About Us
Founded in 2022, the Mary W. Parker Autism Center at the Institute of Living delivers comprehensive, evidence-based, multidisciplinary care for autistic* individuals across their lifespan. We are dedicated to supporting individuals, families, and communities throughout Connecticut through exceptional clinical services, innovative research, and education.
We offer
- Comprehensive psychological and psychiatric diagnostic evaluations for ASD
- Individual outpatient therapy
- Medication management services
- Speech-language pathology services
- Consultation services
Our team of healthcare professionals has specialized skills in the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of children, adolescents, and adults with ASD and other neurodevelopmental disorders, as well as co-occurring mental health challenges such as anxiety and depression.
* The Mary W. Parker Autism Center uses identity-first (e.g., “autistic person”) language to reflect the opinions regarding terminology within the autistic community, although we respect individual patient preferences with regard to terminology.
What We Do
Diagnostic Evaluations
- Comprehensive diagnostic evaluations using evidence-based and best-practice tools
- Integrated reports and treatment recommendations
- Structured feedback sessions
Outpatient Therapy
- Therapy utilizing evidence-based approaches to address individual, group, and family needs
- Treatment of co-occurring disorders such as anxiety, depression, trauma, etc.
- Support and instruction around social skills and transition to adulthood
Medication Management
- Psychiatric diagnostic evaluations
- On-going medication management services
Speech-Language Pathology
- Speech and language evaluations using evidence-based and best-practice tools
- Integrated reports and treatment recommendations
- On-going speech and language services
Who we are
Michal Assaf, MD
Director of Research, Mary W. Parker Autism Center
Dr. Assaf earned her M.D. at Tel Aviv University in 2000 and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Yale University. She then joined the Olin Neuropsychiatry Research Center at the Institute of Living (IOL) in 2004 and established the Autism and Functional Mapping (AM-FM) lab. Since 2022, Dr. Assaf serves as the Research Director for the Mary W. Parker Autism Center at the IOL.
Dr. Assaf’s research is focused on understanding the neural organization underlying the social and emotional cognitive process in psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia. By applying advanced neuroimaging analysis methods, such as dynamic functional connectivity and machine learning, she explores the heterogeneity in behavioral phenotypes and their underlying neural mechanisms, with the aim of implementing and optimizing interventions based on neural target engagement. Dr. Assaf’s research has been funded by several National Institutes of Mental Health and private foundation grants.
Amelia Donahoe M.S., CCC-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist, Mary W. Parker Autism Center
Ms. Donahoe received her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Marywood University in 2017. She completed her Clinical Fellowship in a public school setting in Bridgeport, CT. Upon receiving her Certificate of Clinical Competence, Ms. Donahoe moved to Maine, where she worked in both the public school setting and in private practice as an independent contractor. Ms. Donahoe has worked extensively with autistic individuals in both the public and private sectors, evaluating and treating receptive, expressive, and pragmatic (social) language disorders. She has experience working with non-speaking individuals who communicate with Augmentative-Alternative Communication (AAC) and believes in using a total communication approach to language therapy. In November 2020, Ms. Donahoe was granted an Award for Continuing Education by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) for her commitment to learning and continues to study neurodiversity-affirming practices.
Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Mary W. Parker Autism Center
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics, University of Connecticut School of Medicine
Dr. Lovejit Kaur is a board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrist who graduated from the combined child/adolescent and adult psychiatry residency program from the University at Buffalo, NY. She served as a chief resident of the ambulatory program during her residency training. She further trained as a fellow in consultation Liaison psychiatry at Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City, where she worked with patients having complex medical and psychiatric problems. Dr. Kaur is fluent in English, Punjabi, Hindi and enjoys working with patients from many backgrounds.
At Mary W. Parker autism center, Dr Kaur provides assessment and treatment of mental health disorders associated with Autism spectrum disorder, and specializes in psychopharmacological management. She has a background of working with patients on the Autism spectrum at various levels of care, including inpatient, emergency room, and medical floors. Dr Kaur also provides clinical care at Grace Webb Therapeutic School.
Medical Director, Mary W. Parker Autism Center
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics, University of Connecticut School of Medicine
Dr. Sahl completed his MD at Vanderbilt University and subsequently completed pediatric training at Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati, OH, as well as general psychiatry residency and child/adolescent psychiatry fellowships at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Dr. Sahl has over 30 years of experience in child and adolescent psychiatry, with much of this work focused on the assessment and treatment of children, adolescents, and adults with a range of neurodevelopmental disorders, including ASD and intellectual disability. At the Mary W. Parker Autism Center, Dr. Sahl provides psychiatric evaluation and medication management services for patients as well as contributing to our training mission through work with psychiatry residents and fellows.
