Meet our Team
The staff at Children’s Autism Center is a huge reason why our clients are so successful. Below you will find our team of directors, behavior analysts, and behavior therapists who help us provide the absolute best care for our clients and their families.
Phyllis Sample, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA – Executive Director, Founder
Phyllis Sample has over 20 years 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, where as co-director of the Autism program at Bluebonnet Trails MHMR she helped to create their autism program. Recognizing the need and having the desire to further serve the early childhood autism population in Williamson County, she independently developed Children’s Autism Center in the Fall of 2008.
Courtney Wright, M.Ed., JD, BCBA, LBA – CEO; General Counsel
Courtney serves as CEO and General Counsel at CAC, as well as a behavior analyst. Courtney came to CAC in December 2012 after leaving her position as partner in a Dallas law firm. 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 to obtain a Master of Education 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 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, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA – Clinical Director
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. Laura has been leading intensive interventions for children with autism since 2007 when she became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Utilizing the principles of applied behavior analysis and 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 through extensive work with non-verbal children. In addition to designing programs, Laura has been certified in a range of specializations including the acclaimed Handwriting Without Tears. When she is not working. Laura enjoys traveling and spending quality time with her husband Oscar and their three children.
Sumaiya Moledina, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA – Behavior Analyst
Sumaiya is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Houston and a Master’s degree in Special Education with a concentration in Autism and Developmental Disabilities from the University of Texas at Austin. Sumaiya came to CAC as a behavior therapist during her practicum and went through the Apprentice program. She is interested in early intervention programs with an emphasis in language development.
During her free time she enjoys hiking and exporting the city for local spots.
Antronette Little, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA – Behavior Analyst; Elementary Classroom Teacher
Antronette has a master’s degree in education from Lamar University and an undergraduate degree in social work from Southwest Texas / Texas State. Antronette worked at CAC part-time during her summers off as a teacher and fell in love with ABA. Antronette decided to join CAC full-time and leave public education with over 6 years of experience as special education teacher. Prior to teaching, for nearly 5 years, she worked for a non-profit serving adults with intellectual disabilities.
Antronette lives in Pflugerville not too far from her parents, younger brother and adorable niece. Each week she looks forward to Sunday dinners with her family. Antronette enjoys random weekend road trips, eating out (love talking about new restaurants) and small DIY projects.
Izzy Riofrio, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA – New Orleans Assistant Clinical Director
Izzy, originally from Quito, Ecuador, is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst who has been working in the field for over 7 years. She began working with children with autism shortly after graduating with her bachelor’s in psychology from Tulane University in New Orleans. Her experience working 1:1 in the home as well as in the school and clinic settings inspired her to pursue a masters degree in Behavior Analysis from Florida State University. Upon graduating Izzy began working at CAC, continuing to pursue her passion in language and functional skill development.
In her free time Izzy enjoys being outdoors as much as possible, crossword puzzles, and traveling abroad.
Natalija Milutinovic, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA – Behavior Analyst
Breeze O’Briant, M.A., BCBA, LBA– Behavior Analyst
Breeze is a board certified behavior analyst who received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Houston – Clear Lake in 2001 and a master’s degree in I/O psychology from Walden University in 2005. Years later, she went on to complete the certification coursework with a focus in ABA at the University of North Texas.
Breeze has worked with children from ages 6 weeks to 18 years old in various settings, including public schools, early childhood education facilities and one-on-one care. In 2017, she decided to make a career change and began working specifically with children with autism at CAC. She is very passionate about the field of both personally and professional and constantly strives to improve the lives of the parents and children she works with. When she is not working, she loves spending time with her family, especially her husband Billy and their two daughters, Kylie and Avery.
Rowan Kenagy-Valtair, M.S., BCBA, LBA– Behavior Analyst
Rowan has been in the field of behavior analysis, with an emphasis in verbal behavior since 2012. She has a passion for working with children with ASD and has experience in home, in community, and in a clinic setting. Upon graduating with a bachelor of arts in psychology from the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, Rowan moved back to her hometown on Austin Texas in 2015 and has been with Children’s Autism Center ever since. Rowan completed the Apprenticeship Program at CAC as part of her training and graduated with a Master of Science in Behavior Analysis from Simmons University. Outside of work, you will most likely find Rowan somewhere outside going hiking, camping, or rock climbing with her husband.
Brooke Fallen, MA, BCBA– Behavior Analyst
Vanessa Johnson, B.A., RBT– Registered Behavior Technician; RBT Coordinator & Trainer
Vanessa has been providing ABA services at Children’s Autism Center for nearly ten years! She is a dedicated, strong, motivating member of our team. Vanessa received her BA in psychology from Louisiana State University where she was a member of the LSU volleyball team. Vanessa completed her ABA coursework through Florida Institute of Technology and plans to take her BCaBA exam soon. In her free time, Vanessa enjoys spending time with her husband and their two daughters, ages 8 and 4.
Katie Castro, M.A., CCC-SLP, BCaBA – Speech Language Pathologist; Assistant Behavior Analyst
Katie is a speech language pathologist who has been working in the field for over 10 years. In addition to being a speech language pathologist, Katie also received her certification as a board certified assistant behavior analyst (BCaBA). Katie grew up in Indiana and double-majored in Spanish and Audiology & Speech Sciences at Purdue University. She then moved to Texas and received a master’s degree from University of Texas at Austin in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Katie was employed for the last 8 years as a bilingual SLP, providing assessment and early intervention in the areas of speech, language, play skills, and swallowing/feeding skills. She has provided speech and language therapy to children with a variety of developmental delays and disorders. Katie completed extensive family/caregiver training and education to aid in incorporating communication and feeding strategies into their child’s home routines. She spends her free time with her family and raising two young boys.
Sarah Ralls, M.S., CCC-SLP – Speech Language Pathologist
Sarah is a speech language pathologist who has been working in the field for over 3 years and specializes in the area of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). She majored in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Tennessee. Sarah spent several years serving students in the Texas Public School system before coming to work at Children’s Autism Center. She spends her free time with her husband and their dog.