Meet the team

We are committed to reach every child and adult in a continuum of settings through a strong community outreach program and on-site service provision. We provide an on-going commitment to research and data collection to promote evidence-based best practice methods for the treatment and intervention services we provide. In addition, we conduct education and training for health care providers, parents, and school district staff in all applicable areas. Northwest Autism Center also works with local universities and colleges to provide student internships and practicum experiences, and with area businesses to promote appropriate supported employment opportunities. Like the individuals and families we serve, we collaborate with our neighbors, becoming an essential component in building a healthy community. If you’d like to join the team, check out our current openings!

Clinical staff

Shelby

Hi! I am Shelby Vigue, and I am the Clinical Supervisor at Northwest Autism Center. I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at the University of Washington—Go DAWGS!—and my Master’s degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis at Capella University. I have been working in ABA since 2017 and became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in 2020. I initially fell into the field of ABA without knowing much about it, but I quickly fell in love with seeing all of the progress we were able to make with children and their families. Northwest Autism Center has created a community-based approach through our multidisciplinary team that is unlike any other place I have worked. I have truly enjoyed learning how to better support our clients through different perspectives. Outside of work, I enjoy reading, playing board games, and spending time with my husband and our fur babies!

Sam

Hello, I am Sam. I am a BCBA/LBA at Northwest Autism Center with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Criminal Justice and a Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis, along with my BCBA certification. I began working in the field in 2020, supporting families in home settings during the shutdown, and have now spent six years working with individuals with autism and developmental disabilities. I am passionate about helping people of all ages build communication and social skills that foster confidence, connection, and joy, and I find it especially rewarding to support children as they discover their voices and personalities. I truly enjoy working with the diverse population at Northwest Autism Center and watching the meaningful growth our clients make through play-based and social-based therapy. Outside of work, I enjoy baking and reading.

Joey

Hi my name is Joey. I am a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and currently manage the North Clinic’s Early Intervention Program. I earned my undergraduate degree in Child Developmental Psychology and my master’s degree in Behavioral Psychology with a focus in Applied Behavior Analysis. During my undergraduate studies, I focused on autism diagnosis and intervention, and I find working in the field of autism both rewarding and intellectually engaging.
I value helping individuals better understand the social aspects of the world around them so they are equipped to navigate day-to-day life with greater independence and confidence. I have worked in youth services for over a decade, with the past six years dedicated specifically to Applied Behavior Analysis.
I enjoy being part of NAC because of the organization’s commitment to serving individuals and families in the Spokane community and its strong emphasis on ethical, client-centered care.
Outside of the clinic, I enjoy staying active and motivating others. I am also a certified personal trainer and spin instructor, where I continue my passion for encouraging people to reach their goals.

Amber

Hello, I’m Amber, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst at Northwest Autism Center. I have a background in criminology and applied behavior analysis, earning my degrees from Northern Arizona University and Capella University. I got into the autism field through my sister, and after gaining experience, I realized how much I enjoy supporting children and helping them grow, which led me to become a BCBA. I’m especially passionate about early childhood intervention, focusing on building communication and daily living skills that help kids thrive. I’ve been in the field since 2020, starting as a behavior technician and working my way up. At Northwest Autism Center, I love the opportunity to support a diverse group of clients. Outside of work, I enjoy traveling (I’ve visited 12 countries!), spending time outdoors, and hanging out with my dog.

Sharlene

Hi My name is Sharlene. I am a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with over eight years of experience supporting children with autism and developmental disabilities across a variety of settings, including in-home, clinic, community, and hospital environments. I have worked closely with interdisciplinary teams to provide behavioral consultation, develop individualized support plans, and train caregivers and staff to implement effective, compassionate strategies that support meaningful skill development and improved quality of life.

My clinical interests include behavior reduction with a strong focus on emotional regulation, assent-based treatment, and trauma-informed care. I am passionate about creating supports that are respectful, collaborative, and responsive to each child’s unique needs while helping families and teams feel confident in the strategies they use. Outside of work, I enjoy creative art and DIY projects, as well as spending time in nature on long walks.

Maddy

My name is Madison (Maddy) Worley and I am the Licensed Assistant Behavior Analyst (LABA) here at Northwest Autism Center! I have my Bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Health Science with an emphasis in Childhood and Adolescent Disorders from Grand Canyon University. I completed my Master’s Degree in Special Education with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis from the University of Arizona. I currently have my Certified Behavior Technician (CBT) credential as well as my LABA credential. While working as a Paraprofessional in Denver, I had the opportunity to work with a student in kindergarten that has a diagnosis of Autism. I loved working one on one with him and helping him each day, and it inspired me to look for jobs similar when I moved to Spokane in 2022. I am passionate about working with clients in communication and independent living skills in early childhood and school-aged children. The most rewarding and enjoyable part of working at NAC is seeing fruit of the child’s hard work and growth in skills and communication and just seeing them become more confident in themselves! In my free time I love to be outside, reading, and just being with friends and family!

