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

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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".  

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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. 

 
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Wendy Walker

  • Board Certified Behavior Analyst
  • Licensed Behavior Analyst
Wendy and her four siblings were raised in the Kansas City northland and continue to reside in Missouri.  She received her Bachelor's degree in sociology from William Jewell College and obtained her Master's degree in Professional Behavior Analysis from Florida Institute of Technology with honors.  Wendy is also a graduate school professor within the School of Behavior Analysis at Florida Institute of Technology.
 
Wendy is currently a member of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, Missouri Association of Behavior Analysis, Association for Behavior Analysis International, Association of Professional Behavior Analysts and The OBM Network.
 
Wendy enjoys spending time with her family, reading about world history, international travel, cooking, teaching about the science and application of Applied Behavior Analysis, and most importantly, helping kids and families meet their greatest potential!
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Alex Grant

  • Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst
Alex is a life-long Kansas City, MO resident, growing up in the Northland and graduating with her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Northwest Missouri State University. She earned her Master's in Sport & Exercise Psychology from Northwest Missouri State as well before continuing her education at Bowling Green State University, completing a graduate certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis. She became a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) in April of 2023 and is excited to continue learning in the field of ABA. 
 
Alex enjoys reading, spending time with her family and her cats, and watching the children she works with each day learn and grow. She recently moved into her first home with her twin sister and is excited to work on getting her house in order and decorating! 
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  • Riley ABA Resident Mascot
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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.

 
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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