On July 11, staff members from The New England Center for Children (NECC) enrolled in the Simmons University Applied Autism Research graduate program presented their research proposals during a poster session at NECC’s campus in Southborough. The students were joined by their professors: Jessica Seaver, PhD, BCBA-D, LABA, program director for Public School Services (PSS) at NECC and Simmons University adjunct professor, and Jonathan Seaver, PhD, BCBA-D, LABA, director of special projects for PSS and Simmons adjunct professor.
The winning group with Drs. Jess and Jonathan Seaver.
The nine poster presentations covered a number of topics, including data collection, learner profile assessment, and using matrix training and social stories to teach children with autism important skills. First place was awarded to Amber Kemmerer (IIP teacher), Kalyn Smith (level 2 teacher), and Max Torres (IIP teacher) for their joint project, Towards a Learner Profile Assessment: Comparing Response Prompt Procedures. In second place was Shay Falkins (level 2 teacher) and Victoria Weisser, MS, BCBA, LABA, (infant research coordinator) for their collaborative presentation, Using an Instructional Matrix to Teach Language Skills.
“I am so proud of the work these students presented,” shared Chris Evans, MEd, professor of practice and graduate program director for Simmons University. “Their research projects will provide important insight for future interventions that will impact student success in the NECC program. I would like to recognize Dr. Jess Seaver and Dr. Jon Seaver for providing valuable feedback and mentorship to their students.”
Victoria Weisser and Shay Falkins.
The winners of the poster session were selected by a panel of nine judges, which comprised current NECC staff and staff alumni, including Jescah Apamo Gannon, PhD, BCBA-D, LABA, graduate program chair of the Severe Disabilities program at Fitchburg State University; Diana Parry-Cruwys, PhD, BCBA-D, LABA, assistant professor and co-director of the Autism Center at Regis College; and Allen Karsina, MS, PhD, assistant professor at Regis College.
In their comments, the judges acknowledged the presenters for being “well versed and able to answer questions fluently”; “very engaged and excited to share their findings … and had some great ideas for further research”; and for having “some great suggestions and insights” on their specific topics.
One of NECC’s core values is to train and develop the next generation of autism educators and researchers. For 30 years, NECC and Simmons have collaborated to offer graduate training to NECC employees. All courses are taught on-site at NECC in Southborough and provide staff practical training and experience, enabling them to have a wide variety of job offers in both public schools and private agencies upon completion of the program. Since 1992, more than 1,200 NECC staff have completed the master’s degree program. For more information, visit the program page.