In December, The New England Center for Children (NECC) welcomed Framingham State University Professor Mirari Elcoro, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LABA, to share her research with NECC staff. More than 50 NECC staff attended Dr. Elcoro’s presentation, where she focused on the work of Murray Sidman, PhD, a pioneer in behavior analysis whose legacy continues to shape our understanding of learning and memory.
Dr. Sidman, a renowned contributor to the field of behavior analysis, joined NECC as a senior research associate in 1987 where he established an on-site research lab to focus on his research on stimulus equivalence. His work advanced foundational knowledge in behavior analysis and memory studies, influencing countless researchers and practitioners.
During her presentation, Dr. Elcoro explored the intersection of behavior analysis and neuroscience, highlighting Dr. Sidman’s groundbreaking research with Patient H.M. Dr. Elcoro’s presentation demonstrated how behavior analysis contributes to modern neuroscience, advances autism research and education, and strengthens NECC’s ability to have a meaningful impact on the lives of children with autism worldwide.
A highlight of the session was when attendees participated in a mirror tracing activity—a hands-on exercise designed to illustrate the process of learning new motor skills. Participants first traced a pattern as quickly as possible. Then, with a mirror placed behind the pattern, they traced it again, using only the reflection to guide their movements. This activity demonstrated how repeated practice improves accuracy in challenging tasks, providing insight into how learning and memory processes are studied and understood.
This was not Dr. Elcoro’s first experience with NECC; she has collaborated with NECC graduate students on meaningful projects, such as translating behavior analytic works into Spanish. She has also mentored Framingham State University (FSU) students who have joined NECC as interns and staff, strengthening the bond between academic leadership and NECC’s mission to support children with autism.