508-478-0207
Careers at BeaconBeacon ABA Services, Inc. (Beacon) is a private group practice of board certified and licensed applied behavior analysts, behavioral therapists, and licensed psychologists who specialize in working with very young children with developmental disabilities. Our Clinical Intervention Team is comprised of experts highly trained in evidence-based treatment interventions to children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The Beacon Assessment Center team is a highly trained group of licensed psychologists who can conduct early diagnostic evaluations and neurodevelopmental assessments. Beacon has been working extensively with individuals on the autism spectrum for over 26 years. Beacon utilizes evidence-based procedures and treatments based on principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Beacon actively contributes to the field of ABA through training students and professionals, contributing to field-based research and establishing collaborative professional community partnerships.
Programs & Services
Research has shown that early identification of autism and intensive treatment leads to better functional outcomes for children. Research has shown the techniques of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to be highly effective in promoting the development of new skills and the reduction of interfering behaviors in very young children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders. Beacon ABA Services was established to provide critical diagnostic services and early intensive behavioral intervention (EIBI) for young children.
Robert F. Littleton, Jr. Ed.D.
Founder and CEO
Paulo Guilhardi, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LABA
Executive Vice President of Operations
Dr. Guilhardi is the Senior Vice President of Operations at Beacon ABA Services of Massachusetts. He received his Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Experimental Psychology from Brown University. Dr. Guilhardi is responsible for the day-to-day business operations and expansion of the Beacon practice. Dr. Guilhardi works to ensure families have access to the highest quality and intensive Applied Behavior Analysis services. Dr. Guilhardi oversees the business operations of Beacon satellite offices representing multiple regions across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Dr. Guilhardi has extensive clinical experience working with children affected by the Autism Spectrum and their families in homes, schools, and residential environments
Dan Almeida, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LABA-MA
Executive Vice President of Clinical Services and Graduate Study
Daniel Almeida is the Executive Vice President of Clinical Services and Graduate Study. He is also the Program Director for the Ph.D. in ABA program at Cambridge College. Previously, he was the District Supervisor of ABA Services for a major public school district in Greater Boston and held a variety of director level positions at private, ABA-based schools is Massachusetts. He received his Ph.D. in ABA from Simmons College. Dan has provided ABA services to students with Autism Spectrum Disorders and related disabilities for over 30 years. He has published original research on staff training and interventions for students with autism in peer-reviewed journals and has presented research at national and regional conferences. He has also conducted professional development workshops in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). He served as adjunct faculty since 2002, teaching classes in certificate and graduate degree programs in ABA. Dan is passionate about training and supporting staff to provide culturally responsive, evidence-based ABA treatment to families.
Susan Rapoza-Houle, M.S.Ed., BCBA, LABA
Associate Vice President of Employee Development
Susan Rapoza-Houle is the Associate Vice President of Employee Development at Beacon ABA Services. She received Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work from Bridgewater State College, a Master of Science in Special Education from Simmons College, and a post master’s certificate in Behavior Analysis from Pennsylvania State University. She has been a Board Certified Behavior Analyst since 2006 and is a Licensed Behavior Analyst in Massachusetts. Sue has more than 25 years of experience in the field of behavior analysis, working with learners with intensive special needs between the ages of 18 months to 25 years of age. Sue served on the Massachusetts Autism Commission’s Workforce Development Sub-Committee, has presented her research work at local and national conferences, and has worked at Beacon for more than 18 years. As the Associate Vice President of Employee Development, she is responsible for designing and implementing professional development trainings.
Charles Newfield, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LABA, LBA, Licensed Psychologist
Chief Operating Officer
Kelley Henry, Psy.D., BCBA-D, LABA
Executive Vice President of Assessment Services
Dione Christy, Ph.D. (Consult)
Senior Advisor, Office of Belonging: Cultural Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity Practice
Dr. Dione Christy is the Senior Advisor of the Office of Belonging: Cultural Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity Practice (B:CEID) of Human Services Management Corporation. Previously, she served as a visiting adjunct Professor of Practice with Nova University, Advising Senior Consultant with Virginia Department of Education, Division of Quality Schools, and Chair/Senior Lead Evaluator with Cognia Corporation. Dr. Christy has also served as President of a Washington-based public service organization and Nonprofit Senior Executive of a Northern Virginia-based National Association overseeing superintendent and principal leadership development. Dr. Christy has previously been appointed to the Educator Workforce Diversity Initiative Task Force and State Equity Plan of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and the Harvard University and Boston Public Schools Inclusion and Equity Advisory Committee and Equity Working Group. Dr. Christy has been invited to speak at thought leadership events and has numerous service honors and awards such as the United States President’s Education Awards for Educational Excellence, Chamber of Commerce’s International ATHENA Individual Leadership Award, Economic Council and the Education Foundation’s Administrator of the Year, Executive Women’s National Female Executive Award, and DWYER Award for Excellence in Special Education. Dr. Christy earned post-doctorate advanced certification in change leadership, education reform, and urban education superintendent from Harvard University; global education senior policy fellow designation from the institute of Education Leadership (IEL), a Ph.D. (College of Sciences Marshall, Kappa Delta Pi honors, distinction) in leadership and education from Barry University, and a M.S. in speech language pathology supervision and administration from Nova University. Additionally, she is certified in Facilitative Leadership for Social Change from the Interaction Institute for Social Change.
Robert K. Ross, Ed.D, BCBA-D, LABA
Clinical Advisor
Dr. Ross is the Clinical Advisor at Beacon ABA Services of Massachusetts and Connecticut. He received his Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis from Northeastern University and his Doctorate from Nova Southeastern University. Dr. Ross oversees all research activity at Beacon. He also provides direct and consultation services to families, schools and educational programs throughout the U.S. and Canada. He is a founding member and current Past President of the Massachusetts Association for Applied Behavior Analysis. Dr. Ross is also the President of the Autism Special Interest Group (SIG) of ABAI, and has served three terms on the ABAI Practice Board.
LISTEN NOW: Operant Innovations Podcast
Sarah Calder, a Behavior Therapist at Beacon, joined Dr. Joseph Vedora and Dr. Dan Almeida on the Operant Innovations podcast to discuss Cambridge College's Master’s and Ph.D. program, offered in partnership with Beacon ABA Services and the Evergreen Center. Sarah...
Clinical Research Reports
Beacon is proud to contribute to the latest evidence based strategies in the field of ABA therapy. We regularly analyze clinical research reports to support our core value of utilizing evidence-based strategies that lead to functional treatment outcomes for clients,...
Video: About Us
Beacon has developed an informational video for professionals, clients, and staff. Meet some members of the Beacon ABA Services team as they discuss Beacon's tradition of excellence in evidence-based service delivery and employee development....
Message from the President
Beacon ABA Services Corporate Office
321 Fortune Boulevard
Milford, MA 01757
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Leominster Office
80 Erdman Way, Suite 300
Leominster, MA 01453
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North Andover Office
790 Turnpike Street, Suite 105
North Andover, MA 01845
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North Dartmouth Office
92 Faunce Corner Road, Suite 120
North Dartmouth, MA 02747
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Rockland Office
55 Accord Park Drive
Suite 5 (Located on 1st Floor)
Rockland, MA 02370
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West Springfield Office
59 Interstate Drive
Suite 3
West Springfield, MA 01089
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Beacon ABA Services specializes in evidence-based treatment to young children
with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
