Contact
For more information contact Lianne Lissauer, Maine LEND program coordinator at (207) 221-4582.
Program Staff
Core Faculty
Additional Faculty
Nancy Cronin
Advocacy
Director of the ME Developmental Disabilities Council
Erika Lichter, Sc.D., M.A., M.S.
Epidemiology
Maternal and Child Health Epidemiologist, State of Maine and Associate Research Professor, University of Southern Maine Muskie School of Public Service
Stephen Meister, M.D.
Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics
Medical Director of the Edmund N. Ervin Pediatric Center at MaineGeneral Medical Center
Joanna Reidy
Family Faculty
Mother of a child with ND
2024鈥2025 trainees
Maine LEND is a federally-funded program in Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities. Spanning a spectrum of specializations, our trainees engage in didactic, clinical, and leadership experiences in order to provide enhanced and expanded services to those in Maine with autism, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, or other neurodevelopmental disabilities, their families, and their schools.
Jared Benoit
Jared Benoit is a Master of Occupational Therapy student at the 91直播视频. He also earned his B.S. at 91直播视频in Health, Wellness, and Occupational Studies with a specialization in Assistive Technology, graduating with honors. With a strong foundation in assistive technology and inclusive program design, Jared brings a diverse range of hands-on experience, including work in behavioral health, community-based programs, and school systems. As a UNESOTA student representative and coauthor of the MEOTA newsletter, he actively advocates for student engagement in the occupational therapy profession.
Known for his creativity and leadership, Jared has led innovative service initiatives, such as a school-based coffee cart program, and earned recognition through honors like the ULead Emerging Leader Award. He is passionate about empowering individuals through meaningful occupations, technology, and inclusive community participation.
Maggie Chang
Margaret Chang (Maggie) was born in Southern California but grew up just outside of Las Vegas in Henderson, Nevada. She attended Southern Oregon University for her undergraduate studies, where she received a bachelor鈥檚 degree in Pre-Physical Therapy with a minor in Business Administration. Maggie is currently in her third and final year of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the 91直播视频. She recently decided to continue residing in Maine because of the personal connections she鈥檚 cultivated within the community and her deep admiration for this beautiful state. Maggie鈥檚 goal is to become a pediatric physical therapist and eventually open her own practice to provide physical therapy services to the underrepresented pediatric population in the Southern Nevada region.
Andrea DiCiaccio
Andrea DiCiaccio is an aspiring audiologist with a passion for encouraging communication in all forms: verbal, written, and sign. She is currently a doctoral student coming from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where her graduate studies focused on speech, language, and hearing within the context of public health.
As an undergraduate student at Assumption University, Andrea was originally pursuing a career in speech-language pathology. But as part of an internship within Worcester Public Schools, she worked with pre-school children who were deaf or hard of hearing. Through this experience, a door was opened for her; she saw a path in which she was able to provide hearing care for children, which would serve as the foundation for her future path.
Human connection and patient-centered care have remained at the forefront in each of Andrea鈥檚 clinical placements. Helen Keller once said, 鈥淏lindness cuts us off from things, but deafness cuts us off from people.鈥 Andrea鈥檚 ultimate goal is to provide resources for students who are hard of hearing to gain full access to all materials in the classroom without extra barriers to learning.
Courtney Klausen
Courtney Klausen is an emerging Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) currently studying at the 91直播视频. She holds a bachelor鈥檚 in Exercise Science, which she earned in 2023 at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. While completing her degree, she was also a full-time student-athlete, where she received both academic and athletic honors all four years.
Inspired by her background in athletics and a passion for working with children, Courtney is interested in community inclusion and adaptive sports for those with neurodevelopmental disabilities. Although still early in her career, she has been a prominent member of the community, volunteering with Maine Adaptive, Special Olympics Maine, and other organizations to promote inclusion. On track to earn her DPT, she has started her own advocacy project that includes the creation and distribution of resources to local doctors鈥 offices, schools, and organizations to provide families with information on and awareness of how children can get involved in their communities.
In addition to her academic pursuits, Courtney loves to spend time outdoors, utilizing the beautiful mountains and beaches of southern Maine as well as socializing with her family and friends. Courtney hopes to integrate her enthusiasm for social engagement and outdoor activities into her future career. She is excited to continue to find her purpose and learn how she can best support and advocate for her community as she grows as a clinician.
Isabella Richardson
Isabella Richardson is a graduate of the University of Vermont, where she earned her bachelor鈥檚 in Neuroscience with a minor in Behavior Change Health Science. She is currently pursuing a master鈥檚 degree in Occupational Therapy at the 91直播视频, where she also serves as the GAPSA Senator for the Student Occupational Therapy Association.
Bella鈥檚 academic journey and personal experiences have inspired her passion for working with families and children with neurodevelopmental disabilities. Growing up with a brother with autism and a sister with ADHD, she developed a strong commitment to advocacy and creating inclusive environments where every individual feels supported and valued.
During her graduate studies, Bella has contributed to innovative, hands-on projects, including assisting the Occupational Therapy department at Falmouth Elementary School in developing a student-run coffee cart to build business and life skills. She has also volunteered with organizations such as Special Surfers, supporting individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities in gaining confidence and joy through adaptive surfing experiences.
Outside of her professional pursuits, Bella brings creativity and balance into her life through painting and spending time in nature. She looks forward to contributing her voice, leadership, and creativity as a Maine LEND trainee, with the goal of advancing advocacy and interdisciplinary collaboration for individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities and their families.
Julia White
Julia White is an emerging Occupational Therapist currently pursuing a master's in Occupational Therapy from the 91直播视频. Julia is passionate about helping individuals support meaningful activities in their daily lives and advocating for others鈥 needs.
As she continues her education, Julia is dedicated to creating compassionate and supportive environments when working with clients and creating spaces where people are seen and heard. This dedication began with the creation of the Hope Garden: a tulip garden symbolizing connectedness in the mental health community.
Julia also values pursuing emerging and underserved roles in the occupational therapy field. They look forward to completing their fieldwork placements and contributing to advancements in the profession.