Where Oaken gets its roots
Oaken’s name has Irish roots, just like the family behind our practice.
Bog oak (Irish oak) is wood that spent thousands of years in Irish peat and came out dense, dark, and strong. It wasn’t rushed. It was held steady until it became something lasting.
That’s how we approach ABA. For your child, we build skills at their own pace, in the places they actually live and learn, with respect for their comfort and choices. For you, we offer coaching and support so you feel confident carrying that progress into everyday life. When children and families grow together, the progress lasts.
“The learner is always right.”
Every moment of a session is a chance to learn, and we look closely at each one. Is your child ready for what we’re asking? If not, we change how we teach so it meets your child right where they are. If they are ready, we offer a gentle nudge just past what feels easy, because that’s where growth happens and goals get reached. Either way, if learning gets stuck, it’s the teaching that changes, never your child.
Ian McGarvey, M.A., BCBA, LBA
Founder
Ian has spent 15 years in ABA, 13 of them as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. He came to the field after falling in love with working with kids with autism, and the science has shaped his practice ever since. He is a Licensed Behavior Analyst in Michigan, Georgia, and Texas.
He has held clinical and operational leadership roles, guided many practicum students to become BCBAs, and trained teams in assent-based care, compassionate care, and Universal Protocols. He has presented research at conferences on reducing problem behavior and improving staff performance, and he teaches ABA at the university level.
