PITTSFIELD, Mass. Aug. 18, 2014—Hillcrest Educational Centers, Inc. (HEC) hires Todd Castine, Director of Autism Services to work on Autism Spectrum Disorder program development and expansion.

Todd Castine is a native of the Northern New York with over 25 years of experience working with children and adults having a variety of handicapping conditions. He is also a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.

Mr. Castine has extensive experiences working in environments specializing in the assessment and treatment of individuals diagnosed on the Autism spectrum and individuals having intense learning and behavioral difficulties. He also has a background in special education, supervising and or training graduate students in Master's level training programs in special education, school psychology, and Behavior Analysis.

Since coming on board at Hillcrest, Todd has been working on the development and expansion of the ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) based assessment and treatment unit. Paramount in the development and expansion of the program has been the ongoing refinement of the data based treatment model that relies heavily on the scientifically validated treatment methods. These methods are proven to be the best practice in treating even the most severely impaired children on the ASD spectrum.

Castine stated, “I am excited about Hillcrest Educational Center's desire to provide quality Autism Services here in the Berkshires. We are working hard to develop the best possible services using a scientifically based behavioral model and to improve the quality of life for children having extreme difficulties on the Autism Spectrum”.

Jerry Burke, President & CEO states, “HEC has been working to expand its offerings and the Autism program is another way we can help special needs children and their families. Todd was the perfect candidate for this position with his significant background coupled with his passion for special needs educational services.

About Hillcrest Educational Centers

A top Berkshire County employer Hillcrest Educational Centers is a private not-for-profit organization, providing therapeutic treatment and special education to children and adolescents with unique psychological and learning needs, in Berkshire County, Massachusetts and the Northeast. Campuses include a day student academy and three residential schools. They are also a resource for a broad range of psychological services, counseling and evaluations for individuals, families and schools in Berkshire County through Hillcrest Community Support Services. Hillcrest also operates Hillcrest Dental Care, Inc., a complete general family dentistry practice. Hillcrest Dental Care is the largest provider in Western Massachusetts of oral healthcare services to MassHealth recipients and special needs patients. In 2010, Hillcrest formalized an affiliation with Berkshire County Kids’ Place and Violence Prevention Center, Inc., a fully accredited Children’s Advocacy Center for child abuse victims and their non-offending family members. Visit our Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn pages under Hillcrest Educational Centers.

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Media Contact:
Hillcrest Educational Centers, Inc.
Katrina Cardillo
Director of Communications
413-499-7924 ext. 114
kcardillo@hillcresteducationalcenters.org