Parenting can be difficult, especially when faced with uncertainty about your child’s development. You may suspect that something is delaying your child’s development, or that perhaps you’re noticing signs of autism. Feeling overwhelmed is completely normal in such a circumstance. However,  some of that anxiety can be alleviated once you know what to anticipate.   UNDERSTANDING AUTISM Autism, also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), encompasses a broad spectrum of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication ..read more

World Autism Awareness Day, observed annually on April 2nd, is a significant global initiative aimed at increasing public awareness and understanding of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This special day serves as an opportunity to spread awareness about autism spectrum disorder and celebrate the diversity of all individuals who live with autism. Join Key Connections not only on this day, but for the entire month of April and beyond, as we aim to spread the word about inclusion, acceptance, and the importance of autism awareness. When did World Autism Awareness Day begin? The United Nations Gen ..read more

Westford, MA—Key Connections, a leading provider of Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy, will be opening a state-of-the-art ABA therapy facility in early 2024. The new facility, being constructed in in Westford, Massachusetts, will allow allow Key Connections to offer a full range of services, including in-home, in-school, and center-based services, reinforcing our commitment to delivering accessible ABA therapy to Greater Boston residents. While the construction of the facility is in its early stages, Key Connections is committed to keeping the community informed. Regular updates and de ..read more

With summer vacation coming to a close, back to school is all but a few short weeks away. Mornings will soon start a bit earlier; first-day outfits will be laid out; school buses will return to their daily routes. This time of year can be equal parts exciting as it is stressful, particularly for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Whether your child is joining a new classroom, grade, or school, the unfamiliarity of a new academic year can be worrisome. By making preemptive efforts to familiarize your child with his or her new classroom situation before the beginning of the scho ..read more

In our most recent blog post, we discussed the importance of offering paid career development opportunities to your employees. At Key Connections, we offer “Pool Hours” to our Behavior Technicians allowing continued education, collaboration with colleagues, and additional income. Recently, we sat down with employees to learn how they utilize these opportunities for growth. When we asked Samantha Greeno, Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) how pool hours have contributed to her professional and personal growth she said, “I have had the opportunity to challenge my knowledge of the field and gro ..read more

At Key Connections, we strive to provide our Behavior Technicians with opportunities for advancement at both the individual and career levels. By doing so, we have a great retention rate and high employee morale.  We call these advancement opportunities “Pool Hours.”  Pool Hours are offered to staff to use for career development, collaboration on cases, team meetings, ongoing support, and more. When implementing this concept, it was important to us that our Behavior Technicians were paid for these hours. Why? Simple. Their time is valuable.   Each month, we send a calendar of a ..read more

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder will face many challenges in life. As a parent, it’s only natural that you want to help them as much as you can. Key Connections ABA Services, LLC has exactly what you need to make life a little bit more comfortable for your little one: Structure and consistency Children with ASD thrive off of a structured lifestyle and consistency. Frequently changing environments can cause sensory overload and will make your child feel anxious and agitated. Another tip is to learn about Autism Therapy in Massachusetts and continue their therapist’s techniques at home ..read more

Applied behavioral analysis (ABA) is perhaps the most common therapy for children with autism and other developmental conditions. It is typically referred to as the gold standard when it comes to improving social, communication, and learning skills through positive reinforcement strategies. This is because therapists set specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound (SMART) goals. While it is ideal to have children with autism avail of ABA services in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, and open themselves to socialization, it’s also possible for parents to use its basic concepts in diff ..read more

Parents of atypical children, or those kids who were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, have a different experience than parents with neurotypical kids. What most parents believe to be a challenge in raising children is multiplied several times and brought to a whole new level when dealing with children with autism. Parents of children with ASD often have to put in more effort so their children become equipped with the necessary skills. Through early intervention, parents will be able to help their children reach their potential. That’s why they must be updated when it comes to early in ..read more

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