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Your child has been diagnosed with autism. What happens next? By Eilianie M. Alvelo

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Your child is on the autism spectrum. The diagnosis is life altering for parents, siblings, grandparents, and everyone else in your child’s immediate life.

You are not alone. Autism is common, and in one way or another, we all know of someone who has been diagnosed with ASD. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that one in 59 children have ASD and it is four times more prevalent in boys than girls.

Still, as prevalent as it may be, it can be difficult to know where to start or what you can do to help your child when you first get the diagnosis. Here’s a guide to the first steps.

Read more at: https://www.baystateparent.com/news/20200402/your-child-has-been-diagnosed-with-autism-what-happens-next

Behavioral Concepts celebra su primer aniversario iniciando un nuevo programa de habilidades sociales para niños autistas

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SPRINGFIELD — Mientras uno de los múltiples salones del centro de aprendizaje de la conducta Behavioral Concepts (BCI), ofrecía comida criolla, familias con hijos autistas se presentaron durante todo el día para celebrar el primer aniversario del centro en la ciudad.

BCI, una compañía con sede en Worcester, es un centro con clínicos especialistas en el cuidado de niños con trastorno del espectro autista (ASD, por sus siglas en inglés) ahora brinda un nuevo programa los sábados durante el día.

Bianca Sims, directora regional de BCI en el Greater Springfield dijo que el nuevo programa brinda habilidades sociales para beneficio de los clientes que durante la semana están todo el día en la escuela.

Read More: https://www.masslive.com/elpueblolatino/2020/02/behavioral-concepts-celebra-su-primer-aniversario-iniciando-un-nuevo-programa-de-habilidades-sociales-para-ninos-autistas.html

Erica Kusz Appointed to Behavioral Concept’s Leadership Team in Worcester

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Erica Kusz

HOLDEN — Erica Kusz of Holden has been appointed to Behavioral Concepts’ leadership team in Worcester as assistant clinical director.

BCI, a company of behavioral clinicians specializing in the care of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Massachusetts, is meeting the need for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) providers in the Worcester area by providing specialty Early Intervention ABA services for children age 3 and younger, as well as center and home-based insurance-funded ABA services for children over age 3.

In her new role, Kusz is one of three assistant clinical directors who oversee BCI’s Center and home-based insurance services and the team of behavior analysts in the Worcester region. Kusz will also be responsible for restructuring the curriculum and supervising BCI’s four program coordinators. She reports to Jessica Stott, regional director of Greater Worcester.

Read More: https://www.thelandmark.com/news/20191229/kusz-appointed-to-behavioral-concepts-leadership-team

Autism and the Holidays: Handling the Big Family Dinner

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The holiday countdown has begun. Invitations have been extended and preparations are in full swing.

For many families, it’s custom to gather together for a special holiday meal. For children with autism, a holiday meal — from sitting at a table to the texture and taste of various foods — can be quite overwhelming. How can you help your child prepare?

Here are some guidelines to help children and families with ASD prepare for that special meal:

What’s on the agenda? Before you do anything else, determine what the day will hold. If you are not hosting the holiday meal, inquire with your host as to what is on the menu and whether it will be a sit-down or buffet-style meal. Then, set up a visual schedule for your child. This is appropriate for both younger and older children, and is used to preview the events of the day so that your child will know what is going to occur. The visual schedule can have pictures, text, or both. Pictures are generally used with both younger and older children. However, if your child is older, able to read, and doesn’t require a picture to inform them about the day, he or she may feel more comfortable with a schedule with only words as they may find the pictures unnecessary. Consider using photos you already have to create a visual schedule, or you may be able to find food and related images on the Internet.

A social narrative would also be appropriate. A social narrative includes pictures and text that tells a story about the day. The story can be read to your child, or your child can listen and follow along or read the story aloud with you, in a preview of the upcoming events. What’s the environment going to be? Who is going to be there? About one-to-two weeks in advance, start reviewing your visual schedule or social narrative with your child each day, including on the day of the event.

Read more in the December Edition of Bay State Parent: https://www.baystateparent.com/news/20191206/autism-and-holidays-handling-big-family-dinner

Behavioral Concepts Promotes Courtney Sherlock to Assistant Director of Specialty Early Intervention Services for the South Coast Region

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WORCESTER, MA AND NORTH PROVIDENCE, RI … Behavioral Concepts (BCI), a company of behavioral clinicians specializing in the care of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Massachusetts, has recently promoted Courtney Sherlock, M.S., BCBA, LABA to Assistant Director of Specialty Early Intervention Services for the South Coast Region.

BCI is meeting the need for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) providers in the South Coast area by providing specialty Early Intervention ABA services for children ages three and under in the greater Fall River and New Bedford area.

In her new role, Sherlock will conduct Early Intervention intakes and assessments for client families with an autism diagnosis. She will also oversee case assignment of the region’s Behavior Analysts.

Sherlock, a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and a Licensed Applied Behavior Analyst (LABA) in the state of Massachusetts, provided specialty Early Intervention ABA services to children and families at BCI for five years before her promotion to Assistant Director. Her experience prior to BCI includes serving as a Lead Behavior Technician at Marlborough Public Schools in Marlborough, MA and as Direct Care Staff at the May Institute in Brockton, MA.

Sherlock holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Bridgewater State University and a Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Northeastern University in Boston.

Each year, she volunteers for the 5K Run and Walk for Autism Acceptance at HMEA’s Autism Resource Central.

