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On April 28, 13 Maine Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) trainees, representing 10 health professions, presented their final elective projects.

This group had hands-on experience in family-centered practice, interprofessional teams, inclusion in the community, cultural considerations, and strengths-based programming for children and young adults with neurodevelopmental disabilities. As part of the LEND experience, the team participated in didactic training, family led experiences, community observations, their own practice called Family Interprofessional Team (FIT), and policy-based advocacy on the state and national levels.  

The welcome for the ceremony was completed by LEND program director Eileen Ricci, PT, D.P.T., M.S., PCS, and the closure was done by program training director Kathryn Loukas, OTD, M.S., OTR/L, FAOTA.

The presented elective projects included everything from Gestalt language development, creating work programs on the Biddeford campus for youth with disabilities, to the integration of early childhood intervention services in rural and urban Maine. 

Maine LEND trainee, Allison Casciotti (M.S.O.T., ’23) did her final project on Supported Employment for high school students with developmental disabilities. She said she believes her work along with her peer’s work could have a strong impact on a local level.

"The ceremony highlighted the dedication of our strong group to the population we all want to serve – children and families. I learned a lot throughout my final project, and I was excited to share it. I hope my work will be of some benefit,” Casciotti remarked.