Joe D'Eramo

Sarah Bird, Ashley Jordan and Prajakta Kadam join Behavioral Concepts, Inc. (BCI) as ABA therapists

August 31, 2016 by Joe D'Eramo

photo of ABA therapist Sarah Bird — Sarah Bird

Behavioral Concepts, Inc. (BCI), a company of behavioral clinicians specializing in the care of children with autism in Central Massachusetts, recently hired Sarah Bird, Ashley Jordan and Prajakta Kadam as ABA Therapists.

An ABA therapist is a person who uses applied behavior analysis as a form of treatment. Applied Behavior Analysis is the process of studying behavior in order to put into place appropriate behavioral interventions.

Sarah Bird holds an Associate’s degree in human services from Bay Path University and previously worked for the Center for Hope Foundation. She resides in Spencer, Massachusetts.

Ashley Jordan will receive her Bachelor of Arts degree in educational arts from Bay Path University in December 2016 and has more than a year experience working with children with autism. She is a Worcester resident.

Prajakta Kadam holds a Master’s of Science degree in clinical child psychology and recently completed her post-graduate ABA certification and is working towards her board certified behavior analyst certification. She resides in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts.

photo of ABA Therapist Prajatka Kadam — Prajatka Kadam

“Any time you can put a Jordan and a Bird on the same team, it’s a good thing. In this case, we are happy to have Sarah (Bird) and Ashley (Jordan), as well as Prajakta, working with us to create a nurturing, learning environment for our students,” said BCI Founder and Director Dr. Jeff Robinson.

Based in Worcester, Mass. BCI provides much needed services to children with autism and their families. BCI instructional programs are delivered using discrete trial training, task analysis, and systematic prompting procedures implemented by ABA therapists who have successfully completed pre-service training, on-site, and quarterly evaluations by their clinical supervisors.

Instruction is provided across a variety of domains, included by not limited to: Activities of daily living, functional and augmentative communication, functional academics and community outings and safety awareness. Social skills groups with peer models are also offered as part of BCI’s services. A heavy emphasis is placed on generalization and maintenance of skills, in addition to family training, so that families may implement the supports and carry-over skills in the home.

For questions about programs offered by BCI, please visit www.bciaba.org or call 508-363-0200.

About Behavioral Concepts, Inc. (BCI)

Founded in 2002, BCI provides educational, behavioral, consultative and assessment services to children with autism and their families. These services are based on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and are tailored to meet the unique needs of our clients. It’s BCI’s goal to maximize individual potential, increase independence and enhance our clients’ quality of life within their home, school and community.

BCI provides center- and home-based services through health insurance and is an approved provider of Specialty ABA Services for Early Intervention in Central Massachusetts. BCI’s main care center, located at 345A Greenwood Street in Worcester, Massachusetts, offers intensive treatment for young children aged 3 to 6 years of age, an after-school program for all school aged children and a weekend social skills program. BCI also provides in-home services within a one-hour radius of Worcester.

BCI’s Corporate Offices are located in Mansfield, Mass. For complete information, visit https://bciaba.com or to arrange a consultation with a BCI clinician, please call (508) 363-0200.

Abbey Nelson and Courteney Churchill join Behavioral Concepts, Inc. (BCI) as ABA therapists

July 27, 2016 by Joe D'Eramo

Behavioral Concepts, Inc. (BCI), a company of behavioral clinicians specializing in the care of children with autism in Central Massachusetts, recently hired Abbey Nelson and Courteney Churchill as ABA Therapists.

Abbey Nelson earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology, with a minor in psychology, from Assumption College. She resides in Worcester.

Courteney Churchill is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and is a Worcester resident.

“One in 68 births results in a autism spectrum disorder diagnosis. That’s up from one in 88 in 2008. That means more and more children will need the services we provide in the years to come,” said BCI Founder and Director Dr. Jeff Robinson. “We are grateful to Abbey and Courteney for joining our effort to create a nurturing, learning environment for our students.”

For questions about programs offered by BCI, please visit www.bciaba.org or call 508-363-0200.

