Our team is diverse, yet driven by a single focus: the children we serve.

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Carol Taylor

MOT OTR/L

Carol is Owner and Clinical Director at Play Matters (formerly PlayWorks). She founded the clinic in 2001 in Atlanta, GA to consult, support and advocate for children and their families. 

Carol tries to strike the ideal balance between Clinician & Compassion. She believes that thoughtful and truly empathetic care can sometimes get lost in traditional occupational therapy practices. Fiercely optimistic, Carol has a heartfelt passion for both the profession and for children and the families Play Matters serves. 

"We are a family's biggest cheerleader. We want to instill confidence with parents and teachers and act as a trusted advisor. In the process, we hope to educate families and the school community."

Uncommonly resourceful, Carol continuously finds creative ways to engage children. She is also extremely well connected within the OT community and is known for her ability to make appropriate recommendations to additional resources outside of her practice.

As a pediatric occupational therapist, her areas of expertise include Sensory Integration (SI), visual-motor, ocular motor & visual perceptual development, auditory intervention, as well as being a DIRFloortime Practitioner.

With a degree in Special Education, a Master of Occupational Therapy and experience as a teacher in the public school system, Carol knows the academic environment firsthand. She is an expert in working with teachers and school staff to incorporate sensorimotor activities in the classroom to facilitate learning as well as play development. She continues to consult at many Atlanta area public and private school, child development centers, and preschools and has been featured in the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

She has been a guest lecturer at both local and national conventions and a featured presenter in graduate level courses at several universities.  Outside the clinic and school settings, she enjoys spending time with her family and staying current on the needs and challenges of today's families.

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Amy Mace 

OTR/L

Amy, our Lead Occupational Therapist, comes to us with over 18 years of experience under her belt. Originally from Pennsylvania, by way of South Carolina, Amy has proven to be a perfect fit for our clinic. Due to her easy-going demeanor and quick adaptability, she is able to develop strong, nurturing, and mutually respectful relationships with all her clients.

Amy’s steadfast professionalism is only outmatched by her convivial personality, which is always present and made clear by the laughter that constantly flows from her sessions. She adds creativity and excitement to everything she does, and this makes her a huge hit with her clients and pretty much anyone who crosses her path. Amy has a knack for turning the mundane into the extraordinary, making even the most boring tasks stimulating and fun.

Amy received her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from Elizabethtown College in 2000. She also spent two years at the University of Southern California as a working professional while she earned her Certification in Sensory Integration. Amy is trained in several protocols, such as DIR/Floortime, AHA BLS for Healthcare Providers, The Size Matters Handwriting Program, and Sensory Regulation in Children with Autism, ADHD, and Sensory Disorders, just to name a few. She also has experience in Handwriting Without Tears and Astronaut Training. Amy also has an incredibly well-rounded occupational therapy background, having treated adults and children in a multitude of practice settings, including schools, hospitals, and rehabilitation facilities.

Not only is Amy an outstanding therapist, but she is also an experienced public speaker, having been a guest speaker at several conferences in South Carolina and Pennsylvania. Amy’s finely-honed skills and laid-back personality have made her a fan favorite at Play Matters. Her vast knowledge and experience have made her an invaluable resource to our wonderful families, and to us as well. She has been a wonderful mentor to our interns, and is an inspiration to the whole Play Matters family.

 

Allison Peterka

OTR/L

Meet Ally, whose transformative journey with occupational therapy at The Schenck School in Atlanta ignited a deep-seated passion that continues to shape her path today. Inspired by the empowerment she received as a child, Ally is committed to paying it forward to the next generation.

Ally holds a Master’s in Health Science in Occupational Therapy from Augusta University, complemented by a bachelor's degree in psychology. Throughout her time in OT school, Ally delved into research, focusing on "The Effect of COVID-19 on Childhood Occupations: A Scoping Review." Her group's insightful findings were presented at the Georgia Occupational Therapy Conference, offering invaluable perspectives to fellow clinicians.