Occupational Therapists

Rachel

Hello, my name is Rachel and I’m an Occupational Therapist at Northwest Autism Center. I earned my Bachelor of Social Science from Washington State University in 2018 and my Master of Occupational Therapy from Eastern Washington University in 2021. I’ve been working in the autism and developmental disabilities field since 2022.

I’ve always loved working with children and helping them access the supports they need to enjoy the same opportunities as everyone else. Being neurodiverse myself has helped me relate to clients and advocate for them effectively. I’m especially passionate about using a neurodiversity-affirming, play-based approach to support sensory processing and integration, independence in self-care, and functional communication and self-advocacy.

What I enjoy most about working at Northwest Autism Center is the collaborative environment. Co-treatments and quick communication with other providers help us give the best support possible to our clients.

I’m a late in life neurodiverse adult married to an early in life neurodiverse adult, and when I’m not working I’m likely home cuddling my three cats, reading a good book, building LEGOs, or baking.

Sierra

I’m Sierra and an Occupational Therapist at Northwest Autism Center with a Bachelor of Arts in Therapeutic Recreation and a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy.

Growing up, I had a close relationship with a family member who experienced autism which profoundly shaped my perspective and purpose. I witnessed both the challenges and the strengths that come with developmental differences, as well as the impact that patience, understanding, and the right support can make in a child’s life. Those experiences instilled in me a deep sense of empathy and a desire to advocate for children who may struggle with similar experiences.

I’m especially passionate about sensory integration, social-emotional skills, and play skills. I’ve been working with children with autism for about two years, and I truly value the collaborative, team-based approach at Northwest Autism Center. Being able to communicate and align goals with colleagues across disciplines ensures each child receives well-rounded support that makes a meaningful difference in their life.

Outside of work, I love spending time outdoors with family and friends (hiking, skiing, surfing, playing beach volleyball, camping, or just soaking up the sun). If the sun is out, so am I!

Speech Therapists

Lauren

Hi, I’m Lauren, a Speech-Language Pathologist at Northwest Autism Center. I earned both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Communication Sciences & Disorders from Eastern Washington University and hold my ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC). I’ve also completed certifications in Sensory Integration, SPEAK OUT!®, and am part of the LEND program through the University of Washington.

I’ve been working in the autism field for about five years. I originally worked in outpatient pediatrics and noticed that many children on my caseload were on the spectrum, though it was not an intentional “specialty” of mine. Working with the ASD population, paired with my passion for AAC, inspired me to continue working in early intervention for children with high communication needs, and advocating for AAC access for everyone (from no-tech to high-tech and everything in-between).

What I love most about working at Northwest Autism Center is the child-centered, empathetic approach. I love that many of our therapists and technicians here have lived-experiences about living in an able-bodied world. These experiences drive an empathic approach and understanding to children and families of individuals with disabilities, and give a sense of community for all of us who work here.

Outside of work, I’m a neurodivergent adult, married to another neurodivergent adult, with a neurodivergent child. I also have four cats, a dog, and still manage to find time to collect trinkets, go to yoga, and read on my Kindle.

Taytum

Hi, I’m Taytum, a Speech-Language Pathologist at Northwest Autism Center. I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and my Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders, both from Eastern Washington University, and I hold my ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC). I’ve been working in the autism and developmental disabilities field for five years.

Following graduate school I began noticing the highest need for new professionals in the Autism field. There is a constant shift in our approaches and our understanding of what Autism actually is and how we can best help improve communication. I love challenging myself to be a better SLP than I was the day before, and every day is different when working with the ASD community. Focusing on how to best help my clients and their families navigate alternate communication methods and create meaningful long-term progress focusing on strengths rather than deficits led me naturally to this field.

I’m especially passionate about child-led, play-based approaches, neurodiversity-informed care, and Augmentative and Alternative Communication.

What I enjoy most about working at Northwest Autism Center is the strong sense of community. Everyone here is dedicated, compassionate, and collaborative, which makes it easy to provide comprehensive, individualized care. I also appreciate the support I get in using child-led approaches and the opportunities for continued learning to improve my services.

Outside of work, I love spending time with my friends, family, and my two large dogs. We’re usually outdoors at the beach, in the yard, or reading together.