Gov. Mills headlines celebration for Autism center in Portland
The Glickman Lauder Center of Excellence in Autism and Developmental Disorders opened this past August
The Glickman Lauder Center of Excellence in Autism and Developmental Disorders opened this past August
The Glickman Lauder Center of Excellence in Autism and Developmental Disorders opened this past August
The Glickman Lauder Center of Excellence in Autism and Developmental Disorders in Portland celebrated its opening on Wednesday with an event headlined by Gov. Janet Mills.
The center opened in August of 2021, but the celebration had been delayed due to COVID-19.
The center is the only multi-discipline center in northern New England for people with autism and developmental disabilities. Officials at the center hope that having a one-stop-shop for services will streamline care for families.
"Families are greatly challenged by trying to raise a child with these challenges, and they need a whole community," said Dr. Matthew Siegel, the chief medical officer at Maine Behavioral Healthcare. "They need a place that has all the providers they need, whether it's special teachers, psychologists, speech pathologists, occupational therapists, or many other disciplines. What they really need is for all those people to be in one place, so the family can get what they need in one place. And that's what we're seeking to provide."
In her speech at the event, Mills talked about the center's adult treatment, a subject which is personal to her.
"One of those adults is my grandson, my oldest grandson, Zack, he's 23," Mills said. "And he has been making that transition from childhood services to adult services during the pandemic. Not an easy thing. So I feel your pain."
The governor says the center is a step forward in the fight against Autism.
“The Glickman Lauder Center of Excellence will provide a wide range of nationally recognized evidence-based services for both children and adults," Mills said, addressing health officials and donors for the center. "On behalf of the 1.3 million people in the state of Maine, all Maine families and their loved ones, and those who will be served by this center, I sincerely thank all of you for your efforts to make today's opening possible."