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My teenage daughter has Rett Syndrome and has always been served in a setting designed for individuals with autism. It has generally served her well, as she needs highly individualized care, and has responded well to ABA intervention. Over the years, her medical needs have grown more complex, and I am wondering about the best…
I am the Clinical Director of an agency serving adults with autism. In the last few years, we have had some medically complex situations and some clients who we struggled to serve. It may be that their needs are more complex because of their age, or it may be that we are missing/failing to assess…
I am the parent of a 29-year-old man who has a long history of aggression that has been controlled with heavy amounts of multiple medications. I am not sure if this is realistic, but do medications used for behavior ever get reduced? If so, how can that happen? Is there anything I should look for in a residential…
An Interview with Rita Gardner, MPH, LABA, BCBA President and CEO, Melmark As we have just completed Autism Awareness month, and we are at a milestone for Melmark (the 25th Anniversary of Melmark New England), we would love to pause and reflect on what ABA has done for autism intervention, what our current challenges are,…
Kate McKenna, MEd, MSEd, MS, BCBA Association for Science in Autism Treatment Established in 1965 by Paul and Mildred Krentel as a home for children with developmental disabilities, Melmark has long been known as the “house that love built.” Today, Melmark is an ever-growing organization with schools and facilities in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and North Carolina,…
Question: I am the parent of an adult with autism, who will soon transition from a school program to adulthood. I am reading about engagement as an indicator of good programming. What does it mean and how can I tell if a program promotes it? Answered by Karen Parenti, MS, PsyD, CEO/Executive Director Heather Rothman,…
Katherine O’Keefe, BA Association for Science in Autism Treatment For parents looking for a new resource for creating positive behavior change through contracting, look no further than Drs. Jill C. Dardig and William L. Heward’s new book, Let’s Make a Contract. Two respected professionals in the field of child and family development, Dardig and Heward…
Sarah Cummins, MA, BCBA Association for Science in Autism Treatment The journey to arriving at a housing solution can be a long one. It is vital for individuals with disabilities and their families to understand how the process works. The Supportive Housing Association of New Jersey (SHA), a statewide non-profit organization, has developed a comprehensive…
David Celiberti, PhD, BCBA-D, Eilis O’Connell, MA, BCBA, Preeti Chojar, MCA, and Smrithi Thyagarajan (Extern) Association for Science in Autism Treatment Each year as tens of thousands of children with autism turn 18, they and their families face an uncertain future due to changes in service delivery models, limited funding, and diminished services, supports, and…
I am a new teacher who will have a student with some self-injurious behavior entering my classroom next year. Although his behavioral intervention will be overseen by a board certified behavior analyst, I would like a general understanding of how certain behaviors develop into self-injury. Answered by Ennio Cipani, PhD Like yourself, many teachers will…
Interview conducted by Mary Jane Weiss, PhD, BCBA-D Association for Science in Autism Treatment I recently had the opportunity to speak with the Leadership Team at Melmark and ask them some questions about how Melmark delivers services, trains staff, and fulfills its mission. Questions for Rita Gardner, MPH, LABA, BCBA; President and Chief…