Private School for Children With Autism

Academy of TLC (Elementary School):

Academy of TLC (Middle School):

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- Founded in 1959

- Special Education Teachers

- ECDS- Early Childhood Developmental Specialist

Hours:

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Give Your Child the Personalized Education They Deserve

The Academy is a division of The Learning Center of Northeast Arkansas, Inc. The Academy of TLC is a private school devoted to providing educational and therapeutic services for children with autism and other developmental disabilities.


The Academy was founded to address the need for an alternative educational environment for children with autism. Many of the children diagnosed with autism at TLC receive intense ABA therapy.


In a traditional school setting, this type of therapy is either not provided, or it is to a much lower degree than the child currently gets.


Many parents want to continue this type of therapy and The Academy will be able to provide that service for the child as well as their educational services.


The Academy has certified special education teachers who provide educational services while also developing and implementing each child’s Individual Treatment Plan.


Each child’s plan will include an ABA therapy plan developed and implemented by BCBAs and RBTs. The Academy will start the first year with kindergarten-only students and will add additional grades each year thereafter. The Academy is currently serving children ages 5-12.


Call The Learning Center today to discuss enrolling your child in a specialized curriculum at The Academy!

Contact Our Offices & Schools

Administration Offices

(870) 666-5155


Preschool & Main Campus

(870) 932-4245


Academy of TLC (Elementary School)

(870) 932-0484


Academy of TLC (Middle School)

(870) 666-5155


Adult Campus

(870) 932-3232


Puryear Center

(870) 932-0200


Diagnostic & Resources

(870) 336-0603


The Academy's Mission Statement

The mission of The Academy is to provide research-based therapy, education, and experiences for children with autism to help them develop life-sustaining skills to live a productive and fulfilling life.


1. We provide a full-time ABA Therapy program supervised by Board Certified Behavior Analysts. 


2. A Registered Behavior Technician will provide an individualized ABA therapy program tailored to your child’s goals and individual plans. 


3. Each child has an individualized program including an academic curriculum to prepare them for a traditional school setting taught by a certified teacher. 

  • Our Services

    ABA Therapy 


    Techniques used include: 


    • Pivotal Response Training
    • Natural Environment Training
    • Verbal Behavior Training through Discrete Trial Training (DTT)
    • Social skills training
    • Parent training
    • Modeling
    • AAC device usage for communication, transitional skills, generalization skills, equivalence relations, and transformation techniques when appropriate 

    Speech Therapy 


    Our speech therapists work as a team with other therapists, the family, and physicians to help your child achieve their full potential. 


    Occupational Therapy


    Therapy focuses on the use of everyday actives that list independence. They address activities such as play, eating, dressing, and self-care through strengthening, adaptions, and sensory regulation. 


    Physical Therapy


    Therapy focuses on improving range of motion, strength, flexibility, and movement patterns.


    Academic Curriculum 


    The Academy will develop an Individualized Education Plan that includes goals for grade-level academic skills working toward attaining Arkansas Academic Standards.


  • Program Eligibility

    Children with developmental delays or diagnosis of Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, etc. are eligible to apply for the program. The program is currently serving children who are aged five to twelve.


    Along with the application, please provide copies of the most recent psychological evaluation, speech/language evaluation, occupation therapy, physical therapy, and developmental evaluation. 

  • Location and Hours

    The Academy

    2806 – A Fox Meadow Lane

    Jonesboro, AR 72404

    (870)-932-4245 Ext. 9309


    Hours 

    8:00 AM to 3:00 PM


    For more information please contact Lynn Cooper at [email protected]

Meet the Staff

Julie Butterworth

Caryn Parrott

Director of The Academy

Malisha McCray

Jessica Drum

Clinical Coordinator

Dena McLaughlin

Lucretia Beecham

Special Education Teacher

Melinda Jumper

Christina Crump

Special Education Teacher

Ashley McHalffey

Melaney Wilchie

Lead Registered Behavior Technician

Alexa Mackey

Juanita Holmes

Registered Behavior Technician

Clinical Coordinator

Sharmaria Debose

Macie Crockett

Registered Behavior Technician

Mia Abrahm

Mia Abrahm

Registered Behavior Technician

Jennifer Maxwell

Meagan Cole

Registered Behavior Technician

Jenell Light

Brianna Painter

Behavior Technician

Sharlon McClinic

Bradley Ray

Registered Behavior Technician

Jenell Light

Kaidaija Perry

Registered Behavior Technician

Sharlon McClinic

Grace Ireland

Paraprofessional

Alexis Bennett

Alexis Bennett

Paraprofessional

Jakaria Lockhart

Pat Garrett

Paraprofessional

Kristen Wendel

Kristen Wendel

Speech Language Pathologist

Hannah Brands

Hannah Brands

Occupational Therapist

Carrie Taylor

Jakaria Lockhart

Speech Language Pathologist

Christina Crump

Sylvia Johnson

Paraprofessional

Lucretia Beecham

Josie Widick

Paraprofessional

Hannah Cantrell

Quantaria Anderson

Behavior Technician

Kimberly Morgan – Paraprofessional

Kimberly Morgan

Paraprofessional

Debbie McHalffey – Paraprofessional

Debbie McHalffey

Paraprofessional

Cryshana Hodges – Behavior Technician

Cryshana Hodges

Behavior Technician

Zoelyn Ellis

Lashea Robinson

Behavior Technician

Jordyn Pirtle

Jordyn Pirtle

Paraprofessional

Carson Curran

Carson Curran

Behavior Technician

Melaney Wilchie

Melissa Bradley

Teacher

Cameron Lamb

Cameron Lamb

Behavior Technician

Emily McCarty

Emily McCarty

Board Certified Behavior Analyst

Tiffany Ragland

Tiffany Ragland

Registered Behavior Technician

Meagan Nichols

Meagan Nichols

Behavior Technician

Kalianna Hill

Kalianna Hill

Behavior Technician

Krystalon Johnson

Westlely Johnson

Behavior Technician

Ashley Vega

Ashley Vega

Registered Behavior Technician

Lorena Hoggard

Lorena Hoggard

Registered Behavior Technician

Melinda Jumper

Melinda Jumper

Registered Behavior Technician

Dena McLaughlin

Dena McLaughlin

Registered Behavior Technician

Alexandra Schoon

Meghan McGee

Behavior Technician

Bran'Dajah Johnson

Bran'Dajah Johnson

 Behavior Technician

Lesley Franco

Lesley Franco

Behavior Technician

Tikiyah Hilliard

Tikiyah Hilliard

Registered Behavior Technician

Alexus Franklin

Alexus Franklin

Paraprofessional

Jaelyn Vargas, BCBA

Jaelyn Vargas

BCBA

Georgia Pratt, BCBA

Georgia Pratt

BCBA

Learn More About

The Learning Center of Northeast Arkansas, Inc

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