With experience spanning diverse age groups and abilities, Ally has refined her skills in tailoring interventions to suit each child's unique needs. From her involvement in fieldwork across public and independent schools, she has garnered expertise in employing evidence-based techniques such as Handwriting Without Tears. Ally is enthusiastic about joining forces in your child's journey towards confidence, independence, and success.

Maria Torres

COTA/L

Introducing Maria Torres, a dedicated and compassionate Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) here at PLAYmatters. Maria brings a wealth of experience and commitment to our team, focusing on nurturing the growth and wellness of young minds. With a background in both Occupational Therapy and Psychology, Maria approaches therapy from a holistic perspective, ensuring comprehensive care for every child she works with.

Throughout her career, Maria has showcased an exceptional ability to conduct thorough OT screenings, craft personalized intervention plans, and foster effective collaboration with families, educators, and paraprofessionals to promote academic success and social engagement. Maria's enthusiasm for pediatric occupational therapy shines brightly in her emphasis on developmental and sensory activities, curating engaging and impactful therapy sessions tailored to the diverse needs of children.

In addition to her core competencies, Maria has undergone basic training in reflex integration, the Astronaut Training Program, and DIR FloorTime. These additional certifications bolster her capacity to address each child's unique needs, guaranteeing that therapy sessions are finely tuned to their individual strengths and challenges. With Maria's expertise and nurturing approach, families can feel confident that their children are receiving compassionate and capable care at PLAYmatters.

Vivian Harris

COTA/L

Meet Vivian, a compassionate Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) with a remarkable track record of fostering positive client engagement and demonstrating adept management skills. With an empathetic ear and a non-judgmental approach, Vivian embraces diversity and is genuinely open-minded, valuing individuals' unique lifestyles and backgrounds.

Driven by a genuine desire to assist others in their journey towards rehabilitation, Vivian is a proficient problem-solver who thrives on finding innovative solutions to challenges. Her collaborative spirit shines through as she seamlessly integrates into teams, offering unwavering dependability, flexibility, and an infectious positivity that uplifts those around her.

Specializing in interventions for children, Vivian is well-versed in the DIRFloortime approach, utilizing its principles to support developmental progress and enhance overall well-being. Whether in-person or through Telehealth platforms, Vivian administers occupational therapy interventions with precision, focusing on activities of daily living (ADLs), instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), education, play, and social participation.

Furthermore, Vivian lends her expertise to the assessment process, assisting occupational therapists in conducting evaluations with diligence and adhering to established protocols. Her proficiency extends to utilizing occupation as a means of assessment, ensuring comprehensive and holistic evaluations.

With a blend of creativity, empathy, and adaptability, Vivian embodies the essence of occupational therapy, empowering individuals to achieve their fullest potential and embrace a life of health, wellness, and fulfillment.

Meg Fuller

OFFICE MANAGER

Meg brings a wealth of experience in educational operations and a genuine passion for supporting children and families to the PLAYmatters team. Originally hailing from Massachusetts and with roots in Mississippi, Meg earned her Masters of Science in Elementary Education from Delta State University.

During her tenure in Mississippi, Meg served as a Lead Inclusion Teacher across public and charter schools,

engaging with students from kindergarten through fourth grade. Her extensive experience spans a spectrum of disabilities, including speech disorders, ADHD, Autism, Developmental Delays, and Language Processing challenges.

Before embarking on her journey with us at PLAYmatters, Meg independently collaborated with families, facilitating connections with pediatric services and implementing developmental strategies within home environments. Her organizational prowess and administrative acumen complement her deep-seated dedication to interacting with and supporting children and families.

Meg's devotion to empowering children with additional needs and unique strengths is evident in her background. She finds joy in teaching literacy to students and providing guidance to educators on implementing evidence-based teaching strategies rooted in the science of reading. Beyond her professional endeavors, Meg finds solace in travel, thrifting adventures, and cherishing meaningful connections with those she encounters.