About Behavioral Concepts, Inc. (BCI)

BCI’s Corporate Offices are located in Mansfield, Mass. For complete information, visit https://bciaba.com or to arrange a consultation with a BCI clinician, please call (508) 363-0200.

BCI and Hockomock Area YMCA ink agreement to benefit children with autism spectrum disorders.

July 11, 2016 by Joe D'Eramo

(WORCESTER, MA) As a private company of behavioral clinicians specializing in the care of children with autism, Behavioral Concepts, Inc. (BCI) often provides its services in the homes of clients. Thanks to a new arrangement with the Hockomock Area YMCA, families now have the option to secure services for their children at any of the Hockomock Area Y’s four locations (Foxboro, Franklin, Mansfield and North Attleboro).

“The Hockomock Area YMCA is truly special. They created the Integration Initiative, a program which embraces, welcomes, and supports persons with disabilities in many of the programs offered by the Y. They discovered that many of their members with autism were unable to access the programs without specialized support. BCI provides the specialized skills training and support to assist clients with autism in participating with their peers in community settings including the Hockomock YMCA. Our staff is able to teach social, communication, and group participation skills in a setting using typical peer models,” said BCI Founder and Director Dr. Jeff Robinson.

“The Hockomock Area YMCA adopted a policy of inclusion many years ago and we have tailored our activities so all children can participate,” said Karen Friedman, Senior Director of the Integration Initiative at the Hockomock YMCA. “We are excited that many more members with autism will be able to more fully participate in Y activities thanks to our partnership with BCI.”

For most families, insurance covers the ABA and specialty services provided by BCI. BCI currently has no wait list in this new geographic area; staff will review insurance coverage for ABA Services with families during the intake process. Programming in this area also includes home services and parent training. Social skills groups and afterschool programming are also in development, and will be held in the Hockomock Area Y locations. BCI programs are tailored to address the clinical needs of each individual client.

Hockomock Area YMCA locations are as follows: North Attleboro Branch, 300 Elmwood Street, North Attleboro; Bernon Family Branch, 45 Forge Hill Road, Franklin, MA; Invensys Foxboro Branch, 67 Mechanic Street, Foxboro; and Mansfield Arts & Education Center, 40 Balcom Street, Mansfield, MA.

Based in Worcester, Mass. BCI provides much needed services to children with autism and their families. BCI instructional programs are delivered using discrete trial training, task analysis, and systematic prompting procedures implemented by ABA therapists who have successfully completed pre-service training and ongoing training and evaluations by their clinical supervisors.

Instruction is provided across a variety of domains, included but not limited to: Activities of daily living, functional and augmentative communication, functional academics, community outings and safety awareness. A heavy emphasis is placed on generalization and maintenance of skills, in addition to family training, so that families may implement the supports and carry-over skills in the home.

For questions about programs offered by BCI, please visit www.bciaba.org or call 508-363-0200. For information about Hockomock YMCA programs, visit www.hockymca.org.

About Behavioral Concepts, Inc. (BCI)

Founded in 2002, BCI provides educational, behavioral, consultative, and assessment services to children with autism and their families. These services are based on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and are tailored to meet the unique needs of our clients. It’s BCI’s goal to maximize individual potential, increase independence and enhance our clients’ quality of life within their home, school and community.

BCI provides center and home-based services through health insurance and is an approved provider of Specialty ABA Services for Early Intervention in Central Massachusetts. BCI’s main care center, located at 345A Greenwood Street in Worcester, Massachusetts, offers intensive treatment for young children aged 3 to 6 years of age, an after-school program for all school aged children and a weekend social skills program. BCI also provides in-home services within a one-hour radius of Worcester.

BCI’s Corporate Offices are located in Mansfield, Mass. For complete information, visit https://bciaba.com or to arrange a consultation with a BCI clinician, please call (508) 363-0200.

About the Hockomock Area YMCA:

Where Cause Meets Community. At the Hockomock Area YMCA, strengthening community is our cause. The Hockomock Area YMCA is an organization of men, women, and children sharing a commitment to nurture the potential of kids, promote healthy living, and foster a sense of social responsibility.