Sherlock is a resident of North Providence, RI.          

Early Intervention Services

BCI’s Early Intervention services are designed to assist infants and toddlers (birth to age three) in making significant strides in their development, and are evidence-based, tailored to their needs, and usually provided in the home or day care center. BCI is a partner agency that receives Early Intervention referrals from the Department of Public Health for children under age three with a diagnosis Autism Spectrum Disorder. BCI accepts most major insurance plans operating throughout Massachusetts as well as Mass Health.

 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

Behavioral Concepts Announces Center-Based Day Services for the Fall in Fitchburg

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FITCHBURG AND WORCESTER, MA… Behavioral Concepts (BCI), a company of behavioral clinicians specializing in the care of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Massachusetts, announces Center-based Day services for the fall at their Fitchburg location. Enrollment is now open and session options have been expanded.

BCI’s Fitchburg ABA Center, located at 207 Authority Drive, provides intensive one-to-one Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and is designed to give children with ASD more intensive learning opportunities beyond the services he or she receives in the home, at school, or in the community.

 

Expanded Session Times

The Fitchburg Center’s Intensive Day Program for children three- to six-years-old, is a structured program that gives young children one-to-one support in a group setting. Session times have been expanded and are as follows: 8:15-11:15 a.m.; 11:15 a.m.-2:15 p.m.; 12:00-3:00 p.m.; or 8:15 a.m.-2:15 p.m.

BCI provides evidence-based interventions and unique approaches help children with ASD learn how to modify challenging behaviors, improve communication and social skills, and further their learning. Board-Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) assess each child, work with the family to set goals, and create a plan based on the child’s unique interests and abilities. Each child’s progress is evaluated and the plan refined as needed.

“The Center-based settings are clinical, yet warm and encouraging environments ideal for children who will be, or have already transitioned to school,” Katelyn Moisan, M.A., Special Education, BCBA, LABA, Regional Director of Greater Fitchburg. “Essentially, children are taught the skills they need to navigate relationships and be more independent.”

To learn more about BCI Fitchburg Center-based Day services and enroll, visit https://bciaba.com/how-we-can-help/aba-centers/intensive-day/ or call 978-696-5115.

 

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.

Behavioral Concepts Appoints Jessica Friedrich to Northeast Team

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BEVERLY, LOWELL, TEWKSBURY AND WORCESTER, MA… Behavioral Concepts (BCI), a company of behavioral clinicians specializing in the care of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Massachusetts, has appointed Jessica Friedrich, a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) to their Northeast team.

In her new role as Behavior Analyst, Friedrich will work under the direction of Tiffany Bellina, M.S., BCBA, LABA, BCI’s Director of Northeast Programs and provide specialty Early Intervention Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services to children and families in the Northeast area. These targeted services are designed to assist infants and toddlers (birth to age three) in making significant strides in their development and are evidence-based, tailored to their needs, and usually provided in the home.

BCI offers Early Intervention services through their temporary office at 1501 Main Street, Units 29-30, in Tewksbury, MA.

Friedrich has worked in the field of ABA for more than six years. Before joining BCI, Friedrich was employed at Applied Behavioral Learning Services in Wellesley, MA as a BCBA for a year before she was promoted to Regional Director/BCBA. Her experience also includes working as Behavioral Consultant at Creative Behavioral Solutions in Chelmsford, MA and as an Instructor at the May Institute in West Springfield, MA.

Friedrich graduated magna cum laude from Westfield State University in Westfield, MA with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She holds a Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Westfield State University and is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).

She is a resident of Beverly, MA.

Specialty Early Intervention Services

BCI is a partner agency that receives Early Intervention referrals from the Department of Public Health for children under age three with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. BCI accepts most major insurance plans operating throughout Massachusetts as well as Mass Health. To learn more about BCI’s services, 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 Behavioral family of companies, a national organization dedicated to helping all children succeed in school and life. Learn more at http://learnitsystems.com.

Tee Up for Autism Golf Tournament on August 23rd to Support HMEA’s Autism Resource Central

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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) in Massachusetts, invites the community to the Tee Up for Autism Golf Tournament in support of HMEA’s Autism Resource Central of Worcester, MA.

Tee Up for Autism Golf Tournament will be held on Friday, August 23, 2019, at Cyprian Keyes Golf Club, 284 East Temple Street, Boylston, MA 01505. Registration is at 8:00 a.m. and shotgun start at 9:00 a.m. Golf registration is $130 per golfer.

Funds raised will support the Center as well as help raise money for a variety of needs such as sensory assessments, support group, IEP clinics, specialized overnight camp and more.

HMEA’s Autism Resource Central is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide autism support and services for children, adults and their families in central Massachusetts. The center serves more than 3,600 families.

BCI, which is headquartered in Worcester with satellite offices in Springfield, Fitchburg, and Tewksbury, is proud to be the Lunch Sponsor for this fundraising event. Additionally, a number of BCI team members will participate in the tournament.

“For more than 16 years, BCI has proudly worked alongside Autism Resource Central, serving children and families throughout Central Massachusetts and providing services that increase their independence and enhance their quality of life at home, in school, and in the community,” said Jeff Robinson, Ph. D., BCI’s founder and CEO.

 

For more information about Tee Up for Autism Golf Tournament or to register, visit https://www.autismresourcecentral.org/fundraising/golf/ or call Wanja at 508-298-1607.

 

For more information about Autism Resource Central, visit https://www.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 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.