LEND Training Director Kathryn Loukas honored with practitioner award from the Autism Society of Maine

The Maine Leadership Education for Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) program was honored to have Training Director Kathryn Loukas, O.T.D., M.S., OTR/L, FAOTA, clinical professor of Occupational Therapy at the University of New England, receive a prestigious award at the Autism Society of Maine’s annual meeting.

Former LEND trainee and Autism Society of Maine President, Laurie Raymond, presented the practitioner award, which recognizes Loukas’ outstanding professional contributions to the Autism Community of Maine through her work as an occupational therapist and LEND training director. Loukas worked in occupational therapy practice and research to champion the important transition from student to adult roles for youth on the autism spectrum. She has also been a leader in the community through events such as the annual evidence-based practice for people with autism expo and the Portland Seadogs autism awareness game. More recently, Loukas and Raymond have advocated for the needs of children and families on the autism spectrum through public policy initiatives.

LEND faculty members Stephen Meister, M.D., Nancy Cronin and Nancy Ponzetti-Dyer, Ph.D., were also honored with awards during the October 6, 2017 ceremony at the Augusta Country Club in Manchester, Maine. State Senator Shenna Bellows (D-Manchaster) delivered the keynote presentation and Maine LEND trainee and disability advocate Kim Humphrey also attended the event.

To learn more about the Maine LEND program, visit www.une.edu/LEND

To apply, visit www.une.edu/admissions