The Hockomock Area YMCA is committed to partnering and collaborating with others to create and deliver lasting personal and social change in the 15 communities they are privileged to serve. The Hockomock Area YMCA is a not-for-profit charitable cause-driven organization with facilities in North Attleboro, Foxboro, Franklin, and Mansfield. For more information visit hockymca.org.

Back to school at work. Behavioral Concepts, Inc. (BCI) partners with Bay Path University on workplace Master’s Degree program

June 20, 2016 by Joe D'Eramo

photo of Brittany Freitas — Brittany Freitas

“I would love to get my Master’s but just haven’t got the time.” That’s a common lament of many people in the work force. Behavioral Concepts, Inc. (BCI), a company of behavioral clinicians specializing in the care of children with autism in Central Massachusetts, recently partnered with Bay Path University where BCI staff members can earn their Master’s degree and board certified behavior analyst (BCBA®) certification without leaving the office.

“As a company that works with children with autism spectrum disorders, we are often able to only provide the services that are covered by the family’s insurance. Most insurance carriers require case managers with a BCBA® certification. So, it’s in the best interest of the families we work with as well as our company that we have as many staff members with the BCBA® certification as possible,” said BCI Founder and Executive Director Dr. Jeff Robinson. “We are grateful to Bay Path University for working with us to put this program together.

BCBA-D and BCBA® are the highest levels of certification in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis and are issued by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board®. To be eligible for the BCBA® certification, a Master’s degree (or a PhD) is required as well as 1,500 hours of supervised experience in the field. The program enables BCI staff members to get their classroom instruction from Bay Path University teachers at BCI’s 345A Greenwood Street, Worcester location. In addition, students will do their required field work at BCI or the Center Applied Behavioral Instruction (CABI). CABI, a school for children with autism, is also located at 345 Greenwood.

“There are many ways this partnership is beneficial for all parties. It benefits the students for convenience and applicability to their everyday jobs. They can study and work toward their credential right at work, with their employer supporting a significant portion of the cost of their tuition. For BCI, it leads directly to more certified clinical coordinators and practitioners. For the university, it allows us to teach and work directly with student on site, better connecting the classroom and professional experiences for students,” said Dr. Susan Ansleigh, Bay Path University’s Director of Graduate Program in Applied Behavior Analysis.

As part of the program with Bay Path University, BCI picks up 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®.

Fourteen BCI employees began the Bay Path University program last October. Rick and Brittany Freitas are brother and sister who both work at BCI and are enrolled in the BCBA program with Bay Path University.

“I knew I wanted to get my BCBA®. The how was the difficult part,” said Brittany Freitas, who has worked at BCI since January, 2015. “I’m grateful to have an employer like BCI who has made it possible for me, my brother and our co-workers to earn this extremely important certification.”

BCI staff members from the first class are slated to graduate with a Master’s degree in spring 2017 and will be able to sit for the BCBA® examination later that year.

Clinical coordinators interested in work opportunities at BCI can send a cover letter and resume to info@bciaba.org or by snail mail to: Behavioral Concepts, Inc., 345A Greenwood Street, Worcester, MA 01607, ATTN: Dr. Jeffrey Robinson.

For more information on Bay Path University, please visit http://www.baypath.edu/.

About Behavioral Concepts, Inc. (BCI)

Founded in 2002, BCI provides Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Occupational and Speech Therapy to children with autism and their families. These services are tailored to meet the unique needs of our clients. It’s BCI’s goal to maximize individual potential, increase independence and enhance our clients’ quality of life within their home, school and community.

BCI’s Corporate Offices are located in Mansfield, Mass. For complete information, visit https://bciaba.com or to arrange a consultation with a BCI clinician, please call (508) 363-0200.

Katie Meehan, Zachary Campbell and Kim Ercolini join Behavioral Concepts, Inc. (BCI) as ABA therapists

June 9, 2016 by Joe D'Eramo

Kimberllee Ercolini — Kimberlee Ercolini

Behavioral Concepts, Inc. (BCI), a company of behavioral clinicians specializing in the care of children with autism in Central Massachusetts, recently hired Katie Meehan, Zachary Campbell, Kim Ercolini as ABA Therapists.

