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BCI Announces “Halloween Full of Pieces” Autism Friendly Event October 28th

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BCI Announces “Halloween Full of Pieces” Autism Friendly Event October 28th

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LEICESTER AND WORCESTER, MA… Behavioral Concepts (BCI), a company of behavioral clinicians specializing in the care of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) throughout Central Massachusetts, is proud to sponsor the second annual “Halloween Full of Pieces” autism-friendly Halloween party which will be held on October 28, 2018 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Knights of Columbus, 91 Manville Street, Leicester, MA. This event is open to the public. 

Hosted by the Knights of Columbus Council 4528, this special event is a sensory-friendly and safe trick or treating experience for children with ASD. BCI’s Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapists will assist in the event alongside the Knights and staff volunteers. 

The event will feature a haunted house, sensory-friendly activities, face painting and more. 

There is no cost to attend “Halloween Full of Pieces” party and children may wear costumes if they wish.  

“From all the scary decorations, lights and sounds to sensory issues with costume clothing fabric and accessories, Halloween can be an especially tricky time for children and families with autism,” explained Sally Burke, a Licensed Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) at BCI.  

Below, Burke offers five tips to help families with autism celebrate Halloween: 

  1. If you think your child would like to (and can tolerate) wearing a costume, have him/her practice wearing it for short intervalswhile playing in the days/weeks prior to Halloween. 
  1. A visual social story or a book that discusses the topic of Halloween and what to expect prior to the event can be extremely helpful. Review it often in the days leading up to Halloween.
  1. Practice trick or treating with a family member or neighbor you know well. Whetheryou and your child gets to one house or quite a few on Halloween, be sure to praise them for a job well done. 
  1. Plan your trick or treating route. Consider skipping homes with lots of lights, sounds and scary decorations.
  1. Remember, staying home and passing out treats may be just as much fun for your child as going out, so don’t rule outthe option. 

About BCI 

Behavioral Concepts (BCI) provides Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services to children with autism and their families in central Massachusetts. We identify and facilitate effective personalized instruction that allows children to discover more, learn more, and be more – increasing their independence and enhancing their quality of life at home, in school, and in the community. BCI is a Massachusetts Department of Public Health approved provider of specialty ABA services for early intervention. BCI also provides center, home-based, and afterschool services through private and public health insurance. The organization was founded in 2002 by Dr. Jeffrey R. Robinson. Further information on BCI is available at http://bciaba.com.  

BCI is part of the LEARN Behavioral family of companies, a national organization dedicated to helping all children succeed in school and life. Learn more at http://learnitsystems.com.

Family Fun Day at Great Wolf Lodge a Great Success – Autism Friendly Event

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FITCHBURG AND WORCESTER, MA… More than 200 Central Massachusetts families made tracks to Great Wolf Lodge New England in Fitchburg for HMEA’s Autism Resource Central’s Family Fun Day held on Sunday, September 23, 2018.

The autism-friendly event, which was exclusively sponsored by Behavioral Concepts (BCI), a company of behavioral clinicians specializing in the care of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) throughout Central Massachusetts, presented an afternoon of fun at the Great Wolf Lodge indoor waterpark followed by a pizza party.

In addition to sponsorship, BCI was on-site hosting a number of Sensory Fun Activities, such as water beads, Play Doh, kinetic sand, and other activity stations, throughout the afternoon.

The popular event was sold out within a day.

“We’re pleased to have an opportunity to partner with our friends at Autism Resource Central and provide a day of fun in a supportive environment to families and children with ASD,” said Jeff Robinson, Ph. D., BCI’s President and CEO.

About Autism Resource Central

Located in Worcester, MA, HMEA’s Autism Resource Central of Central Massachusetts is a non-profit organization that serves as an information and referral service for children and families affected by disorders within the Autism Spectrum; Autism, PDD NOS and Asperger’s. Autism Resource Central supports the needs of more than 3,000 families in Central Massachusetts. For more information, visit autismresourcecentral.org.

About BCI

Behavioral Concepts (BCI) provides Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services to children with autism and their families in central Massachusetts. We identify and facilitate effective personalized instruction that allows children to discover more, learn more, and be more – increasing their independence and enhancing their quality of life at home, in school, and in the community. BCI is a Massachusetts Department of Public Health approved provider of specialty ABA services for early intervention. BCI also provides center, home-based, and afterschool services through private and public health insurance. The organization was founded in 2002 by Dr. Jeffrey R. Robinson. Further information on BCI is available at http://bciaba.com.

BCI is part of the LEARN Behavioral family of companies, a national organization dedicated to helping all children succeed in school and life. Learn more at http://learnitsystems.com.

