ACE - Autism Center for Enrichment - special needs living – sponsor of the month

By Maria Smietana

Michelle Hennessee Sears believes in a family-centeredapproach when treating children on the autism spectrum.“Family involvement is vital to the long-term success andgrowth of our patients,” she said. “We work with families toassess and discover the goals and skills that are of highestpriority, knowing that the family unit is what makes an ABA therapy program successful. We will create an ABA therapyprogram that will work for your child and your family.”

A native of northwest Indiana, Sears earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology at the University of Southern Indiana. After working in the mental health field for nearly a decade, she decided to pursue her master’s degree in applied behavior analysis (ABA), graduating in May of 2015. She and co-owner Kelsey Pumel opened Autism Center for Enrichment (ACE) in May of 2016. Sears became board certified in behavior analysis 18 months later.

Michelle Sears

ACE moved to its first permanent location in 2019 in Greenfield, but continues to offer services in the home and in community settings as well. Currently, ACE serves families in Hancock, Marion, Johnson, Hendricks, and Hamilton Counties. In addition to Sears and Pumel, who also holds a master’s degree and is board-certified in behavior analysis, the clinic has an analyst who holds a doctoral degree in ABA. The practice additionally employs an operations manager and trainer.

Sears encourages parents of children on the spectrum to learn as much as they can about autism, and continuously advocate for themselves and their child. “Teach others how to get into your world and the world of your child to facilitate a better understanding of the special needs community,” she advises.

A perpetual student, Sears readily shares that she is always trying to learn new techniques for working with patients, reading the latest research in the ABA field, or participating in continuing education courses. She is happy to support Special Needs Living magazine

because it brings awareness to the community and serves as a means of support for families who often find themselves in an uncertain world.

When Sears isn’t running her business, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their four children, as well as her extended family and the fur kids — two dogs and two cats. She’s also a bit of a Food Network binger when she finds herself with free time.

Business Contact Information:

ACE-Autism Center for Enrichment Michelle Hennessee Sears 190 W. Green Meadows Dr. Greenfield, IN 46140 (219) 742-2889 MichelleS@autismenrichment.com www.autismenrichment.com info@autismenrichment.com

Kelsey

We recognize that every individual with Autism is unique in terms of his or her challenges and strengths. Whether you are a family who has just received an Autism diagnosis, you have an older child in the later stages of treatment, or anything in between, ACE will create an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy program that will work for your child and your family.

IN HOME & CLINIC-BASED SERVICES In-Network With Most Insurances

www.autismenrichment.com (317) 436-7080 | info@autismenrichment.com