Our Story | The New England Center for Children

Our Mission is to create a global network of educators, researchers, and programs so that those living with autism may live fuller lives. Our Vision is a world where autism is not a barrier to happiness, growth, and independence.

Founded in 1975 by L. Vincent Strully, Jr. with a small grant and a team of six, NECC has grown into a global leader in autism education, research, and technology. Today, we employ 1,200 staff and support over 15,000 individuals with autism worldwide.

For 50 years, we’ve believed every child with autism deserves a full and rewarding life. We offer day and residential programs, public school classrooms, consulting, and teacher-friendly autism curriculum software, and we train future educators and behavior analysts through onsite graduate programs. Thousands of NECC-trained professionals now deliver top-quality autism services around the world.

Our research center, the John and Diane Kim Autism Institute, explores how children with autism learn best. The results are shared in leading journals and built into our ACE® software, helping educators worldwide provide effective instruction.

1975

Vinnie Strully, Dudley Orr, and John Pangburn found the Efficacy Research Institute (ERI) on the grounds of the Taunton State Hospital. The school starts with six students.

1978

Dr. Paul Touchette establishes the research program. In 1985, Dr. Touchette, Dr. Rebecca MacDonald, and Susan Langer publish our first professional research article in the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis: “A Scatter plot for identifying stimulus control of problem behavior.”

1980

ERI takes over Spear Education Center in Framingham. ERI in Taunton becomes ERIT, managed by Kathy Foster. Spear Education Center becomes ERIF and is managed by Vinnie Strully. In 1986, ERIT and ERIF merge to become The New England Center for Autism (NECA) and move to our present location in Southborough, MA.

1987

NECA opens its first residential home in Westborough. Over the next four years, 11 more residential homes open in the MetroWest area.

Dr. Murray Sidman, professor emeritus at Northeastern University, joins NECA as senior research associate and establishes an on-site research lab to continue his work on stimulus equivalence.

1991

NECA establishes a center-based preschool program serving young children with autism and PDD. The program provides intensive behavioral instruction and opportunities for integration with typically developing peers, leading to systematic transition into the public schools. In 2002, NECC opens a new, state-of-the-art preschool and early childhood center at its Southborough site.

1992

The master’s in applied behavior analysis (ABA) program through Northeastern University is established.

NECA partners with Simmons College to provide a master’s degree in education and licensure in severe special needs.

1996

NECA becomes The New England Center for Children (NECC), emphasizing its mission in providing best-in-class educational services for children with autism, PDD, and related disabilities.

Rebecca MacDonald and Renée Mansfield start NECC’s home-based program to serve children with autism under the age of 3.

1997

A private program is established in Abu Dhabi, bringing NECC’s services to the United Arab Emirates.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Consulting division is established. The GCC includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

1998

NECC opens its Professional Development Center. This additional space allows NECC to expand its program for professional development by providing additional classrooms for NECC trainings as well as affiliated graduate study programs.

The NECC Golf Classic, first held in 1997, becomes the Carlos Placido-Dunkin’ Donuts Golf Classic for Autism.

NECC’s Public School Services division establishes the first Partner Program Classroom in an Ashburnham/Westminster public school.

1999

Hamilton College and NECC develop a Cooperative Learning Program to provide students with hands-on practical experience and full semester academic credit. The program is modeled after traditional “term abroad” programs and was developed according to rigorous academic standards.

2003

The first lesson is published in the Autism Curriculum Encyclopedia® (ACE).

2006

The ACE^® software system expands beyond NECC classrooms and moves into public schools in New England.

NECC receives a Kresge Foundation Challenge Grant to build the Michael S. Dukakis Aquatic Center. The Center opens in 2008 after a successful first-ever capital campaign.

2007

The first NECC 5K Walk/Run for Autism in Southborough is held, bringing together runners, walkers, and supporters from the community to promote autism understanding and provide financial support for NECC.

NECC opens a school in Abu Dhabi, as a directive of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. In 2013, the school moves to a state-of-the-art facility location in Mohammed Bin Zayed City, Abu Dhabi, and is renamed The Mohammed bin Rashid Center for Special Education operated by The New England Center for Children (MRC-NECC).

2012

The Michael F. Downey Center for Childhood Development opens to provide care for children of staff.

2016

The John and Diane Kim Autism Institute opens in October, marking the biggest expansion of the NECC campus to date. The Kim Autism Institute is home to 33,00 square-feet of office, graduate classroom, and research space.

2018

NECC introduces ABAplus®, an online learning platform for professionals.

NECC’s vocational program is featured in The New York Times.

2023

Smigel Supersmile® Dental Clinic opens at NECC.

Dr. Jessica Sassi, BCBA-D, LABA, succeeds Vinnie as CEO. Vinnie transitions to the role of Founder and Executive Advisor.

NECC opens new clinics in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.