Dr. Deija McLean

Dr. Deija McLean is a Licensed Psychologist and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with extensive training and expertise in serving individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and related neurodevelopmental conditions. She earned her Ph.D. in School Psychology from the University of Missouri, with a focus in Applied Behavior Analysis. Dr. McLean’s dissertation involved evaluating predictors of self-injurious behaviors and aggression displayed by children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

She completed an American Psychological Association (APA)-accredited predoctoral internship at the Kennedy Krieger Institute where she provided outpatient behavioral services to children and adolescents with developmental disabilities who exhibited severe challenging behaviors. Dr. McLean completed her postdoctoral fellowship at Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital where she conducted diagnostic evaluations for those with suspected neurodevelopmental conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder and provided behavior therapy services to support skill acquisition and reduction of challenging behaviors.

Dr. McLean previously served as a Clinical Assistant Professor within the Behavior Analysis and Therapy program at Southern Illinois University where she specialized in teaching courses related to neurodevelopmental conditions and behavior analytic procedures and supervised graduate student research
projects. She has co-authored journal publications related to treating insomnia in children with Autism, effective emotional and behavioral interventions in school settings, influences of teacher burnout and self-efficacy, and the utility of school psychologists as mental health providers. Dr. McLean’s clinical passions include connecting families with services and resources, supporting families in improving quality of life, and collaborating with other service providers.