Empowering Individuals & Families: Meet MaryAnn Byrne, Your Guide to Autism Spectrum Disorder Support

Discover how MaryAnn Byrne, LPC, leads our Autism Spectrum Disorder Program at Resilience Counseling, providing essential support for individuals and families navigating autism.

Introduction to MaryAnn Byrne, LPC and Her Role

MaryAnn Byrne serves as the Autism Spectrum Disorder Program Coordinator at Resilience Counseling, where she leads efforts to provide essential support for families affected by autism. With over 20 years of experience in counseling children and adolescents, MaryAnn has established herself as a trusted resource for families navigating the complexities of autism. The Autism Spectrum Disorder program is vital in fostering a deeper understanding of autism and delivering the necessary resources to empower children and their families.

The program is committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment that helps children, adults, parents and families thrive. MaryAnn's role is crucial in bridging the gap between mental health services and specific interventions tailored to autism, ensuring that individuals and families receive comprehensive support that addresses their unique needs.

Qualifications of MaryAnn Byrne, LPC

MaryAnn Byrne holds a Master's degree in Counseling from Virginia Tech and an undergraduate degree in Special Education from Radford University, which equips her with a solid foundation in both counseling and special education. Her career includes 16 years as a special education teacher, during which she focused on children with autism and intellectual disabilities, providing her with invaluable practical experience. Additionally, she is a Certified Olweus Bully Prevention Consultant, reflecting her dedication to creating safe and nurturing environments for children.

MaryAnn has undergone extensive training in autism intervention techniques, ensuring she remains informed about the latest best practices in the field. Her ongoing professional development efforts have solidified her role as an advocate for children with autism, and she actively seeks opportunities to enhance her skills and knowledge.

Services Offered at Resilience Counseling & Social Skills Center

MaryAnn will be focusing on expanding our practices ability to offer supportive counseling a testing services tailored to Individuals with ASD and related disorders as well as supports for parents and families. Currently our practice is investing in the training and certification for more clinicians to be trained in ASD specific testing so we can expand our capacity to offer this services to more individuals in need.

Specialized Autism Testing includes the following:

Behavioral Health Intake Assessment: At the first appointment a basic psychosocial evaluation is completed to gather information about your concerns and determine if testing is appropriate.

Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS): The “Gold Standard” assessment: This is an individual assessment completed one on one with the individual as young as age 18 months all the way to adults. It takes 45 minutes to one hour for the administration plus a written report.

Autism Diagnostic Inventory-Revised (ADIR): This assessment is conducted with the parent(s). It reviews developmental concerns over the life span beginning at age two and runs through age twenty-two. The interview takes an hour-and-a-half to two hours or more. Additional time is utilized for the clinician to provide a written report.

Gilliam Autism Rating Scale: This is a scale filled out by parents and teachers and scored during the initial intake. It assists with the level identification of the Autism and is included in the final report. The results are delivered at a parent meeting once all assessments have been completed. At this time a copy of the report is provided along with referrals and recommendations for treatment.

Final Written Report: Once the process is complete, and you have had a chance to look over the results of testing and provide your feedback, the clinician will finalize the written report.

MaryAnn will also be tasked with expanding these services to all four of our locations in Stafford, Fredericksburg, Glen Allen and Midlothian.

MaryAnn will also be developing social skills group programming for a variety of age groups as well as supportive Groups for Parents and Families. We will eventually offer these group programs at all of our locations to meet the needs of each community we are located in.

Conclusion: The Impact of MaryAnn Byrne's Work

The work of MaryAnn Byrne and her Autism Spectrum Disorder Program is vital in providing support to Individuals and Families affected by autism, with numerous success stories and testimonials highlighting the positive impact of her efforts. Families seeking resources and support through the program can easily access services, emphasizing the program's commitment to accessibility and availability.

As the program continues to focus on improving the quality of life for individuals with autism and their families, future goals and initiatives remain centered on expanding services and outreach efforts. The importance of community support and advocacy cannot be overstated, as it plays a crucial role in creating a more inclusive society for individuals with autism and their families.

Ready to learn more? Check out Resilience Podcast Episode 15: MaryAnn Byrne, LPC