Corporate Clinical Office
The work of The Institute is clinical; it is person-centered and person-directed, using teaching and treatment methods that reflect the best of clinically proven techniques to help individuals with disabilities grow and learn. Our work is compassionate, and recognizes that all people are both different from each other yet share countless similarities. Understanding people’s differences in learning and behaving through careful assessment is the foundation of our work, since it is through understanding that we can build the kinds of clinical supports that help people get past communication and behavioral barriers to full participation in their neighborhoods and communities. Using proven teaching methods that reinforce a child’s production of words, for example, or an adult’s acquisition of the work habits that permit her to hold a meaningful job, is a clinically informed process that yields concrete evidence of growth, as well as information on where learning “gets stuck,” and how to correct it.
In the context of applied behavioral analysis (ABA), sound treatment typically begins with assessment – developmental, behavioral, communication, and adaptive. It seeks to understand what an individual’s developmental history and biology contribute to one’s strengths and needs, and how one’s environment shapes both adaptive and unhealthy behavior at home, at school or work, and in one’s community. Each individual served by The Institute receives the support of a clinically-trained staff member, either through residential, educational, day or vocational services. Care for and treatment of the whole person is reflected in behavioral treatment plans that are developed by the person’s team, led by the clinician. Direct treatment providers are trained in implementing the plan by the clinician and the program management staff. Progress is monitored through the collection of data, which are analyzed by the clinician. Fine tuning of treatment strategies helps an individual become increasingly more competent and in control; her progress is accelerated and she gains the satisfaction of reaching her goals.
Among the many methodologies we use to help children and adults acquire and maintain new skills are:
Positive reinforcement of adaptive and healthy behavior- Group Instruction
- Social skills development
- Individualized instruction and coaching
- Teaching how to gain attention
- Behavioral contracting
- Self-monitoring and self-tracking
- Discrete trial instruction
- Activity schedules
- Counseling and token economy in combination
- Antecedent control
- Keeping picture journals
- Generalization training
The quality of individuals’ treatment and care is reviewed professionally during clinical case reviews by trained clinicians, Program Review Committee discussion, and presentation of each individual’s progress with the Human Rights Committee. Careful assessment of each person’s progress on well-defined objectives leads to periodic graphing so that a clear visual record is available to the individual and those who care about him or her. These treatment graphs are invaluable in helping the team make changes that facilitate growth, and then in continuing to support the individual’s movement forward toward goals.
Corporate Clinical Office
195 Kimball Street
Fitchburg, MA 01420
978.343.5860
Dr. Kim Kelly, Ph.D.,BCBA Dr. Barbara Caparulo, Psy.D. Susan Lagasse
Vice President of Clinical Services Director of Quality in Applied Clinical Practice Executive Administrative Assistant Clinical Services
978.343.5860 x301 978.343.5860 x302 978.343.5860 x300
kkelly@ippi.org bcaparulo@ippi.org slagasse@ippi.org