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Meet Adam McElyea, BCBA
Early Learning Program Manager
Adam is a BCBA Professional with a Master’s degree in Special Education focusing on Applied Behavior Analysis and four years of experience working with children and teenagers with autism spectrum disorder.
Adam was a Lead Behavior Technician with Community Mental Health for Central Michigan and Central Michigan Care before joining PARClife. His focus as a Lead Behavior Technician was implementing direct 1 to 1 therapy with clients, while training and assisting other Behavior Technicians. Adam is now a Program Manager for PARClife Early Learning.
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"My approach to ABA therapy focuses on making learning enjoyable while fostering independence in the least restrictive way possible. I emphasize natural environment teaching, incorporating play-based interactions to build skills away from the table. However, I also recognize the value of structured learning and use table work when beneficial. While learning new skills can sometimes be frustrating, I encourage learners to see mistakes as part of the process and ensure they feel supported. I prioritize mastering prerequisite skills to independence before introducing more complex "milestone" skills, helping to prevent frustration and reduce any aversion to learning. One of the areas I am most passionate about in the field of ABA is verbal behavior, which includes both vocal and nonverbal communication, such as motor imitation, listener responding, and visual perception skills. I also strongly emphasize functional communication, ensuring learners can express their wants and needs independently and appropriately. Through this balanced approach, I create a positive and engaging environment where learners can develop confidence, independence, and meaningful communication skills."
Each Week With Early Learners
Tuesday-Thursday
In-home ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) sessions
During these in-home sessions, Clinicians will work 1 to 1 on a variety of skills that meet the learner's needs. We may work on table work skills, play (independent and social) skills, daily living skills, imitation skills, etc. In-home sessions consist of a Clinician coming to the home and implementing the therapy directly.
A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) may also attend the in-home sessions.
In-home sessions will last 4 hours and will be available from 10-2 pm or 4-8 pm. The RBT will collect data throughout the sessions to monitor progress on the learner's current goals. Goals will be determined based on the learner's initial intake assessments. In addition to working directly with the learner, parent coaching will occur with the BCBA every week.
In-home sessions will be available 10 miles from 650 Church St., Plymouth, MI 48170
Friday
ABA sessions at PARC building (650 Church St., Plymouth, MI 48170)
Friday ABA sessions take place at the Plymouth Arts and Recreation Complex (PARC) in downtown Plymouth.
These sessions will be group therapy with other learners ages 2-7 and will consist of group teaching sessions at the PARClife studio (rooms 204 & 205 within the PARC).
From this central location, groups of learners will attend different activities throughout the day. They may attend yoga, swimming, or Kindermusik (depending upon the week) and learning incorporates video modeling, art, play, and other inclusive modalities.
Friday sessions take place from 10-2pm. Each group session is set up at a 3 to 1 ratio, meaning one RBT will collect data and work with no more than 3 learners at a time. During swimming, the ratio is 1 to 1 (one RBT with one learner). Regardless of this 3:1 ratio, all of the learners and staff members will be able to interact with everyone at PARClife!
This allows our Early Learners to work on social skills, such as group play, working in a group, developing friendships, and other critical social skills.
To enhance and reinforce the work the Early Learners are doing in their group setting and to provide community and assistance for our Learner's parents we also provide Parent Training and Support in our Monthly PACT gathering. You can learn more about PACT HERE.