Above: NECC has been making news for their continuing efforts to research autism and advocate for those who have it. (images from NECC website and video)
The New England Center for Children has been making news again. Here is a round up of stories on the Southborough based autism education and research institute.
One story has been covered by local media, the others are from announcements by the school.
Early Markers of Autism Project
Six years ago, I shared media coverage of a project that NECC has been researching on early detection of signs of autism and whether early interventions can make a difference. The study focuses on infants with siblings that have been diagnosed with autism.
It looks like national news this summer and fall related to autism prompted local news stations to cover NECC’s progress on the project.
Channel 7 news reported on the project in June. And last week, WCVB (Channel 5) covered the project. You can view their story here.
NECC’s website explains that NECC’s study follows up on “a remarkable” 2017 study in Wisconsin. NECC describes its research:
Dr. Rebecca MacDonald, a long-time senior program director at NECC, replicated this study at NECC. Dr. MacDonald and her team have spent the last few years documenting the early emergence of autism symptoms in high-risk infant siblings less than 6 months old. The research team even developed an Early Markers of Autism (EMA) assessment tool for young infants from data collected in the study. While Dr. MacDonald retired in the summer of 2023, the study continues under the direction of:
Erin Michaud, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCBA-D, LABA (principal investigator)
Sally Dupere, MS, BCBA, LABA
Victoria Yarzebski, MSEd, MS, BCBA, LABAFor more information on the project, click here.
Record Student Admissions: Teacher and Staff Increases Accommodated Student Body Expansion
This news appears to be directly related to NECC’s Southborough-based programs:
During the 2024-25 Academic Year, The New England Center for Children (NECC) boasted record growth in student enrollment. NECC welcomed 52 students, including 29 in the day school and 23 in the residential program, marking it the largest single-year increase in the school’s history.
This milestone was made possible by strategic growth in staffing, with NECC increasing its Southborough workforce by 11% to a total of 923. These positions included teachers, board certified behavior analysts, specialists, clinicians, and support staff. With world-class professional development (including free graduate school), attracting motivated teachers has proven effective.
You can read more here.
NECC Endowment Fund
NECC announced news about its “First-Ever” endowment fund. Apparently the fund was originally announced at its 2022 Children of Promise Gala. Last month NECC proudly shared that at the close of its 2025 fiscal year:
NECC had raised $9.4 million in commitments from more than 80 generous donors. This milestone represents more than financial growth; it is a lasting investment in NECC’s mission, its people, and the future of autism education.
The fund is in the name of the institute’s “visionary founder, former CEO, and current executive advisor, Vinnie Strully”.
