Founder’s Biography
Dr. Harriett Walker-Dumas, OTD, OTR/L, CMT, CNMT
Dr. Harriett Walker-Dumas is the founder and executive director of Discovery Therapy Network, a non-profit organization. Our mission is to provide education and services on therapeutic advancements to empower students, educators, administrators, parents, and professionals. Our focus is helping children diagnosed with Autism and other special needs to learn new skills. We provide professional training, workshops, webinars, summer camps, educational opportunities, therapeutic activities, and social skill training.
As a pediatric occupational therapist with over 24 years of experience, her passion is promoting therapeutic gains with patients and students. She has directed and co-coordinated camps for children with special needs for seven years. Her personal camp mission is to promote therapeutic and academic skills enrichment during the summertime with fun activities. This includes fine motor skills, sensory processing skills, social/play skills, reading, attention to task, assistive technology and arts/crafts. Dr. Walker-Dumas recognizes the potential in children’s abilities and strives for optimal achievement of their functional skill levels.
Dr. Walker-Dumas received her occupational therapy doctorate degree and master’s degree from Mount Mary University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In 1996, she obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy from Tuskegee University. During her busy schedule, she completed graduate courses at The University of Massachusetts – Autism Studies program.
Professional Accomplishments:
- 2004 -2015 – Owned and operated three pediatric therapy facilities; provided school based contracting services
- 2008 – Authored The Wonder Paper – Handwriting Development System
- 2003 – Continuing education provider/facilitator: “Incorporating Massage into Patient Treatment Plans”
- 1998 – Completed a two-year healthcare professionals massage therapy program at New Life Institute (currently Rising Star Institute) in Atlanta, Georgia. Obtained a certification in massage and neuromuscular therapy.
- 1998 – Patented and invented “Push-Pipe: The Upper Extremity Stroke Apparatus” to enhance functional gains with adult hemiplegic patients.
President
Dr. Ronald O’Neal, D.Sc. Email:ronaldoneal@discoverytherapy.org
Dr. O’Neal’s propensity to lead a non-profit organization is shown in his past performance as President of Missing Pieces CDC since January 2016. He brings non-profit organizational development and management experience, as well as a proven record of real world business and technology leadership. In his roll his responsibilities include;
- Business Development and Community Relations
- Board Leadership and Executive Guidance
- Oversight of Policies and Procedures
- Technology Innovation
Dr. O’Neal, has established and managed projects within the public and private sectors to facilitate business growth and maturity of technical programs. He has successfully provided insight and perspective, both verbally and written, to non-technical and technical leadership within several business industries to their executive and/or C-Suite Leadership.
Secretary / Public Relations Director
Mrs. Tiffany Sheppard Email: Office@discoverytherapy.org
Mrs. Tiffany Sheppard is a Program Analyst for the US Government. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Relations from Clark Atlanta University. Currently she has over 25 years of experience working directly with the public in several different capacities, including operations supervisor. Mrs. Sheppard is a highly skilled organizational trainer and public speaker.
Mrs. Sheppard has years of experience serving as a project manager for several civic organizations, coordinating events, directing public relations efforts, and delivering community-oriented interactions to promote events. She enjoys traveling and volunteering at her church in Atlanta, Georgia.
Speech Language Pathologist
Mrs. La’Keisha Jackson, MA CCC-SLP
Learning that your child has a diagnosis that impacts his or her overall development including communication development is a life altering experience for parents and families.
Understanding and embracing the sensitivity required when partnering with parents and families who are navigating unexpected challenges is the foundation for the speech-language pathology practice of La’Keisha Jackson, MA CCC-SLP.
La’Keisha Jackson has been a Georgia licensed, and American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) certified Speech-Language Pathologist for over 15 years. Her areas of expertise include feeding and swallowing treatment of children and adults, receptive and expressive language treatment of children and adults, as well as speech and articulation therapy of children and adults. She has been the owner of a growing speech therapy private practice in Cherokee County, Georgia since 2017.
Following in the footsteps of her hometown hero, Lebron James, La’Keisha decided to take her talents south! Like Lebron James, she is originally from Northeast Ohio. La’Keisha has happily called Georgia her home since 2004! In her spare time La’Keisha enjoys spending time at North Georgia’s many beautiful parks and Lake Allatoona with her greatest loves, her husband and young son Elliott!