 

Behavioral Concepts Partners with Assumption College to Offer Master’s Degree Program to their Workforce

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WORCESTER, MA… Behavioral Concepts (BCI), a company of behavioral clinicians specializing in the care of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) throughout Central Massachusetts, has recently partnered with Assumption College in Worcester to provide a graduate education opportunity to their workforce.  

 Through the partnership with Assumption College, BCI’s staff members can now work towards their master’s degree and Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA®) certification without having to travel very far. They receive classroom instruction at Assumption’s campus at 500 Salisbury Street, Worcester, while completing required field work at BCI, located at 345A Greenwood Street or at the Center for Applied Behavioral Instruction (CABI), a school for children with autism located in the adjacent building. 

 The BCBA® is master-level certification in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis and is issued by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board®. The Assumption College program enables BCI’s employees to conveniently continue their graduate education and training towards this credential while working in Worcester. 

 As part of the program with Assumption College, BCI underwrites 60 percent of the tuition cost. Students/staff who take part in the program commit to working for BCI for two years after receiving their BCBA®.  

 In 2016, BCI forged a similar and very successful partnership with Bay Path University. Their second cohort of 14 graduated this June. BCI is dedicated to providing a supportive culture and opportunities for professional development. In 2017, BCI was a finalist for the Worcester Telegram and Gazette’s Best Places to Work. 

 “We’re striving to meet fast-growing demand for assessment, behavioral and consultative services for children with ASD and their families throughout Central Massachusetts,” said Jeff Robinson, Ph.D., BCI Founder and CEO. “Our partnership with Assumption supports our staff’s development and enables us to better address the critical need for ABA clinicians in this area. By providing graduate opportunities, we can continue to bring certified clinical practitioners into the field to better meet the needs of the community.” 

 The first BCI/Assumption cohort of four students began this August. 

 For more information about Assumption College, visit https://www.assumption.edu 

For more information about BCI and becoming a BCBA, visit https://bciaba.com/careers. 

 About BCI 

Behavioral Concepts (BCI) provides Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services to children with autism and their families in central Massachusetts. We identify and facilitate effective personalized instruction that allows children to discover more, learn more, and be more – increasing their independence and enhancing their quality of life at home, in school, and in the community. BCI is a Massachusetts Department of Public Health approved provider of specialty ABA services for early intervention. BCI also provides center, home-based, and afterschool services through private and public health insurance. The organization was founded in 2002 by Dr. Jeffrey R. Robinson. Further information on BCI is available at https://bciaba.com.  

BCI is part of the LEARN Behavioral family of companies, a national organization dedicated to helping all children succeed in school and life. Learn more at http://learnitsystems.com

The Importance of Swim Safety for Children with Autism

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As the summer heat settles in, many families head to pools, beaches become crowded and our time spent near the water becomes part of our routines. What seems like a standard summer activity for most, can be challenging for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families.  Sadly, drowning after elopement is the leading cause in death in children and adults on the Autism Spectrum.  In fact, according to the National Autism Association (June 2016), the risk of death by drowning is twice as high for children with ASD than in the general population.  

Given the impairment in cognitive functioning and language that is associated with ASD, several experts have hypothesized that children with Autism tend not to see water as a danger. Rather, their impulsivity and therapeutic love for the sensations of the water can take over.  However, a study published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, provides an initial indication that children with ASD can develop skills to avoid drowning.  

What does that mean for us as parents and providers? It means exposure, precautionary measures, strategies and discussion. 

Here are a few tips and suggestions to consider: 

  1. Exposure: The earlier the better.  Sign up for local swim lessons which are offered at most recreational centers in surrounding areas.  Some specialize in adaptive programs geared towards children with special needs which can provide an individualized approach to learning to swim while building confidence and safety near the water. 
  2. Precautionary measures: If you own a pool or live near water, ensure the use of locks, gates and other barriers around these areas.  After using any small kiddie pools, large tubs, or water play areas, take a few minutes to empty these when done.  
  3. Strategies: Provide rules to your loved one with ASD.  Practice and review these rules prior to going near water and throughout a visit or trip to a pool or ocean. Present these rules and other strategies in a way that can easily be understood and reviewed often.  This can be done through the development of Social Stories™ outlining the expectations of what it means to be safe near water.  Provide replacement behaviors such as how to enter water and/or when it is safe to be in the water. Teach children to identify and respond to common safety signs related to water. Model appropriate behavior when swimming or near water.  
  4. Discussion:  Communicate with neighbors that own pools about your child, the local police department and your community.  As a parent, you are the best advocate for your child, especially your child’s safety.  Some police departments provide a safety plan or alert form which would allow for your child’s likes, fears and behaviors to be documented.  

With a few extra proactive steps and clear directives, a successful trip involving swimming isn’t out of question. Go enjoy the beach, plan to visit the local pool, but don’t forget the power of being prepared and communicating with your local support systems! 

