BCL Family Support Center

04/26/2026

04/26/2026

04/26/2026

11 years of summer programming and this is one of our favorites!

Summer can be a great opportunity for growth, but only if the environment feels right.

With generous support from the United Way, we’re able to offer our 2026 Summer Enrichment Academy at a low cost for families 💛

This is a small, neurodiversity-affirming program where kids can:

✨ build confidence
✨ connect with peers in a supportive space
✨ strengthen communication
✨ develop self-regulation skills through real experiences

All through movement, creativity, mindfulness, and play led by clinicians who understand kids.

📅 Monday–Thursday | July 13 – August 13
⏰ 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
👧🧒 Ages 8–11
📍 Fall River, MA
💲 $50/week (made possible through United Way funding)

If you’ve been looking for a program where your child can feel understood, supported, and successful—this is a great option.

📩 Register here: https://forms.gle/MTRVWEjcBF19JLZv9

or reach out:
group.programsblc@gmail.com

(or scan the QR code on the flyer!)

We’re happy to answer any questions—feel free to message us 💬

04/24/2026

New positions available including an Independent Living Supports Manager, Residential Manager, LPN, and more!

Apply today at https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/portal/EA5C719C4932D9881C04521E5653AEE7/career-page

04/24/2026

🎶 The Kodi Lee Gives Back Grant is OPEN! 🎹

In partnership with the amazing , we're proud to offer music-based scholarships for autistic teens and young adults ready to pursue their musical dreams. Whether you're looking for lessons, recording sessions, marketing support, or career development, this grant is here to help you grow.

🎤 Apply for up to $1,000 in music-related funding and take your talent to the next level!
📅 Applications close May 13 at 5 PM ET

🔗 Learn more and apply now: https://flutiefoundation.org/helping-families/direct-financial-support/kodi-lee-gives-back-grant

04/22/2026

Join First Citizens' Credit Union this Tuesday evening for an Economic Empowerment Hour for adults and seniors. Learn about maximizing credit and how to avoid scams. Come with any and all financial questions! No registration required. 💸📈

04/22/2026

The following is a list of public hearing notices about proposed MassHealth actions.

04/22/2026

Let’s talk about communication [see what I did there?]

Language doesn’t develop the same way for everyone. There are two common pathways. There’s bottom-up, or analytic language processing. This is what most people expect. Language builds from one word to two words to short phrases to sentences.

So it might move from “juice” to “want juice” to “I want juice.” Each piece is learned separately, then combined.

Gestalt language processors develop language top-down. Language starts as whole chunks. They use full phrases they’ve heard - “Do you want juice” “Let’s get some juice” or “Let’s get some juice.” Then they start breaking apart and recombining phrases - “want juice?” or “get juice.” You’ll hear pieces of different phrases blending together then individual words emerge and eventually new sentences begin to form.

Many neurodivergent folx are Gestalt language processors. We see this come out as echolalia and scripting, two communication systems that professionals often see as meaningless or ineffective. However, when we consider top-down processors to be delayed or only recognize one way of learning, we miss what’s happening right in front of us… learning language that comes through patterns, context, and experience.

Just because something is different doesn’t make it wrong. There’s so much beauty in the different.

So join the scripts. Engage in the communication… There’s so much to learn here.

04/22/2026

Upcoming Webinar Airing Thursday, April 30, 2026 from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm ET In this webinar, you'll learn how to recognize and respond to depression symptoms in autistic teens from our expert presenter, Sara Rodrigues, DSW, LICSW. We'll explore practical strategies for assessment and treatment that....

04/22/2026

You don’t have to figure it out alone.

I’ve Been There is a free, one-hour Zoom conversation where young adults with disabilities share what life after high school really looks like—honest, unfiltered, and real.

🗓 April 28 | 6:00–7:00 PM
💻 Virtual (Zoom)

Come listen, ask questions, and connect with others on a similar journey.

Register today: https://fcsn.org/event/ive-been-there-series/2026-04-28/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign&utm_content=ap_cn92ykmbup

04/21/2026

5:00 - little kids with backpacks bigger than they are
6:00 - middle schoolers figuring everything out
7:00 - teenagers pretending to be too cool for this (but secretly loving it)
8:00 - adults who always say,
“I wish I did this when I was a kid”

Every night at New Bedford Music Academy looks a little bit like this.
Different ages.
Different stages.
Different reasons for being here.
Same outcome:
People finding something they didn’t know they needed.
Music school is kind of a strange, wonderful place.
It’s a tiny version of the whole world in one building.
And honestly… we wouldn’t trade it for anything.

If you’ve ever thought about lessons for your child (or yourself), this is your sign to start. Call/text us at 774-770-4587 or email us at info@newbedfordmusicacademy.com

Let's Make MUSIC! 🎶

04/20/2026

Making a splash at Silver Stone Castle! 🐉💦