Why 2013 represents a year of advances for children with autism and ASDs

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.