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 evaluations for diagnostic purposes
- 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
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.
Mary Lynn Dell, MD, MTS, ThM, DMin, MHA
Medical Director
Chair of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Connecticut
Professor of Psychiatry at the Frank H. Netter School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University
Dr. Dell graduated from Milligan University in Johnson City, Tennessee, and the Indiana University School of Medicine, where she completed general psychiatry residency. She also completed a child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as a research fellowship at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Dr. Dell has been active and led several professional committees and groups in the American Psychiatric Association, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and the Academy of Consultation Liaison Psychiatry.
Dr. Dell’s clinical and academic interests include autism, chronic and life-limiting medical illnesses in children, adolescents, and transitional age individuals; bioethics; medical and theological education; and religion, spirituality and medicine/psychiatry.
Amelia Donahoe M.S., CCC-SLP
Certified Speech Language Pathologist
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.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Clinical Supervisor
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 a decade.
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 trainings for other professionals (including nurses, 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, in addition to serving as the clinical supervisor and providing consultation, supervision, training, and psychoeducation across the IOL/HHC.
Katie Brewer
Patient Service Coordinator
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:
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.”
Language Use of Autistic Individuals: