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Our Mission
_________________
To improve the lives of children
and families by affecting
meaningful behavior change through Applied Behavior Analysis.
Meet Our Clinical Director
Thomas Farnsworth
Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA
Co-Founder & Clinical Director
I'm Dr. Tom Farnsworth, the co-founder and clinical director of Meaningful Behavior Change (MBC). As a licensed doctoral-level Board Certified Behavioral Analyst (BCBA-D), I have over ten years of experience in the field of autism services. My training began at the New England Center of Children in Southborough, MA, and I furthered my education with an M.S. and Ph.D. in Behavior Analysis from Western New England University. During my time there, I had the privilege of learning from and collaborating with some of the most renowned experts in the field of applied behavior analysis.
I've served as a Visiting Assistant Professor at Western Connecticut State University and as an adjunct professor at the University of Saint Joseph and Sacred Heart University. I'm an active contributor to the field, having presented my research on promoting leisure skill development in children with autism at regional and international conferences. My work on evaluating computer-based instruction is published in the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis and under review by the Journal of Behavioral Education.
Over the past decade, I've worked directly with children and adolescents, their families, and interdisciplinary teams. My career began as a behavior therapist in a group home for adolescents with autism, and I've since worked with children in a classroom-based day program, as an in-home BCBA, and as the clinical director for a small clinic. My skillset is broad, but my primary focus is on the assessment and treatment of problem behavior, including self-injury, aggression, and property destruction, with a range of severity.
A Message From Dr. Tom
I founded MBC with a deep commitment to serving my community by providing compassionate and high-quality ABA to children and families, especially those affected by autism-spectrum disorder. Working for myself, I can prioritize finding clients who are a good fit for what I offer.
I know what's at stake for families. My work with children and adolescents has shown me how dysfunction can escalate without proper intervention, and I've seen firsthand the difficult decisions families face when problem behavior becomes unmanageable. I prioritize communication, tolerance, cooperation, and leisure skills from the start and work closely with families to address the root causes of problem behavior, laying the foundation for steady progress toward developmental goals
I'll work with you to create a positive vision for the future and then help you realize it. I dare families to dream about a future in which they are flourishing and work closely with them to create a clear path to success with practical solutions and ongoing support every step of the way. The road is challenging, and progress is slow at first, but by working together, meaningful, if not transformative, behavior change is possible.
My commitment to meaningful, long-term progress also drives my belief in the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration. I believe that the best outcomes for children and families come from working together with other professionals, and whether it's collaborating with existing providers or working with families to build a multidisciplinary team, I'm eager to facilitate a unified approach that supports child development from all angles.
In addition to my dedication and expertise, I bring playful and fun energy to my work. I adore the kids I work with and love finding creative ways to make learning enjoyable and engaging. My approach is never one-dimensional, and I know that building trust and making the process enjoyable are key to fostering positive change.
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