WORCESTER, MA…

Behavioral Concepts, Inc. (BCI), a company of behavioral clinicians specializing in the care of children with autism in Central Massachusetts, recently announced a partnership relationship with Fitchburg State University as it pertains to the company’s internship program. As part of the agreement, BCI and the University will partner to help recruit Fitchburg State undergraduates for its fall and spring internship programs.

“There’s been a very strong connection with BCI and Fitchburg State over the years. We were involved in the development of the BCBA course track and two of our staff, Dr. Brian Doyle, the director of our BASICS program, and Erik Lerdal are adjunct faculty as well,” said Dr. Jeff Robinson, BCI founder and director of BCI. “With the demand for board certified behavior analysts at an all-time high, our internship program is a great way to show undergrads a career path in a growing field.”

BCI interns typically are college students with aspirations of being a clinical coordinator or therapists. BCI interns have most often been psychology, education, special education and criminal justice, though all majors are welcome to apply. Students must receive course credit to participate in BCI’s internship program.

In addition to Fitchburg State University, BCI has similar relationships with Worcester State University and Quinsigamond Community College. In addition to a one-semester internship, BCI offers a year-long fellowship program for Worcester State University students.

“We’re in the business of teaching very important skills to children with autism. Yet the learning is certainly not limited to our students. I think as instructors and clinicians, we learn every bit as much from our students as they do from us,” said BCI Founder and Director Dr. Jeffrey Robinson. “For a college student who wants to be in that kind of environment, I can promise you will get quite a bit more out of this experience than course credits.”

College students interested in applying for an internship at BCI during the fall semester of 2014 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.

College and universities interested in internship opportunities for their undergraduates should also contact Dr. Robinson at info@bciaba.org or by calling 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 the unique needs of the individuals BCI works with. It’s BCI’s goal to maximize student potential, increase independence and enhance our clients’ quality of life within their home, school and community.

BCI’s main care center is located at 345A Greenwood Street, in Worcester, Massachusetts. BCI operates its BASICS services at 100 Hartwell Street in West Boylston, Mass. The BASICS program is a sub-contract arrangement between Behavioral Concepts, Inc. and the Central Massachusetts Special Education Collaborative. BASICS provides services to children aged 7-22 with autism and maladaptive behaviors. BCI’s Corporate Offices are located in Mansfield, Mass.

For complete information, visit http://bciaba.org or to arrange a consultation with a BCI clinician, please call (508) 363-0200.

WORCESTER, MA…

While this time of year is known for Top (fill in the blank) lists, perhaps none are quite as meaningful as the 10 Big Autism Stories for 2013 published by Autism Speaks, an international autism science and advocacy organization.

This year’s inspirational Top 10 featured amazing stories, including Susan Boyle revealing her ASD diagnosis  and the New Jersey high school football player with autism who won an unprecedented fifth year of eligibility and became the first varsity football player in the U.S. with autism to play in a championship game (and contribute to that win). Yet to local experts like Dr. Jeff Robinson, founder of Behavioral Concepts, Inc., a company of behavioral clinicians specializing in the care of children with autism in Central Massachusetts, the list represents more than the noteworthy accomplishments of a select few.

“The Autism Speaks list demonstrates what people with ASDs are capable of, but it also represents the beginnings of a transformation of how our society sees children with ASDs,” said Robinson. “With one in 88 children being diagnosed with an ASD, that means there is a very strong likelihood that someone we know or are related to has an ASD. That, combined with the efforts of awareness groups like Autism Speaks and organizations like BCI, has created a level of acceptance that’s growing and will continue to grow in 2014.”

Based in Worcester, Mass, at its new location at 345A Greenwood Street in Worcester, and with offices in Mansfield and West Boylston, 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.

BCI accepts Harvard-Pilgrim, Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Behavioral Health, Tufts, Aetna and coverage from other major health care providers. 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 the unique needs of the individuals BCI works with. It’s BCI’s goal to maximize student potential, increase independence and enhance our clients’ quality of life within their home, school and community.

BCI’s main care center is located at 345A Greenwood Street, in Worcester, Massachusetts. BCI operates its BASICS services at 100 Hartwell Street in West Boylston, Mass. The BASICS program is a sub-contract arrangement between Behavioral Concepts, Inc. and the Central Massachusetts Special Education Collaborative. BASICS provides services to children aged 7-22 with autism and maladaptive behaviors. BCI’s Corporate Offices are located in Mansfield, Mass.

For complete information, visit http://bciaba.org or to arrange a consultation with a BCI clinician, please call (508) 363-0200.

WORCESTER, MA…

Behavioral Concepts, Inc. (BCI), a company of behavioral clinicians specializing in the care of children with autism in Central Massachusetts, recently completed the relocation of its Worcester care center to 345A Greenwood Street in Worcester, Massachusetts.

“They say there’s no place like home. But when you have outgrown your current home like we had at 170 Goddard Memorial Drive, then that mantra becomes there’s no place like a new home,” said BCI Founder Dr. Jeffrey Robinson. “We are delighted to be moved into our new space, which we know will better serve our current students and accommodate two very special projects BCI will undertake—the opening of a pre-school and a private day school.”

The day school, to be called the Center for Applied Behavioral Instruction (CABI), is tentatively scheduled to open in early 2014, pending approval from the Worcester School Committee.

The preschool, the Accelerated Learning Academy, will open in the fall of 2014. Students at the Accelerated Learning Academy will be taught using behavioral teaching methodology.

“These two schools will provide parents and families of children with autism spectrum disorders additional options for their education and care,” said Robinson.

Through its host of services and programs, BCI helps children with autism and autism spectrum disorders develop their learning skills and social skills. In addition, BCI works with families of children with autism and ASDs to alert them to services provided by the school system and by their health insurance.

As for the new location, a grand opening celebration is planned for later in 2013 or early 2014. BCI’s corporate offices are located in Mansfield, Massachusetts.

If you have 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 the unique needs of the individuals BCI works with. It’s BCI’s goal to maximize student potential, increase independence and enhance our clients’ quality of life within their home, school and community.

BCI’s main care center is located at 345 Greenwood Street, in Worcester, Massachusetts. BCI operates its BASICS services at 100 Hartwell Street in West Boylston, Mass. The BASICS program is a sub-contract arrangement between Behavioral Concepts, Inc. and the Central Massachusetts Special Education Collaborative. BASICS provides services to children aged 7-22 with autism and maladaptive behaviors. BCI’s Corporate Offices are located in Mansfield, Mass.

For complete information, visit http://bciaba.org or to arrange a consultation with a BCI clinician, please call (508) 363-0200.