Centria acquires Applied Behavioral Associates in Massachusetts

Centria Autism Services, a Michigan-based provider of applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy for children with autism and their families in nine states, announced it has acquired Applied Behavioral Associates in Marlborough, Mass. Applied provides ABA home and community-based services, as well as outpatient behavioral health services, to children and families in Boston’s Metrowest area. Applied executive director Barbara S. Natoli, LMHC, BCBA, LBA, who founded the company in 1988, announced plans to retire earlier this year. Faced with the choice of shuttering Applied or finding a buyer for the company, she entered negotiations with Centria, according to a news release. Applied will operate under the name Applied Behavioral Associates, LLC, a Centria Healthcare company, and a new center-based program adjacent to the Marlborough office is planned.