Alan Harchik, Ph.D., BCBA, is Chief Operating Officer of May Institute. He is responsible for the operation of the Institute’s service programs in autism, mental retardation, brain injury, and mental health. Dr. Harchik is a licensed psychologist, a board certified behavior analyst, and a certified teacher of children with moderate and severe special needs.

Dr. Harchik’s experience at the May Institute began in 1983 when he was a live-in group home parent and residential direct-care staff member. As May’s Senior Vice-President for Autism and Developmental Disabilities Services in Western Massachusetts and Connecticut, he later developed and managed programs for children and adults with disabilities, including a specialized day school, home-based early intervention services, outreach consultation to public schools, community group homes and apartments, and employment services.

Dr. Harchik has expertise in the areas of autism and developmental disabilities, applied behavior analysis, organizational behavior management, staff training and supervision, severe challenging behavior, choice making, self-management, and skill development.

Dr. Harchik earned his Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Kansas after graduating magna cum laude from Boston University with a degree in special education. He holds active teaching appointments at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and Westfield State College, and is an adjunct faculty member at the University of Kansas, Northeastern University, and Fitchburg State College.

He has published in a variety of professional journals and presented at numerous conferences across the United States. He writes a monthly column on autism and disabilities for the Springfield Republican newspaper and serves as an expert consultant for the Civil Rights Division of the United States Department of Justice.