Press Releases

Randolph, Mass. — Public awareness and understanding of autism spectrum disorder have increased dramatically in the 30 years since the film “Rain Man.” Today, most people know or will meet someone on the spectrum: one in every 59 children is diagnosed with autism. In 2000, it was one in 150.“There is less stigma and greater understanding about autism,” says Cynthia Anderson, Ph.D., BCBA-D, Director of May Institute’s National Autism Center. “Even so, and despite these advancements, common misperceptions persist.”To reduce confusion, top clinical experts at May Institute offered key takeaways from the latest research and clinical findings:     1. Children and adults [...]

Randolph, Mass. – May Institute, a national provider of services for children, adolescents, and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other special needs, is cited in Autism Parenting Magazine for its authoritative research. The article highlighted the National Autism Center at May Institute for “the largest review of autism research to date.” The center’s National Standards Project reviewed therapies for autism and determined which ones are effective and have scientific backing. The project sought to answer one of the most pressing public health questions of our time — how to effectively treat individuals with ASD. It concluded that behaviorally based interventions (i.e., applied [...]

Randolph, Mass. – The statistics just released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about the increase in the prevalence rate of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in U.S. children are an important reminder of work that still needs to be done. There likely are several factors contributing to this increase. First, as noted by the CDC, ASD is now diagnosed more often among children of color, and in particular black children. This is actually good news, as it suggests that we are doing a better job identifying children in some historically under-reached communities. The continued increase may also be [...]

Randolph, Mass. — In 2017, May Institute further advanced its reputation for excellence in the field of applied behavior analysis (ABA), adding four national experts to its clinical leadership team, and sharing its expertise in ABA on a global level. It was also a year in which the organization was ranked #17 on The Commonwealth Institute’s list of Top 100 Women-led Businesses in Massachusetts, up from #26 the previous year. May Institute served 3,278 individuals and families in fiscal year 2017 through its 144 programs and sites across the country. More than 82,000 students in 162 schools were impacted through May [...]

First Middle East trip forges new partnerships in countries seeking response to autism “tsunami” Randolph, Mass. — The National Autism Center (NAC) at May Institute has been selected to participate in the U.S. State Department’s Speaker Program, and was subsequently invited to provide training and consultation in applied behavior analysis and autism spectrum disorder in both Oman and Dubai. The Speaker Program is managed by the State Department’s Bureau of International Information Programs, which organizes traveling and electronic events for American experts to engage with foreign audiences worldwide. May Institute and its National Autism Center respond to national and global [...]

Randolph, Mass. – As record numbers of students with autism are back to school this month, the National Autism Center at May Institute is offering teachers its popular educators’ manual – Evidence-based Practice and Autism in the Schools, 2nd Edition – as a free resource. This manual and other informative publications focused on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are available as free downloads at nationalautismcenter.org. Since the manual was first published, tens of thousands of copies have been downloaded or purchased by teachers and front-line interventionists from across the country and throughout the world. Responses to a national survey indicate the [...]

Randolph, Mass. — Cynthia M. Anderson, Ph.D., BCBA-D, has joined May Institute as Senior Vice President of Applied Behavior Analysis. Dr. Anderson holds a joint appointment as Director of May Institute’s National Autism Center (NAC). May Institute is a national network of programs and services for individuals of all ages with special needs; NAC is its Center for the Promotion of Evidence-based Practice. [Read Dr. Anderson's bio here.] Dr. Anderson’s responsibilities include consultation and support to clinical staff members across the organization who provide services to individuals with challenging behaviors. In addition, she promotes research in and dissemination of evidence-based [...]

Randolph, Mass. — Robert F. Putnam, Ph.D., LABA, BCBA-D, Executive Vice President of Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports and Consultation for May Institute, was recently elected President-Elect of the Massachusetts Association of Applied Behavior Analysis (MassABA) at the Association’s annual meeting. Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is a methodology, or framework, that applies scientific interventions to address behavioral needs. MassABA represents more than 700 ABA professionals, provides training and educational opportunities, and informs members about ABA practice developments in the Commonwealth. May Institute, a leading national provider of educational, rehabilitative, and behavioral healthcare services for people with special needs, has an [...]

Randolph, Mass.—Anyone can search the Internet for “autism treatment” or “autism cure” and get hundreds of thousands of hits. Faced with a barrage of often-conflicting information, how do you know where to begin? During this Autism Awareness Month, it is important not only to raise awareness, but also to offer scientifically sound information that families and others can use to make life better now for people on the autism spectrum. Knowledge is power. “The numbers – at least one million U.S. children have autism, not to mention the rapidly growing population of adults with autism – are staggering,” says Lauren [...]