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BCI of Central Massachusetts Addresses Inclusion in the Workforce

BCIBehavioral Concepts, Inc. (BCI), a company of behavioral clinicians specializing in the care of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) throughout Central Massachusetts, is striving to create greater awareness and inclusion of adults with autism in the workforce.

Trends in Hiring

A growing number of companies, including human services organizations as well as companies with science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) job openings, are recognizing the unique skills and attributes of individuals with ASD.

“Adults with ASD are extremely valuable employees,” explained Jeff Robinson, Ph. D., BCI’s founder and CEO. “Many possess unique skill sets that may include an elevated attention to detail, and the ability to perform specialized jobs and tasks consistently and accurately.”

Working to their strengths, BCI employs three individuals with ASD.

Dr. Robinson continued, “As behavioral clinicians specializing in the treatment of persons with ASD, we are a company that truly understands the unique challenges that occur during the interview (of an adult with ASD) and within the workplace. We provide a supportive environment to enable our employees to succeed. BCI is changing the hiring landscape on a local level in Central Massachusetts and is proud to hire individuals with ASD.”

The company recently hired Ryan Litchfield, speaker and autism advocate, as an Administrative Assistant. Litchfield is a resident of Rutland, MA.

Litchfield, who was diagnosed with autism at two years of age and believed to never be able to speak or function, recently graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Assumption College in Worcester, where he majored in Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies. Litchfield has also earned a Certificate in Aging Services through career and continuing education and is certified in Gerontology Studies.

Litchfield, an ASD advocate, strives to educate audiences and the general public on acceptance of people with disabilities and help them access resources associated to activities of daily living for those with ASD. For more than five years, Litchfield has been a speaker for ASD, sharing his personal experiences speaking at the Central Massachusetts Special Education Collaborative in Worcester and to schools in Wachusett Regional School District, as well as Light It Up Blue events for the Assumption Disability Awareness Promotion Team (ADAPT) in Worcester.

Previous to joining BCI, Litchfield was an administrative assistant at Central Massachusetts Agency on Aging in West Boylston, and also at the Worcester Institute for Senior Education at Assumption College. He served an intern at HMEA’s Autism Resource Central in West Boylston, MA.

“Ryan’s knowledge, positive attitude, and advocacy make him a wonderful addition to our team,” said Dr. Robinson.

Another staff member and speaker, Intake Coordinator Christian Tsetsos, recently celebrated his 10-year anniversary with BCI. Tsetsos oversees insurance authorizations and intakes and also maintains the client database among a number of other directed, highly detailed tasks. For the last seven years, Tsetsos has been a guest speaker on Asperger’s at the Asperger/Autism Network (AANE) Summer Institute for Educators as well as at other AANE conferences and panels. Tsetsos has also addressed educators at Dover-Sherborn Middle School and the Newton School District Faculty and Administrators. He is a 2014 graduate of Worcester State University and holds a Bachelor of Science in Urban Studies.

“Christian has assumed increasing responsibility during his employment with BCI. As our Intake Coordinator, Christian is the first voice that parents hear when they inquire about BCI services. He is our ever-important liaison with insurance companies. He welcomes visitors and new employees as part of his receptionist duties. Christian has truly become the BCI good-will ambassador,” said Dr. Robinson.

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 their clients. BCI’s goal is to maximize individual potential, increase independence and enhance 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 offers similar services at a second location at 207 Authority Drive in Fitchburg, MA. BCI also provides in-home services within a one-hour radius of Worcester.

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

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Behavioral Concepts, Inc. Appoints New Director at Worcester Location

Behavioral Concepts, Inc. (BCI), a company of behavioral clinicians specializing in the care of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) throughout Central Massachusetts, has appointed Candice Colón-Kwedor, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LABA, as Director of Professional Development and Research.

Dr. Colón-Kwedor specializes in the assessment and treatment of severe challenging behavior in children and adolescents and has more than a decade of experience providing consultative services and clinical services in the private school and residential setting.

In her new role as Director of Professional Development and Research at BCI, she will oversee the training curriculum for, and the professional development of behavior therapists and Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs). She will also oversee therapist level in-service trainings and internal BCBA level continuing education events, as well as BCI’s new research initiative.

In addition to serving as BCI’s Director, Dr. Colón-Kwedor serves as adjunct faculty at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Endicott College. For seven years previous to BCI, she served as Clinical Director and Senior Clinical Director at the May Institute’s May Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities in Randolph, MA. Her role involved the supervision of clinical directors, assistant clinical directors and behavior specialists as well as the oversight of school wide ABA clinical services for approximately 160 residential and day students.

Dr. Colón-Kwedor received a Doctoral degree in Behavior Analysis from Western New England University and a Master of Science degree 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 serves on the Board of the Berkshire Association of Behavior Analysis and Therapy (BABAT) as Member at Large. She is a member of the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI), the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA) and the Berkshire Association of Behavior Analysis and Therapy (BABAT). For the past six years, Dr. Colón-Kwedor has volunteered at the annual convention for 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.

She is a resident of Upton, MA.

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 their clients. BCI’s goal is to maximize individual potential, increase independence and enhance 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 offers similar services at a second location at 207 Authority Drive in Fitchburg, MA. BCI also provides in-home services within a one-hour radius of Worcester.

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

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BCI of Worcester Takes Strides for 5K Run & Walk for Autism Acceptance on April 29th

BCI’s Jocelyn Miller and Britney Catron at last year’s race.

Worcester, MA based Behavioral Concepts, Inc. (BCI), is stepping up and taking strides in the 5K Run & Walk for Autism Acceptance on Saturday, April 29 at DCR’s Lake Park.

April is National Autism Awareness Month, and BCI is supporting the 5K Run & Walk for Autism Acceptance, which benefits HMEA’s Autism Resource Central of West Boylston, MA, by participating in and sponsoring the event.

BCI’s 5K team of seven staff has been fundraising and gearing up to walk/run in this event. BCI staff will also host a “Kids Corner” of activities and entertainment for all children, which will include spin art Frisbees, face painting, a photo booth with a “make your own” frame, kinetic sand tables, and more.

BCI, a company of behavioral clinicians specializing in the care of children with autism in Central Massachusetts, is a major sponsor of the 5K Run & Walk for Autism Acceptance with their contribution of $7,500.

“The Autism Resource Central’s run/walk is BCI’s signature event during National Autism Awareness month,” said Jeff Robinson, Ph. D., BCI’s founder and CEO. “We believe that the services provided to families by Autism Resource Central are critical to strengthening, educating and supporting families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder.”

To learn more or make a donation, visit the 5K Run & Walk for Autism Acceptance fundraising page at: http://bit.ly/2oFdXW4

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 about Autism Resource Central, visit autismresourcecentral.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 their clients. BCI’s goal is to maximize individual potential, increase independence and enhance 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 offers similar services at a second location at 207 Authority Drive in Fitchburg, MA. BCI also provides in-home services within a one-hour radius of Worcester.

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

BCI of Worcester Takes Strides for 5K Run & Walk for Autism Acceptance on April 29thRead More