About the LEND program
The Maine Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) program is a federally-funded project aimed at expanding resources to individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (ND) in the state.
Goals
The program’s goals include training healthcare providers, parents, educators, and others to improve the health of children and others with ASD. It will focus on timely diagnosis, effective services, transition to the workforce, and social integration at all ages.
For children with complex cerebral palsy (CP) and other neuromotor disabilities, training will address early identification and diagnosis, provision of integrated clinical and community services, and increasing participation in family and peer activities such as school and the workplace.
Training
LEND training includes classroom and experiential learning, parent and provider conferences, and the visitation of key agencies throughout the state.
Each year, long-term trainees from up to 10 different disciplines (including family members) receive 300 hours of training over the course of nine months. This involves mentored experiences in clinical settings, classroom sessions, and community experiences to learn best practices, interprofessional teamwork, leadership development, and advocacy activities to prepare them to take on leadership roles in their respective fields.
Download the Maine LEND Brochure (PDF)
UNE/Maine LEND Pediatric Physical Therapy Residency Program
UNE and the Maine LEND have established a Pediatric Physical Therapy Residency Program (PDF). The mission of the program is to prepare residents for clinical specialty and independent advanced practice in pediatric physical therapy.
Residency Accreditation
UNE/Maine LEND Pediatric PT Residency Program is currently in developing status and will be applying for candidacy status, the first step in accreditation, in 2024. Participants who graduate from a program in developing or candidacy status are not deemed to have completed an accredited program.
Download the Residency Program Application (PDF)
Outcomes to Date
- Three (3) Residents have graduated from the program to date.
- Two residency graduates have taken the ABPTS Pediatric Clinical Specialty exam and passed in 2021 and 2022. The third graduate’s exam results are not yet available.
- All program graduates are currently practicing in Maine in the field of Pediatric Physical Therapy, serving rural and underserved children and families with neurodevelopmental disabilities.
Partners
UNE is collaborating with several community partners including Maine Medical Center, Maine General Hospital, and Northeast Hearing and Speech. Specialists from all over the state serve as instructors, mentors, liaisons, and role models. In turn, the LEND program builds and strengthens community and rural partnerships and engages underserved populations to deliver services and increase knowledge.
Are you a new parent?
We are looking into how easy or hard it is for parents to use a free smartphone app that will help doctors know if your baby is at high risk for problems with sitting, walking, or other early movements.
Your child may qualify to participate in this study if he/she:
- Born Full Term (40 weeks)
- Will soon be aged 10-16 weeks
- Had any problems before, during, or after birth
- Was admitted and discharged from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
What will I have to do?
- Sign a consent form
- Record a 2–3 minute video of your baby using a smartphone app between 10–16 weeks old
- Complete a survey (5 minutes) about using the app
To learn more information about this study or how you can participate, email the research team at babymoves@une.com. You will be compensated with a $50 Amazon gift card for your time.
Contact
For more information contact Lianne Lissauer, Maine LEND program coordinator at (207) 221-4582.
