About

About Us

At BTS and Enhanced Play, we believe every individual deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive in an environment that recognizes and celebrates their unique strengths. We provide individualized support for both neurodivergent and neurotypical individuals from early childhood through adulthood. Our evidence-based, family-centered programs are designed to build confidence, independence, communication, and lifelong skills while supporting the unique needs of every individual and family we serve.

Our History

Beyond The Spectrum (BTS) was founded by Debra Ciliento, whose passion for serving children and families has been shaped by both her personal journey as the mother of four children with individual needs and more than 30 years of professional experience in the private and public school sectors.

Throughout her career, and especially as an Early Childhood Educator, Debra recognized that many families struggled to find comprehensive, coordinated services that addressed the whole child. Too often, parents were forced to navigate on their own through multiple providers to access speech and language therapy, reading intervention, social skills training, sensory support, behavioral services, kindergarten readiness programs and much more. She envisioned a platform where these services could work together under one philosophy, providing individualized, collaborative care while empowering families every step of the way.

As her career evolved, Debra worked with individuals across the entire lifespan from preschool-aged children through adults in 21+ transition programs serving individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Concluding her public school career supporting adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities further reinforced what she had witnessed throughout her years in early childhood education: every individual deserves opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive through programs that meet them where they are and to provide much needed to support for families. 

This lifelong experience strengthened Debra's belief that meaningful support should not be defined by age, diagnosis, or ability. Whether an individual is neurodivergent or neurotypical, every person has unique strengths, goals, and potential that deserve to be recognized and nurtured through individualized, evidence-based services.

Today, BTS continues to fulfill that vision by providing occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, reading intervention, social skills and play groups, parent and professional training, and other individualized programs designed to help children, adolescents, adults, and their families build confidence, independence, and lifelong success.

Our Approach

Our philosophy is rooted in natural, meaningful learning experiences that promote lasting success. Rather than relying solely on structured drills, we teach practical skills within everyday activities where learning happens most naturally.

Through Incidental Teaching, we encourage communication, problem-solving, and social learning into daily routines, transforming ordinary moments into valuable learning opportunities. We also incorporate Enhanced Play, a child-led approach that uses each individual's interests and preferred activities to increase motivation, encourage authentic social interactions, and make learning enjoyable.

By teaching skills in natural environments, individuals are better able to apply what they learn across home, school, community, and social settings. This approach promotes greater independence, increased motivation, and meaningful skill generalization that supports lifelong success.