuals with disabilities through each of its projects.
NAMI Maine: Dedicated to building better lives for the one in four Mainers affected by mental illness.
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Housing
Maine State Housing Authority: MaineHousing offers programs and services that make housing more affordable to Maine people
HUD in Maine: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Homes & Community website.
Specialized Housing, Inc/20 E Street: Providers of support at 20 E Street, South Portland, a home ownership program for adults with developmental disabilities.
Community Housing of Maine (CHOM): is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that as its core mission provides advocacy, supportive housing, community inclusion, and stability for homeless and special needs populations across the state. CHOM also provides workforce housing for people who can't afford to live near their work.
Achieving Independence In Maine (AIM): A program designed to launch young adults with ASD's into adulthood through focused attention on skill building and expanding natural community supports.
Home Buying Help Guide for the Disabled: This guide has been createdto help individuals living with disabilities, and their family members, in the process of buying a home of their own.
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National Resources
Autism Society: exists to improve the lives of all affected by Autism. Advocates for appropriate services for individuals across the lifespan, and providing the latest information regarding treatment, education, research and advocacy.
Autism Speaks: dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for Autism; increasing awareness of Autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with Autism and their families.
Aspergers/Autism Network (AANE): AANE's mission is to foster awareness, respect, acceptance, and support for individuals with AS and related conditions and their families. Click here for information about the AANE Maine Chapter.
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Therapeutic
Weighted Blankets
New England Adaptive Equipment: The deep pressure provided to the nervous system from wearing a weighted vest, lap pillow or blanket provides a calming effect to a sensory disordered child which would allow that child to function in an otherwise over-stimulating atmosphere. To find out more please call, (207) 269-2816.
Music Therapy
Music Therapy Resource: This website provides information about the field of music therapy and lists the music therapists in the state of Maine and the areas they serve.
Service Dogs
NEADS, National Education for Assistance Dog Services: is a non-profit organization established in 1976. Social dogs serve as assistants and companions to children ages 6 and up who are on the Autism spectrum or have another disability.
Telling Tales Training Center: Fryeburg, ME. Positive training techniques that will enhance the dog and human relationship
Therapeutic Horseback Riding
Carlisle Academy: Lyman, ME. One of the largest centers in the Northeast Region and a PATH International (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) Premier Accredited Center providing safe and therapeutically beneficial programs. The PATH certified instructors, paid horse handlers, occupational and physical therapists, and trained therapy horses in our Therapy & Adaptive Program allow us to serve a broad population with a variety of needs. Scholarship Opportunities: www.carlislecharitablefoundation.org
Dance Therapy
The Center for Creative Healing: Dance therapy for children and adults. (South Portland, ME)
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Toolkits; Resources Regarding Living with Autism
Autism Society: Next Steps: (for families new to Autism), Siblings, School Peers, Supporting Students, College, Puberty, Victims of Crime, Sleep, and Transition Across Grade Levels. There are more toolkits available regarding living with Autism that can be downloaded.
Autism Speaks: Family Supports - 100 Day Kit for Newly Diagnosed Family, Medication Decision Guide, Challenging Behaviors, IEP's, Transition, and School Resources. There are more toolkits available regarding Autism that can be downloaded.
Maine Autism Institute for Education and Research - Resource guides for: What to do when you suspect an ASD, Accessing educational services, social services and interventions and Resource Guide for Maine Families.
Maine Developmental Disability Council: Community Support Toolkit: A Toolkit for Assessing Adult Developmental Services. MaineCare Section 29 Edition - Community Supports Waiver.
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