The New England Center for Children (NECC) reflects on an extraordinary year of accomplishments and plans to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2025. This year has been marked by groundbreaking achievements, expanded global reach, and an unwavering commitment to transforming the lives of children with autism.
2024 Highlights: A Year of Excellence
- Grand Opening of NECC Clinic in Abu Dhabi: March 2024 saw the opening of a new clinic in Abu Dhabi, expanding access to life-changing autism services in the region. NECC has been helping children with autism in the Middle East since 1997. In addition to the Abu Dhabi clinic, NECC operates a clinic in Dubai Healthcare City and a consulting practice throughout the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
- Historic Graduation of Simmons UAE Cohort: The first-ever cohort of NECC’s international staff enrolled in the Simmons University program graduated with their master’s degrees. This educational partnership, which was established in 1992, underscores NECC’s global reach and dedication to professional development. To date, more than 1,800 staff have earned their degrees from NECC’s on-site graduate degree programs.
- NASET School of Excellence: NECC was honored as a 2024-2025 National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET) School of Excellence, a testament to NECC’s unwavering dedication to quality education.
- Nafis Award for NECC’s school in the UAE: The Mohammed bin Rashid Center for Special Education operated by NECC (MRC-NECC) in Abu Dhabi received the prestigious Nafis Award, recognizing exceptional growth in employment opportunities for Emirati citizens.
- Leadership Recognition: President and CEO Jessica Sassi, PhD, BCBA-D, LABA, was appointed to the Massachusetts Commission on Autism, highlighting NECC’s influence on state-level autism policy and advocacy.
- Record-Breaking fundraising events: The 18th annual NECC 5K event achieved unprecedented success in both attendance and fundraising, while the Children of Promise Gala raised $1.27 million in November.
- Largest Summer Internship Program: NECC hosted its largest-ever group of summer interns, fostering the next generation of educators and professionals in the autism field. Sixty interns from 36 colleges and universities nationwide received hands-on learning and training through NECC’s award-winning programs.
- Technology Improvements: This past year, the ACE® ABA Software System introduced significant updates that improved user experience for educators and behavior analysts. The ACE, which published its first lesson in 2003, now serves more than 13,000 learners across 11 countries.
Looking Ahead: Celebrating NECC’s Golden Anniversary
In 2025, NECC marks 50 years of transforming the lives of children with autism. Over the past five decades, NECC has evolved from a small local program into a global leader in autism education and research. Through innovative programs, pioneering research, and a commitment to excellence, NECC has trained thousands of educators and behavior analysts and provided education to tens of thousands of children with autism worldwide.
“The achievements of 2024 reflect our commitment to advancing the field of autism education and ensuring the best possible outcomes for our students,” said Dr. Sassi, President and CEO of NECC. “As we look to 2025, we are excited to celebrate our 50th anniversary and continue building a legacy of impact, innovation, and hope for the future.”
NECC’s 50th anniversary will be marked by a series of special events, campaigns, and celebrations designed to honor our past and inspire our future, culminating with the Children of Promise Gala on November 14, 2025. We invite the community to join us as we commemorate this historic milestone and continue working together to make a difference.
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