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The New England Center for Children: Applied Behavior Analysis for Treating All Levels of ASD Severity

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Comprehensive Models of Autism Spectrum Disorder Treatment

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Abstract

The New England Center for Children (NECC), founded by Vincent Strully in Massachusetts, has provided services to individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) for approximately 40 years. The NECC model is not a formal treatment model in and of itself; instead, applied behavior analysis (ABA) is used to serve a broad range of needs for individuals with ASD. Early intensive behavioral intervention (EIBI) services at NECC are delivered largely in a home-based setting, but center-based services have been used as indicated based on individual family need. The theoretical underpinnings of the approaches used at NECC, as well as the focus on an individual’s skill development across his or her life span, are described. NECC has two specific areas that are emphasized during treatment: (1) development of skills that are either absent or weak in any and all contexts and (2) reduction of problem behavior that interferes with effective learning and skill development. A review of the core skills assessment (CSA) as the initial assessment tool used to effectively select goals for implementation is provided. Further, the Autism Curriculum Encyclopedia® (ACE) is reviewed as the basis for implemented teaching procedures at NECC. Specific emphasis is placed on the reliance on research to inform practice, including evidence from early Lovaas studies regarding behavioral intervention effectiveness and current research detailing new or adapted ABA methods to better meet the needs of the children served by NECC.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. The New England Center for Children, Southborough, MA, USA

    William H. Ahearn Ph.D., BCBA-D

Authors
  1. William H. Ahearn Ph.D., BCBA-D
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Correspondence to William H. Ahearn Ph.D., BCBA-D .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Child Development, Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York, USA

    Raymond G. Romanczyk

  2. Autism Partnership, Seal Beach, California, USA

    John McEachin

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© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

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Ahearn, W.H. (2016). The New England Center for Children: Applied Behavior Analysis for Treating All Levels of ASD Severity. In: Romanczyk, R., McEachin, J. (eds) Comprehensive Models of Autism Spectrum Disorder Treatment . Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-40904-7_4

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