New England Center for Children

New England Center for Children. The New England Center for Children is a private, nonprofit autism education center and research institute located in Southborough, Massachusetts. Founded in 1975, it provides comprehensive services, including day and residential programs, for children with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities. The center is renowned for its application of applied behavior analysis and its significant contributions to research and professional training in the field.

History

The organization was established in 1975 by executive director Vincent Strully Jr., initially operating in a leased space at the Walter E. Fernald State School in Waltham, Massachusetts. With a founding philosophy rooted in the principles of applied behavior analysis, the center quickly grew, moving to its permanent campus in Southborough, Massachusetts in 1999. This expansion was supported by partnerships with entities like the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and through collaborations with researchers from institutions such as Northeastern University and the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Key milestones include the development of one of the first approved doctoral internship programs in the nation for applied behavior analysis and the establishment of the John and Diane Kim Autism Institute in 2011.

Programs and services

The center operates a range of intensive, year-round educational programs serving students from ages three through twenty-two. These include both day and residential services designed around the methodologies of applied behavior analysis. The curriculum encompasses academic instruction, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and vocational training, tailored to each student's individual needs as outlined in their Individualized Education Program. The center also provides extensive outreach and consulting services to public school districts throughout New England and maintains a partnership with the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority to support autism services in the United Arab Emirates.

Research and training

Research is a core component of the center's mission, conducted through its John and Diane Kim Autism Institute. Scientists and doctoral-level fellows engage in studies published in peer-reviewed journals such as the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis and present findings at major conferences including those of the Association for Behavior Analysis International. The center operates a pre-doctoral internship program accredited by the American Psychological Association and is a major training site for graduate students from universities like Western New England University and Simmons University. Its training department also provides professional development for its staff and educators worldwide, further disseminating evidence-based practices.

Campus and facilities

The main campus is situated on a 75-acre property in Southborough, Massachusetts, featuring over twenty buildings that include academic classrooms, residential cottages, and specialized therapy spaces. Facilities are designed to support the center's comprehensive model, containing amenities such as indoor swimming pools, gymnasiums, vocational training kitchens, and adaptive playgrounds. The campus also houses dedicated research laboratories and administrative offices for its international consulting divisions. This integrated environment allows for the seamless delivery of educational, therapeutic, and residential services.

Recognition and impact

The New England Center for Children has received significant recognition for its work, including awards from the Council of Administrators of Special Education and the U.S. Department of Education. It has been consistently ranked among the top providers of autism services by publications like Boston Magazine. The center's impact extends globally through its published research, international training programs, and its model being replicated in other regions. Its alumni have progressed to higher education, competitive employment, and more independent living, demonstrating the long-term efficacy of its intensive, behavior-analytic approach to autism education.

Category:Autism organizations Category:Special education schools in Massachusetts Category:Educational institutions established in 1975 Category:Organizations based in Worcester County, Massachusetts