Registered Behavior Technicians (RBT)
Frequently Used Terms
Sterling Nursery School, Inc. provides intensive, high quality applied behavior analysis programming for children diagnosed with Autism.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) serves as a foundation for services provided. ABA uses data based, empirically derived and validated strategies and teaching methods including, but not limited to, discrete trial instruction, incidental teaching methods, task analyzed instruction, a rich array of prompting and reinforcement strategies, as well as behavior reduction strategies. Each child's needs are assessed on an individual basis and task analyzed systematic teaching programs are developed to teach invaluable learning-to-learn skills, remediate skill deficits, reduce behavior problems that can interfere with learning, enhance overall development and maximize a child's potential.
Sterling Nursery School, Inc. enrolls children 15 months to 5 years old with special needs, providing services for children up to 7 years old, in our full year program (Monday - Friday 8:30-2:15). Our full day, full year program offers consistency of location, services and therapeutic staff. We use the best practice to develop treatment goal objectives and teaching strategies while working with the child and family.
Our Program consists of the following: Contemporary ABA programming including, but not limited to, Discrete Trial Teaching, Social Play Groups, Group Inclusion (in Toddler, Preschool, Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten age groups), Social ThinkingTM Groups, Speech/Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Behavioral Consultation, including Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA), Educational Consultation, Social/Play Consultation and Parent/Home Training.
Specialized services may be funded through health insurance.
Our Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), 1:1 behavioral intervention and early intervention program for children with special needs, including autism services towns throughout Massachusetts, including, Sterling, Clinton, Lancaster, Leominster, Princeton, West Boylston, Lunenburg, Shirley, Holden, Rutland, Westminster, Gardner, Boylston, Bolton, Berlin, Harvard, Fitchburg, Worcester, Shrewsbury, Northborough, Hubbardston, Ayer, Boxboro, Stow, Acton, Littleton, Westford, Groton, Townsend, Ashburnham, Winchendon, Templeton
Specialized Services
Darlene holds a Masters Degree in Intensive Special Needs, a Bachelors Degree in Education and has taught, developed and coordinated regular and special education program since 1980. She is an active member of each child's intake and ongoing program at Sterling Nursery School. She works closely with all on-site and consultation staff, families, Early Intervention Agencies, Public School and colleges to assist in developing individualized, appropriate programs for each child. She teaches education, special and regular education classes and workshops through two local colleges.
Program Staff
Work directly with each child and supervise other therapists on their caseload. They help develop and implement behavior intervention, discrete trail instruction, and all other areas of individualized programming. RBTs overlap with and train parents for home skills and generalization of skills learned at Sterling Nursery School. They work directly with all specialists and the Director to provide a cohesive program for each child. RBTs are overseen by an on-site BCBA.
ABA Therapists
"Not only am I a parent of a child on the spectrum but an ABA therapist of 14 years, I can without any uncertainty say that Sterling Nursery School's specialized program is nothing short of amazing. The entire staff is patient and dedicated. They run every program correctly and efficiently and most importantly, they love the children they work with. We are extremely lucky to have our son in the program and have seen so much progress since he has been there."
"We just had one of the best nights of our lives! Our son, Drew, joined his typical peers in the LHS graduation ceremony. His journey began at Sterling Nursery School almost 17 years ago. Little did we know then that the relationships established those many years ago would foster lifelong friendships. Drew's success has been built by knowledgeable and skilled professionals whom we trust with every detail of our lives. The guidance, direction, love and patience you have provided over the years is invaluable to our whole family. Our family is forever grateful to the Sterling Nursery team."
Blue has experience since 1996 working with children both as a special educator and an ABA Therapist. She has been a BCBA since 2005. Blue also teaches special education classes, workshops and trainings.
Donna has had experience since 1979 working with children as a special education teacher and experience since 1997 as an ABA therapist. Donna has been a BCBA since 2007.
Our therapeutic staff includes two Masters level Intensive Special Education Teachers who are Board Certified Behavior Analyst as well as Licensed Applied Behavior Analysts. They develop and monitor all behavioral interventions, discrete trial programs, task analyzed instruction and all other aspects of specialized programming.
Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
Therapists are supervised by the RBTs , BCBA and the Director. They work directly with children running programs and providing support within the group and social playgroups. ABA Therapists participate in ongoing, on and off site training specific to program needs.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) - A scientifically proven method used to teach children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) new skills and to help modify behaviors.
Discrete Trial Training - A structured method of teaching a specific skill by breaking it down into small units. As your child learns one piece, the instructor moves on to the next, continuing in this way until your child has mastered the whole skill, such as learning colors.
Incidental Teaching - A teaching strategy that takes its cue from something your child expresses an interest in, such as a particular toy or reaching for a phone.
Positive Reinforcement - Presenting something desirable to your child immediately after she or he has responded appropriately, such as providing praise when he or she follows your direction.
Task Analysis - Teaching a skill that has a series of specific steps, such as zipping a jacket, by breaking it down into steps.
Shaping - Strategies used to teach new behaviors by reinforcing successive approximations towards the desired behavior, such as toilet training or eating new foods.
A Speech and Language Pathologist since 1997 provides direct therapy, consults during direct instruction, group inclusion, playgroups and social thinking.
Trained in ABA to facilitate play and interactive skills with peers through extensive training and experience. Therapists work under the leadership and guidance of the BCBAs, RBTs and the Director.
Blue Favreau, M.Ed., BCBA, LABA
We welcome tours arranged with the Director to view ongoing current programming at our facility.
Social Group Therapist
Director
Darlene Patten Louchart, M.Ed.
Sterling Nursery School, Inc.
Donna Harvey, M.Ed., BCBA, LABA
Karla Miller, M.S., CCC-SLP
Occupational Therapists (OTs) provide direct therapy in the areas of sensory, fine and gross motor utilizing suspension and therapeutic equipment. OTs overlap with Therapists regarding sensory, fine and gross motor activities and monitor each child's progress throughout the week, month, and year.
"When our daughter was first diagnosed with Autism at 16 months old we immediately began our search for the best services available. We consider ourselves lucky to have received several recommendations about Sterling Nursery School. From our very first tour it was evident they were very different from any program we had visited. The staff are excited about their work and are some of the most thoughtful people we have worked with. The consistency of staff, dedication to staying current and longevity make them truly unique. It took a relocation to make it work, but it's been the single best decision we've made. Darlene and her staff are proactive, eager to work with other support members and always keep our daughter's needs the top priority. She loves going to school and we love seeing her amazing progress. We highly recommend visiting and seeing for yourself."
Occupational Therapist