Northeast Arc’s Spotlight program provides Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services to children over 3 years old in a group setting. It provides a safe and encouraging environment where the sense of belonging is cultivated, differences are celebrated and tolerance is valued. Our groups take place in both community and center based settings. We utilize the techniques and principles of ABA to bring about meaningful and positive change to socially significant behaviors.
At Spotlight, we develop trust and rapport between participants and staff to create a positive environment for social learning. Our team consists of Board Certified Licensed Behavior Analysts (BCBA/LABA) and behavior technicians. They facilitate peer-to-peer interactions through Natural Environment Training and capitalize on organic opportunities for peer connection. The team creates strong, intrinsic motivation by incorporating participants’ interests into group activities.
Our program uses an evidence-based ABA social skills curriculum for individuals ages 3 to 22 with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Anxiety and other related diagnoses. Each week your child will not only be explicitly taught skills, but he or she will also have to demonstrate those skills within the group via roleplay and improvisation games. Our small groups are formed on the basis of age, developmental needs, interests, social competency, language competency, and perspective taking.
Additional services include drop-in groups and our Summer Program. Groups typically take place at 6 Southside Road in Danvers, MA.
Our groups follow a semi-structured schedule which focuses on utilizing improvisation games to teach and reinforce a variety of social pragmatic skills. These games also assist in building relationships between participants and staff members, which are in turn used to facilitate peer-to-peer relationship building. In addition, we include participants’ special interests and a highly structured video game component, both of which function as age-appropriate motivators and teaching tools for group members. A minimum ratio of one counselor for every three participants will be maintained.
Our summer program also includes the opportunity for each group of participants to create, write and perform in a short film which will premiere for family at friends on the last day of the program. More typical recreational activities such as outdoor noncompetitive games, swimming and field trips are also included in the curriculum.
