One Family's Story

The initial impetus for The Birchtree Center came from the life experience of the President of the Center's Board of Directors, Barbara Frankel, MSW, Ph.D. Twelve years ago, Dr. Frankel's son, Elliott, was diagnosed with autism at the age of 16 months.

When Elliott was diagnosed, there were essentially no specialized educational services for children with autism in New Hampshire. As an Associate Professor at the University of New Hampshire, a social worker, and family therapist, Dr. Frankel was able to use her professional contacts and experience to arrange an out-of-state sponsored, home-based program using consultants from the well-established Lovaas Institute for Early Intervention Program in California. As there were no school- or home-based programs for children with autism in the seacoast area of New Hampshire, Dr. Frankel negotiated with the Portsmouth (NH) School District, culminating in a fully funded, comprehensive, home-based program for Elliott, with continued consultation from the Lovaas Institute.

Dr. Frankel's personal experience of the difficulties and frustrations encountered in finding and providing the education her son needed as a child with autism laid the foundation and provided the genesis of The Birchtree Center.

 

 

The Birchtree Center . 33 Jewell Court, Suite 2 . Portsmouth, New Hampshire 03801 . 603-433-4192 . info@birchtreecenter.org