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Beacon ABA Services is pleased to announce the opening of our new ABA centers in Chicopee, Milford, North Andover, and Rockland! Learn More

Beacon ABA Services

Collaborating with families and teachers

Beacon ABA Services provides ABA treatment in the homes and schools of families affected by childhood autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and behavioral concerns.
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Making a Difference!

Beacon provides a positive work environment with employee training, consultation and supervision that enables our staff to grow professionally and reach their highest potential while assisting children to reach theirs.
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Creating Partnerships

Beacon’s mission is to work in partnership with families, early intervention programs and school systems to foster essential life skills for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and challenging behavior.
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Practicing Excellence

Beacon ABA Services uses only evidence-based instructional practices based on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Beacon actively contributes to the field through training, research and professional partnerships.
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About Us

Beacon 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 Diagnostic Services 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.

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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.

Early Childhood Diagnostic Services

Early Childhood Diagnostic Services are available for families who are enrolled in Early Intervention (EI) and are pursuing Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI) from Beacon. These services can be initiated by completing our referral form on our website or by request from your EI Service Coordinator. Comprehensive diagnostic assessments are also available for clients transitioning from EIBI services and pursuing In-Home and Center-Based services from Beacon after the age of three.

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In-Home Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention Services

In-Home Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI) services are available for families enrolled in Early Intervention (EI) who have received an autism diagnosis from Beacon or elsewhere.  Beacon is one of the largest Specialty Service Providers for the Early Intervention Division of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health serving all areas of the Commonwealth. These services can be initiated by completing our referral form on our website or from your EI Service Coordinator in the EI client system.

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Over the Age of 3 In-Home and Center-Based Applied Behavior Analysis Services

In-Home and Center-Based Services are available for children diagnosed with autism as part of a transition from services provided through Early Intervention at the age of three. These services utilize the principles of applied behavior analysis and are funded through insurance. The focus of the In-Home and Center-Based Services period is to provide children and parents with support in developing skills related to the core deficits of autism: communication, social skills and adaptive behavior, and work on pre-requisites for your child’s success in school. These services are available from the age of three and can continue until your child either meets clinical criteria for discharge or attends school full-time.

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Our Executive Team

Caring through Competence

Providing ABA services and making a difference to families affected by ASD

Robert F. Littleton, Jr. Ed.D.

Robert F. Littleton, Jr. Ed.D.

Founder and CEO

Robert F. Littleton Jr. is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of numerous service agencies including Beacon ABA Services of Massachusetts and Connecticut, the Evergreen Center, Criterion Child Enrichment, BehaviorPedia Inc., and Human Services Management Corporation. Dr. Littleton has taught elementary and special education in the Barnstable Public Schools. He has held certifications as an Administrator of Special Education and as an Early Intervention Program Director. He received his B.A. degree from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and his Masters in Education in Severe Special Needs from Lesley University.   Dr. Littleton completed his doctoral research in Special Education at Boston University on the treatment of toddlers with expressive language delay. He is a past President of the Massachusetts Association for Approved Private Schools and is a former Chair of the Council of Affiliated State Associations, a subcommittee of the National Association of Private Special Education Centers. He is also a founding incorporator of the Massachusetts Association for Applied Behavior Analysis. Dr. Littleton was the catalyst and has been a key contributor to the development of graduate training programs for behavior analysts at the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth and Cambridge College. He has served as a committee chair for the Massachusetts Early Intervention Consortium and as a trustee the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies. He is currently a trustee of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst Foundation and the Milford Regional Medical Center. In 2012, Dr. Littleton was an inaugural recipient of the Salute to Service Award from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

A message from the President

Paulo Guilhardi, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LABA

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 centers 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

Susan Rapoza-Houle, Ph.D., BCBA, LABA

Susan Rapoza-Houle, Ph.D., BCBA, LABA

Vice President of Employee Development and Recruitment

Dr. Susan A. Rapoza-Houle is the Vice President of Employee Development and Recruitment at Beacon ABA Services,  overseeing recruitment, training, and professional growth initiatives for over 300 staff members. She holds a Ph.D. in Applied Behavior Analysis from Cambridge College, a Master of Science in Special Education from Simmons College, and a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Bridgewater State University. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Licensed Applied Behavior Analyst (LABA) in Massachusetts. Since joining Beacon ABA in 2003, Dr. Rapoza-Houle has held various leadership roles, including Director of Recruitment and Orientation. Her contributions include creating behaviorally based interview systems and developing comprehensive training programs. Active in professional organizations, Dr. Rapoza-Houle serves on the Board of Directors for the Massachusetts Association for Behavior Analysis (MassABA) and has contributed to the Autism Commission’s Workforce Development Subcommittee.

