Assumption Partners with HMEA to Help Fill Void in Autism Therapy Services
Autism is on the rise, both nationally and locally; 1 in 68 children are diagnosed and it is estimated that more than 3,000 families in Central Massachusetts have a family member with Autism. The rising numbers, coupled with a shortage of resources, is creating a long wait for families in need of behavior therapy services. Assumption is helping to fill that void by partnering with and supporting the initiatives of a leading nonprofit human services agency that supports 3,800 children and adults with developmental disabilities in Massachusetts and Rhode Island
HMEA (Horace Mann Education Associates), held its 2nd Annual Central Massachusetts Autism Summit at Assumption on Tuesday, September 22, featuring keynote speaker Kristine Biagiotti, president of Disability Employee Resource Group at EMC Corporation. The summit focused on understanding the impact of Autism on the regional workforce and addressed the impact Autism can have on employees, and provided ways in which employers could support their employees to maintain productivity and a manageable working culture. The summit included remarks by Assumption College President Francesco C. Cesareo, Ph.D., and Assumption students who are involved with HMEA’s Students for Higher program.
In fall 2014, Assumption was named the “Lead College” for HMEA’s Students for Higher: Rising Up for Autism program, which offers employment and internship opportunities to students interested in the field. The purpose of the program is to introduce students to the rising need for behavior therapy services and to mobilize them to work on behalf of children who have been diagnosed with Autism and their families in Central Massachusetts. The goal is to significantly reduce the number of families that are waiting for behavior therapy services for their children. There are currently 18 Assumption students working as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapists for 30 families and 140 family members, and whom have provided more than 3,600 service hours.
“Developing a partnership with HMEA is mission congruent: it offers our students a skill-building, experiential learning opportunity that has the potential to lead to a meaningful career serving a societal need,” said President Cesareo. “Assumption possesses the necessary infrastructure and commitment—to both academics and service—to step up and contribute to a solution in regards to the shortage of behavior therapy resources. We believe it is both an opportunity and obligation to help those with Autism and their families.”
The Assumption curriculum enables students to gain a depth and breadth of knowledge that leads to professional success and personal fulfillment. Assumption’s strong psychology, education, and unique Human Services and Rehabilitation (HSRS) programs are the cornerstone of the College’s mission to help those with developmental disabilities. The HSRS program provides a strong foundation for work in a variety of health, disability and human service-related fields such as organizations providing services to children, adolescents, adults and older adults. A distinctive aspect of the curriculum is its unique full-time, semester-long internship program and the opportunity to work towards a master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling during senior year. Coming soon, the College will provide graduate and undergraduate education for students to pursue a Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis which can lead to Board Certified Behavior Analysts.