In two short decades, the city has gone from having very little support for children with Autism to having several providers to choose from. But not all ABA programs are the same. 

Children’s Autism Center stands above the rest as a specialized center that has constantly adapting to the needs of their community. We pride ourselves on partnering with our families to help teach foundational skills needed of our children to become capable, life-long learners by providing an enriched environment conductive to bringing meaningful growth and change.

When providing services we always keep 3 words in mind- kindness, compassion, and acceptance. These three values drive everything we do and are crucial to the positive outcomes for our kids and the development of our staff.

Children’s Autism Center Executive Team

Courtney Wright

Courtney Wright, M.Ed., JD, BCBA, LBA

CEO, General Counsel

Courtney currently serves as CEO and General Counsel at Children’s Autism Center. Courtney came to CAC in December 2012 after leaving her position as partner at a law firm in Dallas. After doing a great deal of volunteer work for autism awareness in Dallas and being inspired by her mother, Phyllis, Courtney decided to make a career change to work with children with Autism. She went back to school and became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in 2014. Courtney has experience with children of all ages diagnosed with ASD. Prior to working at CAC, Courtney had extensive legal experience in the insurance industry, something which she now uses to help families navigate the insurance process.

Courtney received a Bachelor of Arts from Texas Tech University, Juris Doctorate from Baylor School of Law, and a Masters of Education from University of Missouri. Courtney enjoys spending time with her husband, David, and their two boys, Charlie and Jamie.

Laura Saldana

Laura Saldana, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA

Chief Clinical Officer 

Laura L. Saldana is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst who began working with children with Autism in 2004 while receiving her BA in Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin. She went on to receive her Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Special Education with a concentration in Autism and Developmental Disabilities from the University of Texas at Austin. Utilizing the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis & Skinner’s Verbal Behavior, Laura has successfully designed and developed many programs for the home, school, community, and clinical settings. Laura discovered her passion for teaching and training others when she worked as an Academic Associate, teaching graduate level coursework in Behavior Analysis

Laura has years of experience working with children of all ages, but specifically has extensive training in working with children 18 months to 10 years of age. She specializes in intensive early childhood programs with an emphasis in language development with both verbal and non-verbal children. In addition to designing programs, Laura has been certified in a range of specializations including the acclaimed Handwriting Without Tears and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2). When she is not working. Laura enjoys traveling and spending quality time with her husband Oscar and their three children.

Phyllis Sample, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA

Founder 

Phyllis Sample has over 25 years of experience working with children with Developmental Disabilities and Autism. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Speech Pathology from Texas Christian University and her Master’s degree in Early Childhood Special Education with a concentration in Autism and Developmental Disabilities from the University of Texas at Austin. She has worked in both the public and private sector of education as a Speech Pathologist and PPCD teacher. After leaving the school system to raise her children, Phyllis returned to the field of Early Childhood to embrace Autism and Applied Behavior Analysis.

In 2005, Phyllis moved to Round Rock, as co-director of the Autism program at Bluebonnet Trails MHMR which she helped to create. Recognizing the need and having the desire to further serve the Early Childhood Autism population in Williamson County, she started developed Children’s Autism Center in the Fall of 2008.