Psychology practicum making strides at WMU Senior Day Services

For the past year, Psychology faculty and graduate students have partnered with WMU Senior Day Services to provide a practicum site for its students. Jon Baker, Ph.D. and doctoral student, Brian MacNeill have spent much of the semester training psychology students to work with older adults with cognitive impairments while providing supports for individuals attending the program and staff training.

Baker (L) and MacNeill (R)

During the spring semester, the team supported participants with challenging behaviors by reducing inappropriate behavior and increasing appropriate behavior, allowing them to remain in the program. Their intervention is critical in ensuring program enrollment and avoiding dismissal.

In addition to working with participants, the team also hosted and trained undergraduate psychology students to provide clinical services for older adults with disabilities. For many, this is their first experience working with adults with disabilities.

MacNeill also worked individually with participants diagnosed with aphasia on language rehabilitation by capitalizing on consumer strengths to address their deficits. 

This summer the team will be piloting a comprehensive training and supervision program that focuses on the development of clinical skills for undergraduate and graduate students seeking the credentials for Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst and Board Certified Behavior Analyst. The team will also be developing caregiver training and assisting with the implementation and evaluation of the Mind Aerobics™ curriculum.