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Rita Gardner, M.P.H., BCBA Rita received her Master of Public Health degree from Boston University’s School of Public Health in the School of Medicine and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Rita has devoted the last twenty-five years in the field of community-based services for children and adults with the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders, acquired brain injuries, neurological disorders and severe challenging behaviors. She has been involved in the organization, design, development and implementation of over 50 community based programs for children and adults. Rita, with Frank Bird and Peter Troy, was instrumental in the establishment of Melmark’s New England program in 1998. Rita has written articles for professional journals and made a number of presentations on topics from program expansion, behavior management and transitioning students with brain injury back to the community. Rita has provided project consultation to the Pediatric Alliance for Coordinated Care (PACC), under the direction of the Chief of General Pediatrics at the Children’s Hospital, Boston. In addition, Rita has provided organizational consultation to a program for children with Asperger’s Syndrome at McLean Hospital and the Crossroads Center for Children, a school for children with autism. Prior to her work at Children’s Hospital, Rita directed the service center of Behavioral Health and Rehabilitative Services for The May Institute. The center serves children and adolescents with acquired brain injuries and includes residential services, an approved Massachusetts Department of Education school (ages 5-22), school consultation and home based family training. Rita’s legislative advocacy activities include involvement in the Autism Medicaid Waiver through the Division of Autism and sits on advisory committees with the Massachusetts Advocates for Children and Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts (AFAM). Her most recent legislative involvement has been advocating for proposed bills regarding the use of better regulating and restricting aversive treatment and the licensure of Board Certified Behavior Analysts in Massachusetts and advocacy for the development of adult service models specific to individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Rita is presently affiliated with the following professional organizations:
Rita is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Massachusetts-Boston and is an instructor for a 5-course graduate series on Applied Behavior Analysis. |
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