Jessica Stott is Program Director at Behavioral Concepts (BCI). BCI has two locations, Worcester and Fitchburg, and provides Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services to children with autism and their families in central Massachusetts. BCI identifies and facilitates effective personalized instruction that allows children to discover more, learn more, and be more – increasing their independence and enhancing their quality of life at home, in school, and in the community. For more information, visit https://bciaba.com. 

 

Sources: 

 Gray, C. (2018) What is a Social Story? Retrieved from https://carolgraysocialstories.com/social-stories/what-is-it/ 

 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2016, April 28.) Unintentional Drowning: Get the facts. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/water-safety/waterinjuries-factsheet.html 

 Alaniz, M.L., Rosenberg, S.S., Beard, N.R. et al. (2017). The Effectiveness of Aquatic Group Therapy for Improving Water Safety and Social Interactions in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Pilot Program. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 47(12) 4006-4017. doi.org/10.1007/s10803-017-3264-4 

 

BCI Directors Speak at ABAI Conference in San Diego

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FITCHBURG, UPTON AND WORCESTER, MA… Two Directors at Behavioral Concepts (BCI), a company of behavioral clinicians specializing in the care of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) throughout Central Massachusetts, will speak at the Association for Behavior Analysis International’s (ABAI) 44th Annual Convention which will be held at the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego and Marriott Marquis San Diego & Marina in San Diego, California, May 24–28, 2018.

Jill McGrale Maher, M.A., BCBA, LABA, Program Director at BCI’s Fitchburg location, will lead the workshop “Teaching Staff to Teach Social Skills Groups for Learners with Autism Spectrum Disorder” on Thursday, May 24, 2018.

Maher will also speak on the topic of “Teaching Staff to Effectively Teach Groups of Learners with Autism Spectrum Disorder” (assisted by BCI’s Katelyn Moisan) and on the topic “Making Significant Staff and Client Behavior Change Using Basic Strategies” (assisted by BCI’s Katelyn Moisan) on Saturday, May 26, 2018.

Maher, who is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Licensed Applied Behavior Analyst (LABA), has more than 35 years combined experience in special education and applied behavior analysis, leading programs for children with autism spectrum disorders. She has presented papers at numerous conferences and invited talks across the country and has several publications.

Maher joined BCI in 2017. She holds a master’s degree in human development and completed coursework towards her Ph.D. in developmental and child psychology from the University of Kansas. Maher is a state certified special education teacher as well as an adjunct professor at Endicott College and has previously taught at Worcester State University. She is a member of ABAI, the Berkshire Association of Behavior Analysis and Therapy (BABAT), and the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA).

Candice Colón-KwedorCandice Colón-Kwedor, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LABA, Director of Professional Development and Research at BCI’s Worcester location, will speak on the topic of “Response Interruption and Redirection Treatment Integrity Considerations” on Saturday, May 26, 2018.

Dr. Colón-Kwedor specializes in the assessment and treatment of severe challenging behavior in children and adolescents and has 13 years of experience providing consultative services and clinical services in the private school and residential setting. She joined BCI in 2017. Dr. Colón-Kwedor serves as adjunct faculty at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and previously held a similar position at Endicott College. More recently, she was elected to serve on the Board for the Berkshire Association of Behavior Analysis and Therapy (BABAT). Dr. Colón-Kwedor received her doctoral degree from Western New England University and obtained a Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis from Northeastern University. She is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA-D) and Licensed Applied Behavior Analyst (LABA) in the state of Massachusetts.

She is a member of ABAI, BABAT, and the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA). Dr. Colón-Kwedor’s research has been published in the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis. She is also a contributing author to a BCBA supervision reference manual and has served as a guest reviewer for The Analysis of Verbal Behavior and Behavioral Interventions.

To learn more about the ABAI conference, visit https://www.abainternational.org/events/annual-2018.aspx.

For more information about BCI, visit https://bciaba.com/.

About BCI

Behavioral Concepts (BCI) provides Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services to children with autism and their families in central Massachusetts. We identify and facilitate effective personalized instruction that allows children to discover more, learn more, and be more – increasing their independence and enhancing their quality of life at home, in school, and in the community. BCI is a Massachusetts Department of Public Health approved provider of specialty ABA services for early intervention. BCI also provides center, home-based, and afterschool services through private and public health insurance. The organization was founded in 2002 by Dr. Jeffrey R. Robinson. Further information on BCI is available at https://bciaba.com.

BCI is part of the Learn It family of companies, a national organization dedicated to helping all children succeed in school and life. Learn more at http://learnitsystems.com/family

Autism Awareness Staff Story #8

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#celebrateeverymilestone

Working with children diagnosed with ASD has given me some of the best rewards. As an ABA therapist, I get the chance to share in moments that some families don’t know if they will ever see. I get to celebrate milestones every day with my clients and could go on about all the progress I have seen in my 3 1/2 years with BCI.

