Janice Elardo has been working as a rehabilitation counselor in The New England Center for Children’s (NECC) Intensive Treatment Team (ITT) for the last year. She was nominated by a colleague for Staff Spotlight because of her dedication to keeping students engaged with academic programming throughout the day. “She sets an example for the rest of the team in this way,” shared the nominator. “In addition to doing amazing work with students, Janice goes above and beyond and works so hard to help with tasks at the residence! She is so kind to work with and advocates for the needs of the students and fellow staff on the floor. Janice is always there to help out, wants to learn, and wants to make every day a great day for our students. I always look forward to being on the floor with Janice.”
How long have you worked for NECC?
I came to the US to work at NECC in May 2024. I was working as a case manager at a center next to NECC’s Dubai Clinic when I found out about NECC. I started as a rehabilitation counselor and was recently given a case manager role for one of our students on ITT 4.
What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of being in this job is witnessing firsthand the positive impact I have made on my students’ lives by seeing them progress and achieve goals that were once thought impossible.
Why did you choose a career in helping children with autism?
I have chosen to work in this career for the past 10 years because I am passionate about making a positive impact on the lives of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). I find immense fulfillment in supporting their development and helping them overcome challenges. I was drawn to this field because I believe in celebrating neurodiversity and appreciate the different perspectives and strengths these students bring.
Why NECC?
There are hundreds of reasons why I chose NECC. I wanted to be part of its mission and vision. NECC also offers many opportunities for staff to grow by supporting them in advancing their studies in the field of applied behavior analysis (ABA). The supervisors in ITT have shown me so much support and actively help on the floor, which fosters teamwork and ensures that no one is left behind.
Have you taken advantage of any of the grad programs or teacher training at NECC? If so, how has it affected your teaching style?
I plan to begin a master’s degree in ABA program in May. However, the continuous training provided by NECC has affected my teaching style in so many ways. I am learning how to deal effectively with difficult situations with our students across different scenarios.
What is something about you that your colleagues might be surprised to learn?
Something about me that I would love to share with my colleagues is that my first job was being a guidance counselor in a Chinese school.
Who is someone you look up to?
I look up to all of my supervisors from ITT. They are all good role models of integrity, morale, excellence, work ethic, teamwork, and creating a sense of family. This is especially true for new and international staff.
What is your life philosophy or motto you like to live by?
My philosophy in life has always been to become the absolute best that I can be at everything, and to utilize those skills to help others.