Joanne Sirico Bello is a behavioral therapist who works with children diagnosed with autism and related disorders. She is also the daughter of the late Tony Sirico, the actor who played Paulie Walnuts on the popular HBO series The Sopranos.
Early Life and Education
Joanne Sirico Bello was born in Staten Island, New York, as Joanne Sirico. She is one of the two children of Tony Sirico and his wife, whose name is not publicly known. She has a brother named Richard Sirico, who is also an actor.
Joanne Sirico Bello attended Susan E. Wagner High School in Staten Island, where she graduated in 1980. She then moved to South Florida, where she pursued her education in psychology and behavioral therapy.
Career and Achievements
Joanne Sirico Bello’s career began in 1994 as a volunteer in an autism unit at Nova Southeastern University in South Florida. Within two weeks, she became an assistant for students diagnosed with varying degrees of autism and related disorders.
She later obtained her certification as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) and a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA). She also completed her master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) from Florida Institute of Technology.
Joanne Sirico Bello has worked as a behavioral therapist for over 25 years, providing individualized and group therapy to children with special needs. She has also trained and supervised other therapists and educators in the field of ABA.
Joanne Sirico Bello is the founder and director of Joanne Bello Behavioral Services, a private practice that offers in-home and school-based ABA therapy to children and families in Broward County, Florida. She is also a member of the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) and the Florida Association for Behavior Analysis (FABA).
Personal Life and Family
Joanne Sirico Bello is married to Tom Bello, a businessman and a former baseball player. They have four children: two daughters and two sons. They live in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Joanne Sirico Bello is very close to her father, Tony Sirico, who passed away in 2022 at the age of 79. Tony Sirico was a famous actor who portrayed Paulie Walnuts, a wisecracking gangster, on The Sopranos. He was also known for his roles in several Woody Allen films and Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas.
Joanne Sirico Bello often shared photos and memories of her father on social media, expressing her love and admiration for him. She also attended several events and reunions with her father’s former co-stars and friends from The Sopranos.
Conclusion
Joanne Sirico Bello is a successful and compassionate behavioral therapist who has dedicated her life to helping children with special needs. She is also the daughter of a beloved and talented actor who left a lasting legacy in the entertainment industry. Joanne Sirico Bello is an inspiring example of a woman who balances her professional and personal roles with grace and passion.