Adam Bennett, PhD, BCBA-D

Dr. Bennett began his career in Behavior Analysis as an experimental psychologist, studying both animal and human behavioral pharmacology. After obtaining his MA from the University of North Carolina Wilmington and Doctorate from Western Michigan University, he studied as a postdoctoral assistant in the Laboratory of Human Behavioral Pharmacology in the University of Kentucky’s College of Medicine, examining the efficacy of pharmacotherapies for treatment of methamphetamine, alcohol, and cocaine abuse. Following a brief college teaching stint, he realized the need to see the immediate impact and outcomes of his work and made a career change to seek out these reinforcers.

In September of 2015, Dr. Bennett joined Western Michigan University’s Autism Center of Excellence and, under the mentorship of Dr. Stephanie Peterson, helped facilitate the expansion of autism services at the University. The team at WMU has been responsible for the creation and expansion of several critical services on WMU’s campus, including a diagnostic center, supports for college students with autism, an online video resource of expert interviews for families and practitioners, supports for young adults interested in gaining paid employment, and an ABA treatment clinic for individuals diagnosed with autism.

Currently, Dr. Bennett serves as Director of Operations and part-time Clinical Supervisor at Western Michigan University’s Kalamazoo Autism Center in Kalamazoo, Michigan. His clinical, research, and training interests include assessment and treatment of severe problem behavior and the training of future practitioners in the center’s Masters-level practicum. Dr. Bennett also serves on the Board of Directors for the Michigan Behavior Analysis Providers Association (MiBAP), whose mission is to promote access to the science of applied behavior analysis (ABA) through advocacy, education, and quality practices. He is passionate about increasing access to quality services, assisting families through the complexities and stressors of the diagnostic process, and ensuring the Kalamazoo Autism Center establishes and maintains good collaborative relationships with area schools and other professionals.