Katie Meehan earned a Bachelor of Science degree Fitchburg State University. She is also a resident of Fitchburg, Massachusetts.

Zachary Campbell will receive his associate’s degree from Quinsigamond Community College in 2016. He lives in Southbridge, Massachusetts.

Kim Ercolini will be a 2016 graduatee of Worcester State University. Originally from Rockland, Massachusetts, she currently lives in Worcester.

“It takes a special individual to enter this line of work. It takes somebody who not only has the training but somebody who is also committed to personal growth. Representing the next generation of ABA therapists, Katie, Zachary and Kim have demonstrated those qualities and we look forward to watching them grow as professionals during their time at BCI,” BCI Founder and Director Dr. Jeff Robinson.

For questions about programs offered by BCI, please visit www.bciaba.org or call 508-363-0200.

About Behavioral Concepts, Inc. (BCI)

BCI’s Corporate Offices are located in Mansfield, Mass. For complete information, visit https://bciaba.com or to arrange a consultation with a BCI clinician, please call (508) 363-0200.

BCI’s Anthony Palacios receives Autism Resource Center Central’s Guiding Star honor

May 27, 2016 by Joe D'Eramo

photo of Anthony Palacios — Anthony Palacios

The Autism Resource Center of Central Massachusetts recently recognized Anthony Palacios, an ABA therapist at Behavioral Concepts, Inc., with its Guiding Star Award at its annual gala at the Wachusett Country Club on May 18. He was one of 19 teachers/educators/therapists honored by the Center for their work with children with autism spectrum disorders.

The Autism Resource Center of Central Massachusetts serves as an information and referral service for children and families affected by disorders within the Autism Spectrum; Autism, PDD NOS and Asperger’s. It’s annual Guiding Star awards recognizes the work of school teachers, educators and therapists. Award-winners are nominated by the families of students. Palacios was nominated by Kristen Saad for his work with her son Trevor.

“The Autism Resource Center Central provides a number of wonderful services and children with autism and their families. The Guiding Star Award is one of the nicer resources offered by the Center as it gives families a more formal way to thank teachers and ABA therapists like Tony for the wonderful work they do,” said Dr. Jeff Robinson, founder and director of Behavioral Concepts, Inc. “Tony has been with us for almost twelve years and this award could not go to a more deserving person.”

Palacios began with Behavioral Concepts, Inc. in 2004. Yet his interest in working in this field began by caring for his brother, a special needs child. After serving in the Army—including a seven-month tour of Afghanistan—he took a job as a camp counselor where he found himself taking care of several children with autism spectrum disorder.

“Taking care of my brother and being in the military gave me a nice foundation to be an ABA therapist,” said Palacios. “By taking care of my brother, I learned the patience needed in working with kids who face learning challenges. The military taught me the value and discipline you learn with routine. Children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder also value routine. Routines provide stability and help them grow.”

As for the Guiding Star Award, Palacios adds, “I’m grateful for the award and to the Saad’s for nominating me. Trevor is a great kid. I do owe a debt of gratitude to my co-workers at BCI and BCI itself. It is very much a collaborative effort there and we are able to provide the level of service that we do because we work as a team and support each other. BCI also provides training on a very consistent basis that enables us to continually improve.”

Palacios resides in Worcester with his wife Colleen. In addition to his work with BCI, he attends Fitchburg State University. His goal is to one day earn and board certified behavior analyst (BCBA®) certification.

The Autism Resource Center of Central Massachusetts is a non-profit located at 71 Sterling Street in West Boylston, Massachusetts (508-835-4278). You can find more information at www. www.autismresourcecentral.org. For more information on Behavioral Concepts, Inc., visit www.bciaba.com.

About Behavioral Concepts, Inc. (BCI)

BCI’s Corporate Offices are located in Mansfield, Mass. For complete information, visit https://bciaba.com or to arrange a consultation with a BCI clinician, please call (508) 363-0200.