123 Rowley Hill Road, Sterling, Massachusetts 01564, United States
Specialized Services
Sterling Nursery School, Inc. provides intensive, high quality applied behavior analysis programing
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 6 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 and Pre-Kindergarten age groups), Social ThinkingTM Groups, Speech/Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Behavioral Consultation, including Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA), Education Consultation, Social/Play Consultation, and Parent/Home Training.
Specialized services may be funded through health insurance plans.
Program Staff
Director - Darlene Patten Louchart, M.Ed.
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 Schools, and colleges to assist in developing individualized, appropriate programs for each child. She has taught education, special and regular education classes and workshops through two local colleges.
Board Certified Behavior Analyst - Blue Favreau M.Ed., BCBA, LABA
Our therapeutic staff includes a Masters level Intensive Special Education Teacher who is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst as well as a License Applied Behavior Analyst. Blue develops and monitors all behavioral interventions, discrete trial programs, task analyzed instruction, and all other aspects of specialized programming. 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 has taught special education classes, workshops, and trainings.
Speech and Language Pathologist - Karla Miller, M.S., CCC-SLP
Karla has been a speech and language pathologist since 1997. She provides direct therapy, consults during direct instruction, group inclusion, playgroups, and social thinking. Karla works collaboratively with the BCBA.
Registered Behavior Technicians (RBT)
Our Registered Behavior Technicians work directly with each child and supervise other therapists on their caseload. They help develop and implement behavior intervention, discrete trial 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
ABA 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.
Social Group Therapists
Social group therapists are 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 director.
Occupational Therapist (OT)
Our occupational therapist provides direct therapy in the areas of sensory, fine and gross motor, utilizing suspension and therapeutic equipment. The OT overlaps with therapists regarding sensory, fine and gross motor activities and monitor each child's progress throughout the week, month, and year.