LEADERSHIP TEAM

Executive Director, Owner

Pediatric Occupational Therapist                            

Clinical Director, Partner

Lead OT, Cumming  

Pediatric Occupational Therapist  

Lead Occupational Therapist, Dawsonville

Pediatric Occupational Therapist   

Supervisor of School Based Therapy 

Pediatric Occupational Therapist 

Billing Manager  

Office Manager 

Executive Director

Pediatric Occupational Therapist

Susan graduated from The Ohio State University, College of Medicine in 1994 with a degree in occupational therapy and a specialty in pediatrics. Susan moved to Georgia in 1995 after marrying her high school sweetheart and founded Wiles Therapy for Kids in 1999. She is National Board Certified in Occupational Therapy and has attended many pediatric training and continuing education courses including Handwriting Without Tears, sensory integration, sensory feeding, visual processing, dyslexia, executive functioning, astronaut training, and many more. Susan has a special interest in visual skills, executive functioning, and dyslexia.  Susan loves to help children reach their highest potential and gain independence. She lives in Cumming with her husband of 28 years and 4 dogs. They have raised two children, Sammi and Blake. Sammi is an operation manager for Amazon, and is married to Harley, and Blake is a CPA and is married to Emily.  All live in metro Atlanta. In her free time Susan enjoys spending time with her husband, kids, and her parents. She enjoys game nights, riding her bike, crafts, concerts, and tending to her indoor succulents and flowers. 

Clinical Director, Partner 

Lead OT, Cumming 

Pediatric Occupational Therapist

Kara is proud to have been with Wiles Therapy for Kids since 2017. She received her Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Utah and her Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy from Brenau University. 

Kara has been trained in the Masgutova Method (MNRI) Primitive Reflexes as well as Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Feeding Program and astronaut training. She is passionate about sensory integration, feeding, and reflex integration. In her free time, Kara enjoys spending time with friends and family, shopping, and reading. 

Lead Occupational Therapist, Dawsonville 

Pediatric Occupational Therapist

Maggie earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Young Harris College and her Master of Health Science in Occupational Therapy at Augusta University. Maggie lives in Dawsonville with her husband. She enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends, and cheering for the Atlanta Braves. Maggie is excited to help open the Dawsonville location and be the Lead OT in Dawsonville. 

Supervisor of School Based Therapy  

Pediatric Occupational Therapist

Lynette Heyward, MS, OTR/L, Supervisor for School Based Services, earned Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from St. Ambrose University in Davenport, IA and her Master of Science degree in Rehabilitation Medicine with a Specialization in Emotional and Behavioral Disorders from the University of Washington in Seattle, WA. She has held a National Board Certification in Occupational Therapy since 1992. She is licensed in Georgia, Iowa, Illinois and Washington State. Lynette has over 30 years of experience in school and clinical setting, having lived and practiced in Iowa, Illinois, Washington and now Georgia. She lives in Cumming, GA with her husband and enjoys sewing, crafts and traveling.  

Pediatric Occupational Therapist

Kyle earned his Bachelor of Science in the field of Communications through Georgia State University before joining the United States Coast Guard where he served for over 4 years. After sustaining an injury to his forearm and hand he discovered the world of Occupational Therapy and decided to pursue his newfound passion by returning to Georgia State University and earning his Master’s of Occupational Therapy. Kyle lives in Marietta with his wife Jackie and his dog Mac. He enjoys playing music, traveling, and going to concerts. 

Pediatric Occupational Therapist

Kelita received her Master's of Occupational Therapy from Augusta University. Kelita specializes in pediatric therapy and has experience with kids with autism, ADHD,

down syndrome, cerebral palsy, picky eating, emotional regulation, and other developmental delays. She has additional training in the SOS feeding program and Handwriting Without Tears. Kelita lives in Cumming with her husband and enjoys outdoor activities, cooking, photography, and zumba.

Pediatric Occupational Therapist

Liv graduated with her doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania. She is a Florida native, born and raised in sunny Sarasota, FL. Liv enjoys working with the pediatric population and helping make a difference in children’s and families lives. In her spare time, she enjoys dance classes, playing her piano and guitar, babysitting, traveling, and exercising. She is licensed in the state of Georgia and relocated to the Atlanta area in January of 2022. Liv has experience working with Autism, sensory processing disorders, ADD/ADHD, behaviors, Down's Syndrome, various genetic disorders, physical disabilities such as Cerebral Palsy, and general developmental and fine motor delays. Liv is excited to be a part of the Wiles Therapy for Kids family and share her knowledge and skills with her patients and their families.

