ABOUT US
OUR MISSION
Riley ABA & Autism Center, LLC is an ethical organization committed to providing high quality, individualized therapeutic services based on the science and principles of applied behavior analysis to children diagnosed with autism and their families. We believe in maintaining a positive, therapeutic environment, while continuously promoting a fun, enriching culture for all Riley ABA employees.
MEET OUR CLINICAL TEAM
Sara Riley
- Owner
- Board Certified Behavior Analyst
- Licensed Behavior Analyst
- Licensed Professional Counselor
Sara is a life-long Kansas City resident. She grew up in the northland, graduated with her Bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Missouri- Kansas City and obtained her Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling from Mid-America Nazarene University.
Sara is currently involved in New Direction's Autism Provider Advisory Committee. Sara is also a member of the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, their daughter, dog, and friends and family. Sara also enjoys eating at all of the great restaurants that Kansas City has to offer and being a self-proclaimed "foodie".
Alex Anderson
- Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Alex is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, licensed to practice in the state of Missouri. She was born and raised in the sunflower state of Kansas City, Kansas. During her undergrad, she studied at Kansas State University and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work. Alex obtained a Master’s degree from Florida Institute of Technology, in Behavior Analysis.
Prior to becoming Board Certified, she worked as a Registered Behavior Technician. Alex implemented ABA services to children and adolescents, diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). She aspires to create a positive change within the families of individuals with ASD, by applying the principles of ABA in a conceptual systematic way. Keeping in mind cultural and diverse backgrounds.
Alex considers herself an introvert but an extrovert at heart. She enjoys cooking new recipes, taking hikes, going to the farmers market and anything relaxing! She believes in applying the attitudes of ABA in every aspect of her personal and professional life.
Wendy Walker
- Board Certified Behavior Analyst
- Licensed Behavior Analyst
Alex Grant
- Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst
Sprinkle Riley
- Riley ABA Resident Mascot
Janet Walker Downing
- Board Certified Behavior Analyst
- Licensed Behavior Analyst
Janet started her formal education at the University of Kansas, receiving her Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and Health. She then pursued a master’s in library science from the University of Missouri. Midway through the program, Janet became a stay-at-home mom for her two children. Choosing to be a full-time parent, Janet left the master’s program with a certification to teach Library Science. Once returning to the education field, Janet worked as a teacher’s assistant in a special education classroom and a teacher in a special education self-contained classroom. Feeling the need to expand her educational experience, Janet completed the master’s program in autism from Missouri Western State University. Janet completed the behavior analysis program through the Florida Institute of Technology and has been a Board Certified Behavior Analysist for seven years.
Janet loves to hike in the woods, hanging out with her grandchildren, exploring all the arts that Kansas City has to offer, traveling and looking for the positive in every day.
Meghan Hinemeyer
- Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst
Meghan received her bachelor’s degree from Lipscomb University in Psychology with a minor in Nutrition. Meg completed the assistant behavior analyst program at the Florida Institute of Technology and has been certified and licensed for 6 years.
Meg enjoys being outdoors with her 2 children, eating the finer things in life such as chips and salsa, and hanging out with her family.
ABOUT ABA
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy is the most researched and empirically supported treatment for children and adolescents diagnosed with autism. The majority of the research in behavior analysis has been conducted with children and adolescents diagnosed with ASD, however research has indicated successful outcomes with individuals with other developmental disabilities.
ABA is a scientific, evidence-based practice that strives to understand and improve socially significant behaviors. ABA examines the interactions between people and their environment to determine the effects that an environment has on a person’s behavior (“why” a behavior occurs). In clinical practice, ABA is used to teach new skills, improve performance in already acquired skills, and decrease unwanted and challenging behaviors. An ABA program targets specific developmental areas such as:
Attending skills
Imitative skills
Fine motor and gross motor skills
Language skills
Conversation skills
Functional play
Functional skills/Self-help skills
Social skills
Toileting skills
Challenging behaviors