Staff

Pamela Ely, M.S. CCC-SLP

Pamela is the Chief Executive Officer/Owner of the center, who together with Elsa Abele conceptualized the idea of a center-based holistic approach to social communication development that meets the varied needs of our clients. Pamela is a Speech-Language Pathologist with over 10 years experience in the public schools as well as within more clinical settings. She is a consultant/specialist who interfaces with several school systems in the Greater Boston area. Pamela works collaboratively with school personnel to enhance their knowledge and understanding of autism spectrum disorders. She trains staff in the use of various diagnostic protocols and treatment techniques for identifying and facilitating language processing and social-communication issues for all students. Pamela recently participated in the Social Thinking™ Mentor Training Program in San Jose, CA.

Trevor Taylor, OTR/L

Trevor has worked with for the practice since the winter of 2004. He holds a master's degree in Occupational Therapy. Trevor currently works in the Hopkinton Public School System and brings varied experiences to the practice. He has worked in an adolescent and adult psychiatric facility, an outpatient rehabilitation center, and with several group home centers.

Sean Sweeney, M.S., M.Ed., CCC-SLP

Sean has worked for the practice since the winter of 2003. He received master's degrees in Speech-Language Pathology from Boston University and in Curriculum and Instructional Technology from Framingham State College. He works in the Newton Public School System. Sean has presented at the ASHA national conventions on topics involving technology integration and service delivery and is the author of the blog SpeechTechie. Sean recently traveled to San Francisco, CA to present on Web Tools that can be used to develop social thinking skills at the Social Thinking Provider's Conference.

Amanda Burke, M.S. CCC-SLP

Amanda has worked for the practice since the spring of 2004. She received both her bachelor's degree in Communication Disorders and her Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology at Northeastern University. Amanda currently works in the Winthrop Public School system with elementary and middle school age students.

Bridget Mayer, M.S., Special Education Specialist

Bridget has worked for the practice since the spring of 2008 and holds a master’s degree in addition to a bachelor‘s degree in social work. She holds certifications in three fields: Moderate Disabilities (preK-8), Moderate Disabilities (5-12) and Elementary (1-6). Bridget has worked as a special education teacher for students who present with language and learning disabilities, including social-cognitive deficits, since 2002.

Marchella Lee, M.S. CCC-SLP

Marchella joined the practice in July 2008. She earned her master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology at Emerson College. She previously worked in the Westwood Public Schools at the elementary level. She also consulted to Westwood's Partner Programs that were supervised by the New England Center for Children (NECC).

Amanda Dreier, MS, CCC-SLP

Amanda joined the Ely Center in March 2010. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Syracuse University and received a Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Emerson College. She has experience working in both private therapy and public school settings with school-age children with communication disabilities.

Lauren Passier, MS, CCC-SLP

Lauren is a Speech-Language Pathologist who joined the Ely Center in the Fall of 2011. She went to Lafayette College for her undergraduate degree and received her master’s degree from MGH Institute of Health Professions in Communication and Language Disorders. She worked with children ages 3-21 years at Perkins School for the Blind focusing on Total Communication prior to joining the Ely Center. She also has a background in working with the geriatric population in a rehabilitation setting. In her free time, she enjoys running, cycling, swimming, and spending time with her family and dog.

Aaron Beller, M.S.W., L.C.S.W

Aaron holds a master's degree from Simmons School of Social Work and is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). Aaron has worked with youth in various settings and capacities over the last 8+ years. He currently works in Milton Public Schools and provides in-home counseling to Boston-area youth, families, and adults through his employment at Community Services Institute. He is excited to be on staff at the Ely Center, where he has been working since the Spring of 2010.

Leslie Tsui, BA

Leslie officially took on the role of Parent Coordinator in the spring of 2010…but she has been unofficially working with parents of “quirky kids” since 2002. In her Parent Coordinator role, Leslie meets with parents to discuss and brainstorm issues related to their child(ren), provides referrals (psychologist, summer camp, etc.), leads parent education/support groups, and writes parent handouts – and she warmly welcomes other suggestions for ways to support you so please reach out to her!

http://www.leslietsui.com/

Grant Battle, BA

The newest addition to The Ely Center, Grant recently graduated from Clark University in May, 2011. He holds a B.A. in Sociology with concentrations in Economics and Urban Development. Grant has a wide variety of volunteer and employment experience, working with children and young adults as a basketball coach, soccer referee and peer mentor. In addition to working at The Ely Center, Grant is studying to become a NASM certified personal trainer, and he aspires to start his own fitness center after completing graduate school. Grant is an avid soccer fan and travel enthusiast, and is excited to join The Ely Center community.

Anique Lebel, CAGS

Anique Lebel has been working at the Ely Center since the summer of 2010 and works as a school psychologist at an elementary school on the South Shore. Her experience ranges from working with preschool aged children through young adults. Anique graduated from Union College in Schenectady, New York and completed graduate work at Tufts University, where she graduated with a Masters of Arts and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS) in School Psychology. As a part of the CAGS degree, Anique completed a 1200 internship in the Newton Public Schools working at the preschool, elementary, and middle school level. Working under a cognitive behavioral therapy model, Anique has great experience treating anxiety, depression, and aggression. As a school psychologist, Anique uses a social thinking model to work with children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, completes full cognitive and psychological evaluations, and provides consultation to both teachers and parents.

Elsa Abele, CCC-SLP

Elsa is a retired Professor of Communication Disorders from Boston University. Elsa is one of the pioneers in the treatment of individuals in the autism spectrum. Elsa continues to spend time mentoring therapists, parents, school personnel, and interested care givers of any kind, to heighten their understanding of such deficits as well as to teach best practice options and techniques for treatment.

Elsa acts as a consultant/advisor to the staff of The Ely Center, as we continue to grow and expand our services.

Olivia Martins

Olivia has grown up working at the Ely Center. She is a junior at Newton North High school. This year she has been working with three groups as an assistant, helping with activities and reinforcing the "Social Buzz." She loves the work experience, and is planning on majoring in communication disorders, or speech language pathology, once she enters college! She has gained a variety of experiences with kids by babysitting and doing community service through an organization called ASC (Athletes Serve the Community) in Newton. Olivia enjoys being with friends and family and looks forward to the start of the Red Sox next season!

Serena Accomazzi

Serena has been working at the Ely Center since the fall of 2009 and is currently a junior at Newton North High School. This year she participated in two groups as an assistant leader and is enjoying the experience! She has gained much experience with kids over the past few years through babysitting and tutoring children with learning disabilities, as well as participating in the community service organization, ASC. She is planning to pursue this type of work in college and hopes to continue her work here at the Ely Center!

Interns

Interns are generally graduate students or other professionals interested in our unique and varied treatment approaches to social skill development. 

We are fortunate at the Ely Center to be affiliated with Boston University, as a training center for speech and language pathology student interns.  These young men and women are the highest caliber graduate students who are carefully selected to complete a practicum at our center.  Graduate student interns may observe, help, or facilitate group/individual sessions and may interface with parents and caregivers.  However, at the Ely Center, a certified professional group leader will be on site and in charge of sessions at all times.