Southcoast Autism Center, an intensive Applied Behavior Analysis center for children and families affected by Autism, will open its second location in September.

Dr. Sinead Petersen, owner and Executive Director of the Center, said today that their second Center will be at 657 Quarry Street, Tower Mills in Fall River, with a planned opening date in September. Southcoast Autism Center has been serving the needs of families in the Southcoast Region since 2013; the additional location, she said, is in response to inquiries from the Fall River area for the types of early intervention and treatment services that their Center offers.

Southcoast Autism Center is recognized as a leader in successful, early intervention treatments that give children a significant advantage as they enter public or private schools. Treatments can begin as early as 18 months, and Southcoast Autism Center uses the ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) process of systematically applying interventions based upon the principles of learning theory to improve socially significant behaviors.

Southcoast Autism Center specializes in helping both verbal and non-verbal children who have been diagnosed with Autism. Their family-friendly, warm, personal environment provides one-on-one work with the region’s leading highly-skilled therapists, and is the only center in the area which focuses on early intensive treatment. The treatment programs of Southcoast Autism Center provide great advantages for children as they approach school age.

Dr. Petersen said, “We are delighted to be coming to Fall River and are looking forward to working with children and their families in this area.” She said, “One of our goals is to educate families on the availability of intensive early intervention services.” She continued, “Regrettably, the availability of these services is something that many families, and even pediatricians, are not aware of.” She added, “Also, there is not enough information known about the fact that there is insurance coverage which can provide for many of these services and make a real difference in the child’s and family’s lives.” She said that the Center will host an Open House this fall.

Currently, Southcoast Autism Center has a location at 69 Main Street, Fairhaven, MA, which will continue to serve families in the Fairhaven-Dartmouth-New Bedford region. Their Fairhaven Center houses a staff of 20 and works with youngsters with Autism Spectrum Disorder ranging in age from 18 months to six years, as well as older children, ages 6 to 18 in a Social Skills Group. Dr. Petersen plans for similar treatment options at the new Fall River location.

About Southcoast Autism Center

Southcoast Autism Center specializes in compassionate, highly-skilled early intervention treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder of children from ages 18 months to 6 years. Experienced and highly-trained therapists assist children and families of children with Autism, providing support for both verbal and non-verbal children. Programs include Foundations, which provides intensive, 1 on 1 ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) therapy for non-verbal children in a nurturing environment, teaching them the value of communication; and Connections, which teaches children how to make and keep friends as well as how to participate in a classroom setting. Additionally, the Center serves youth from ages 6 to 18 in its Social Skills Groups. Students enrolled in the daytime programs can stay with the Center until the age of 6, at which time the Center helps the child and family transition into the public/private school setting. Many insurance plans provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Southcoast Autism Center founder and Executive Director Sinead Petersen earned her doctoral degree from Simmons College and has more than twenty years’ experience working with children with Autism and other Developmental Disorders. Prior to founding Southcoast Autism Center, she served as Clinical Director for a private school serving children with Autism. She has created and led several public school Autism programs. Dr. Petersen’s experience also includes working as a school and home-based behavioral therapist, designing training protocols for ABA therapists and supervisors, and consulting with families and schools. Her specializations include verbal behavior and parent training. Dr. Petersen leads a team of 20 therapists and support professionals at Southcoast Autism Center. For additional information, or to request a tour of their facility, please call 508.997.1311 or email info@scautismcenter.com. The Center’s website is www.southcoastautismcenter.com.