Robert K. Ross, Ed.D, BCBA-D, LABA

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.

Charles Newfield, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LABA, LBA, Licensed Psychologist

Charles Newfield, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LABA, LBA, Licensed Psychologist

Chief Operating Officer

Dr. Newfield is the Chief Operating Officer of Beacon ABA Services in Massachusetts and Connecticut. He received his M.A. and Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology with a focus in the Experimental Analysis of Behavior from Adelphi University. In addition to being a licensed and board certified behavior analyst, he is also a licensed psychologist in Connecticut. Dr. Newfield has been the Director for Behavioral Services at a private non-profit in Connecticut for the past 18 years. During his tenure, he was responsible for the agency’s dynamic growth in Connecticut where he oversaw development of a variety of behavioral services for children in school settings including founding a state approved special education school for students with high functioning autism and other disabilities. Under his supervision, the School Consultation Division began as a start-up and grew to become a division serving thousands of individuals and their families and over 50 school districts. Dr. Newfield was a founding member of a collaborative Master’s Program with Fitchburg State, MA in Applied Behavior Analysis. He began his career serving as a Behavioral Consultant for the ACES school programs in Connecticut for 10 years.
Kelley Henry, Psy.D., BCBA-D, LABA

Kelley Henry, Psy.D., BCBA-D, LABA

Executive Vice President of Assessment Services

Dr. Henry is a pediatric neuropsychologist specializing in early identification and treatment of young children with developmental disabilities, social, and behavior challenges. She has almost 20 years of clinical experience working with children with Autism Spectrum disorders and developmental disabilities. Dr. Henry received her doctorate degree in clinical psychology from William James College formerly known as the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology, earned a masters´ degree in child development from Tufts University, and bachelors’ degree from Hobart and William Smith Colleges. She completed graduate work within the field of Applied Behavior Analysis at Endicott College. Dr. Henry has extensive post-doctorate clinical training within the pediatric neuropsychology specialty. She has worked in a clinical capacity in early intervention programs, with specialty service providers, in schools and hospitals, as well as private practice. Dr. Henry has worked at Beacon for five years. In that time, she has been instrumental in the development of the Beacon Assessment Center, a program of Beacon ABA Services developed to provide high quality diagnostic evaluation and neuropsychological assessments to families. In her role as Senior Vice President of Assessment Service, Dr. Henry oversees a team of Licensed Psychologists and Speech-Language Pathologists working out of seven satellite locations across the Commonwealth.
Joe Vedora, Ed.D, BCBA-D, LABA

Joe Vedora, Ed.D, BCBA-D, LABA

Executive Vice President of Treatment Efficacy and Graduate Training

Dr. Vedora has been a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) since 2001. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Hobart and William Smith Colleges, his Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis from Northeastern University, and Doctorate in Education from Nova Southeastern University. Dr. Vedora worked at Beacon ABA Services as a Behavioral Educator, Regional Director, and Vice President between 1997-2011, and recently rejoined Beacon as the Executive Vice President for Treatment Efficacy and Training. He previously held roles as Program Chair and Assistant Program Director at Cambridge College prior to joining Bridgewater State University as a visiting professor. Dr. Vedora has published several research articles related to teaching individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). He has served as a Guest Reviewer for several journals including the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, Behavior Analysis and Practice, Behavioral Interventions, and the Psychological Record. Dr. Vedora is the current treasurer and past president of the Massachusetts Association of Applied Behavior Analysis (MassABA).

Featured News

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Read the latest from Beacon ABA Services in our news section.

Message from the President

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What is love except for another name for the use of positive reinforcement? Or vice versa.

B.F. Skinner, Walden Two

Beacon ABA Services Corporate Office

300 E Main Street, Suite 104
Milford, MA 01757
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Milford Center

20 Asylum Street
Milford, MA 01757
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Leominster Center

80 Erdman Way, Suite 103A
Leominster, MA 01453
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North Andover Center

790 Turnpike Street, Suite 105
North Andover, MA 01845
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North Dartmouth Center

92 Faunce Corner Road, Suite 120
North Dartmouth, MA 02747
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Rockland Center

55 Accord Park Drive
Suite 5 (Located on 1st Floor)
Rockland, MA 02370
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Chicopee Center

55 Main Street
Building B, Suite 102
Chicopee, MA 01020
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