Pediatric Occupational Therapist

Cassi earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and minor in Religious Studies from Young Harris College and earned her Master's degree of Occupational Therapy at Le Moyne College in Syracuse, NY. Cassi lives in Cumming, GA. She has experience working with the following populations: Autism, sensory processing disorders, ADD/ADHD, various mental health disorders, and general developmental delays. She enjoys traveling, trying new restaurants, shopping, crafting, and hanging out with family, friends, and her two pugs Oliver and Winston. Cassi is excited to be a part of the Wiles Therapy for Kids team and to help kids and their families achieve their goals. 

Pediatric Occupational Therapist

Olivia earned her Master’s of Occupational Therapy degree within the West Virginia University School of Medicine in 2017. She previously graduated with a Bachelors of Arts in Human Performance and Health at WVU- Go Mountaineers! Within her graduate school program, Olivia was the recipient of the Academic Achievement Award and the Innovations in Research Award. She has furthered her pediatric knowledge through various continuing education courses and certifications including “Handwriting Without Tears, “Kinesiology Taping Certification for Pediatrics”, and the “Flourish Neonatal Therapeutic Certification”.  

Olivia lives in Alpharetta with her husband Cody and their young daughter. She has a love for time spent with family & friends, her three pets, shopping, and fitness.   

Pediatric Occupational Therapist

Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant

Carolyn earned her Bachelor of Science in early childhood education with a minor in human and family studies from Auburn University. She is a certified Georgia educator and taught kindergarten and first grade for 6 years, in Georgia and Texas, before going back to school to become a certified occupational therapy assistant. Carolyn is a certified and licensed occupational therapy assistant in Georgia with experience as a COTA/L in the school setting and with pediatrics. Carolyn loves working with children and helping children grow, learn, and develop to be successful in their everyday lives.  In her free time Carolyn loves spending time with her family and dogs, gardening, and going to the beach

Pediatric Physical Therapist

Kelly graduated from Georgia Southern University with a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science. She went to Georgia State University to earn her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. Kelly currently lives in Alpharetta with her fiancé. Kelly has experience with many diagnosis, some of which include autism, orthopedic injuries, tortillas, genetic conditions, developmental delay, and gross motor delays. In her free time Kelly likes to work out, travel, and spend time with family and friends. 

Pediatric Physical Therapist

Kelly Atwood studied at UNG where she obtained her undergraduate degree in Kinesiology and completed Doctorate in Physical Therapy. She works mainly at the Cumming location, but works one day in Dawsonville. Kelly has experience with many diagnosis, some of which include autism, orthopedic injuries, tortillas, genetic conditions, developmental delay, and gross motor delays. She currently lives in Canton and loves coffee, taking walks, and shopping.  

Pediatric Physical Therapist        

Lead PT     

Joan Alia, M.S., PT, is our clinic’s lead PT and our Education Coordinator. Joan was a NCAA gymnast when completing her undergraduate degree at SUNY (The State University of New York) Brockport, and was often found jumping around the bleachers as the school mascot. Joan received her Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy from Long Island University in Brooklyn, NY in 1994. 

Joan’s experience of over 20 years as a pediatric physical therapist includes: Acute care pediatric hospital in Queens, NY; school and clinic based PT at Nassau BOCES (NY) and Gwinnett County Public Schools, Early Intervention and Outpatient Clinic therapy at Mind and Motion and served as a Pediatric Concussion Program Coordinator. 

Joan has a true passion and love for working with children.  

Billing Manager

Christie received her Bachelors Degree  from the University of Alabama and has been with Wiles Therapy for Kids for over 17 years. She lives in Cumming, GA with her husband.  They have raised two children who are now in college. 

Office Manager

Angela received her Bachelor's degree from Kent State University in 1994. She moved to Georgia in 1997 and lives with her husband and son, better known as "Super Cooper" who is also a part of the Wiles Therapy family.  Most recently, Angela was a Pre-School Music teacher for the last 6 years before joining Wiles Therapy for Kids. Being a mother of a child with Autism, allows her to relate to many of the parents here.  Angela currently lives in Chestnut Mountain, Ga with her husband, son, and their Shishon puppy, Lola. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, traveling (especially to their beach rentals in Hilton Head and Myrtle beach), and her son's new-found adventures of getting to every Nascar track. 

Front Desk Coordinator

Maddie has a Bachelor's Degree from Georgia College and State University. Maddie has a love for kids and for occupational therapy. She plans to apply for an advanced degree in occupational therapy.