A moment in my career that shaped me was when I began working in Early Intervention. My first case was a client who was non-verbal. As a team, we worked on helping with sign and vocalizing what we were signing as we assisted them. I was able to celebrate with the client and their family every day when a new word was signed and eventually when they were speaking to request. When I began working with this client I would model how to sign a word, then provide them with the prompt to do the sign themselves. Within two weeks of sessions the signs were independent and about a month later we were getting spoken words. As I had to make the shift and transition off the client when they aged out of Early Intervention Services, they were talking in simple sentences. The process of getting a child to speak for the first time is something I will carry with me in my career. It is not about getting a child with ASD to where we think they should be but rather them showing us where they need to be in that moment and helping them learn from where they are to get them to goals we set out to achieve.

The work that we do in Applied Behavior Analysis gives families a framework to help their child succeed in their abilities. Celebrating clients is something I get to do every day. On a daily basis, I see clients hit milestones, something that I believe not many people can say.

Autism Awareness Staff Story #7

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#celebrateeverymilestone 

My son Doug was diagnosed at the age of 3.  As a parent, you just know when something’s isn’t right with your baby, no matter what family members, doctors, and friends may say. I wasn’t always an ABA therapist.  I did a study in human services at Becker College and I have always loved working and helping others. To me, there is no other higher calling than working with families directly. You’re not just there to get paid; you must show an interest in the family.

Since I have an autistic son myself, I can relate to their frustrations and their struggles. I don’t go in and tell them [about Doug] right away. I want them to like my work. It’s about me working with the child, not about my life and my child. Still, I often form a special bond with the parents of the children I have the pleasure to work with through offering advice, resources or encouragement, and sometimes just a sympathetic ear. I think it’s safe to say that I walk the walk our families walk.

The toughest thing, for many families, is that they struggle to stop treating their autistic child like a baby. It’s not just a process with the child, it’s a process with the whole family. Not every [ABA program] works cold turkey. Be realistic, but you can raise the bar.

A lot of my families, friends, and co-workers ask me “Don’t you ever get burned out, dealing with your students and then going home and having to “live” autism as well”? In all honesty, It’s the most rewarding thing in the world! I won’t lie and say I don’t struggle myself as a parent, because I do. I continue to be proactive, be the best advocate/parent I can possibly be, as well as seek my BCI team’s support, for my son and his needs.

On April 11th, I am happy & proud to celebrate that I have been an ABA therapist for BCI for 7 years! It’s such a joy to see from small to huge progress. The first sign of communication, the first word, the first time a student of mine hands me a picture, oh the list goes on.

My advice to other parents of autistic children: Remember to work together as a team with your child’s therapist. Work with therapists toward a goal, and work toward it consistently and wholeheartedly. Keep moving forward, even if it’s baby steps, and celebrate BIG with every little goal your child makes as I do with my own boy. 💙

~Becky Schoenfeldt

Autism Awareness Staff Story #6

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#lessonsfromourclients

Almost 12 years ago in California, as a freshman in college, I got a summer job as a transitional assistant in a classroom in a private school. The School specialized in working with children who had challenging behaviors and couldn’t attend mainstream public schools. When I took my first steps into that classroom, I can honestly say I didn’t know what I was getting myself into. Looking back, I realize now it’s one of those serendipitous moments, laying the foundation for every methodical decision that came after. At the time, I certainly didn’t know that every student I met from that moment forward would teach and challenge me, helping me discover the type of clinician I wanted to become. The families I have had the privilege to work with have inspired me to not only pursue a master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis but also a master’s in Mental Health and Counseling so that I can find ways to support the family and integrate strategies in a variety of ways.

I couldn’t imagine, being the home-body that I have always been, that my passion for the field would push me to move across the country. Massachusetts was far away from my family and friends, but I had heard that services for families and individuals with Autism there were the best in the country. But most importantly, what I didn’t know before stepping into that classroom, was the impact of all the people I would meet within the field, as well as all the people I would have the humbling experience to work for – those on the autism spectrum and their families.

I continue to learn lessons from those that I work with, and for, every day. I’ve continued to learn these lessons with every job that I have had the privilege of holding since that first day. I’ve had some of the most inspiring co-workers, who have turned into life-long friends. But my biggest lessons learned have always been from my clients. They’ve taught me how important it is to measure progress in ways that are meaningful to the family and to them. How crucial it is to laugh and maintain a sense of humor even after the longest of days. To never forget our favorite things, whether it be Harry Potter, Thomas the Tank Engine, a great yellow truck, a good Disney character, a squeeze or everyone’s favorite iPad. They remind me, in and out of work, to celebrate the resiliency that each of them and their loved ones bring every day.