Clinical Psychologist, Mary W. Parker Autism Center
Dr. Dorsett earned her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Fuller Graduate School of Psychology, completing her APA-accredited pre-doctoral internship in the child/family track with Baylor College of Medicine in the Menninger Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, and her post-doctoral fellowship with UMass Medical School’s Child Trauma Training Center (CTTC) and their partners. With specialty areas in neurodevelopmental disorders and trauma/complex trauma, she has been providing diagnostic assessment and treatment to children, adolescents, young adults, and their families for over 10 years.
Just prior to joining the Mary W. Parker Autism Center team at the IOL, Dr. Dorsett worked overseas in the United Kingdom, providing diagnostic assessment and treatment on a US military base as a DoD contractor. She has extensive experience working in both the public and private sectors, teaching at the graduate level, providing training for other professionals (including pediatricians, law enforcement, assistant district attorneys, and mental health clinicians), and serving as an expert witness in court proceedings.
At the Mary W. Parker Autism Center, Dr. Dorsett provides culturally-sensitive and neurodiversity-affirming comprehensive diagnostic evaluations to patients throughout the lifespan (ages 2-90), in addition to providing training and psychoeducation.
Ashley C. Smith, LCSW
Behavioral Health Clinician, Mary W. Parker Autism Center
Ashley is the Behavioral Health Clinician at Mary W. Parker’s Autism Center at the Institute of Living. Ashley is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 10 years of experience in the field. Ashley earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology (BA) from Eastern Connecticut State University in 2013 and earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW) from the University of Connecticut in 2017. Her practicum experiences consisted of providing individual therapy, facilitating IOP and DBT groups for adults struggling with substance use and/or on probation, and in a school setting, working with adolescents to address barriers impacting their abilities to access their education. Ashley took the Association of Social Work Boards in 2022, earning her LCSW. Ashley has worked with many populations in various settings such as healthcare, outpatient, residential, schools, and social service agencies.
At Mary W. Parker Autism Center, Ashley provides individual, group, and family therapy to treat mental health conditions in conjunction with ASD. Ashley utilizes a holistic approach, along with additional approaches based on the needs of the individual, groups, or families, such as strength-based, solution-focused, and task-centered. She utilizes the following interventions in her work: Psychoeducation, CBT, TF-CBT, DBT, MI, and Psychoanalytic. Ashley specializes in the following areas: Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, DV, Anger Management, and crisis work. Overall, Ashley has had experience with individuals on the Autism spectrum in various settings: schools, residential, and outpatient. Ashley continues to educate herself on the neurodivergent population and is focused on creating a safe environment, providing quality care, and for each unique, individual to feel accepted for who they are as they receive services here.
Katie Brewer
Patient Service Coordinator, Mary W. Parker Autism Center
Katie joined the Mary W. Parker Autism Center in October of 2024 as our Patient Service Coordinator. She has been with the IOL since May of 2022 and previously worked as a PSC in Older Adult Services. Katie earned her Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice from Southern New Hampshire University in 2021 and is currently working towards her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work at Charter Oak State College.
Research
The Mary W. Parker Autism Center’s Research Program works in conjunction with the Institute of Living’s Olin Neuropsychiatry Research Center, the Anxiety Disorders Center, and the Clinical Trials Unit to conduct studies that aim to improve our understanding of ASD and related conditions. Our main goals are to develop and improve personalized treatment options for individuals with ASD across the lifespan based on robust neuroscientific research evidence.
See below for studies currently recruiting participants and to read about how you can help!
Social Cognitive Processing in Adults with ASD
This study is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIMH) and aims to improve understanding of social cognitive processes in adults with autism. You may be eligible to participate in this study if:
- You are on the autism spectrum (including previous diagnoses of Asperger’s or PDD-NOS)
- You are fluent in English
- You are between the ages of 18-35
Participants complete interviews, cognitive tasks, and questionnaires, as well as 7 MRI brain scans. Participants also receive a type of non-invasive brain stimulation called TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation). Total participation is around 5 visits, each ranging from 3-6 hours long. Participants are eligible for up to $660 in compensation.
To learn more and see if you may be eligible, click the button below:
Research Participant Screening Form
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Additional Resources
The following websites provide high-quality information and resources focused on supporting autistic individuals and their families:
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) – Basic Information about ASD, including screening and diagnosis, and treatment information, fact sheets, and research related to ASD.
Autism Services & Resources Connecticut (ASRC) – Facilitates advocacy, training, and family support throughout the state of Connecticut. ASRC offers a professional resource guide, regular events, and in-person and virtual support group meetings.
Autistic Self-Advocacy Network (ASAN) – Organization working to advance disability rights with regard to autism, including policy and legal advocacy related to research priorities, community engagement, and other domains in keeping with their motto: “Nothing About Us, Without Us.”
Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) – Federal advisory committee aiming to exchange information and facilitate coordination of federal and public agencies and organizations conducting work related to ASD.
Language Use of Autistic Individuals: