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: MaineHealth Behavioral Health at Spring Harbor (inpatient program) and MaineHealth Behavioral Health Autism and Developmental Disorders Portland (outpatient and education programs).
Our Services
Learn more about our services by watching a short video.
More about our services
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:
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.
The purpose of our Family Advisory Council is to provide a platform for families and patients to highlight the aspects of service which are important to them. We are pleased to engage these families as partners in the work we do, and to help guide developmental disorders service delivery.
Committee members include:
- Melissa Cucinotta
- Mary Haibon
- Christyna McCormack
- Angela Stewart
Interested in learning more? Please contact Jodie Hall, 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
