Who Do We Think We Are?

It's All About The Staff

Clay White, LLC is made up many Master's level professionals dedicated to providing additional therapeutic services to children already receiving Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and/or Special Education services. We work with children with learning disabilities and dyslexia as well as those with Asperger's and autism. We have an in-depth understanding of developmental issues and how they relate to socialization, group awareness, and self-esteem.

Clay White, M.Ed. For over 30 years, Clay has worked with children with sensory processing and motor coordination issues in a wide variety of public and private institutions. He has received state-wide as well as national awards for his work with hundreds of children in Atlanta every year. He has developed life-long friendships with scores of professional colleagues over the years, many of whom are directly involved with the PEOTSI DAY CAMP.
Dyed in the wool TARHEEL.

Amity Stevens, M.S., OTR/L Amity hiked with Outdoor Sensory Adventures for 3 years before joining the Social Club staff several years ago. She was also a Super Saturday group leader for 3 years before becoming the lead OT at camp. Amity started as the Red Group leader when camp began four years ago and now she leads Red Group, Gold Group, and Platinum Group! Last year she and David Lankford lead the Gold Group to their first overnight adventure. During the school year Amity is a contract OT for Forsyth County Schools, works at Children in Motion as a pediatric Occupational Therapist (www.childreninmotion.com), and works with several pre-schools and private schools proving therapy. Her inspiration for becoming an OT stems from having a younger sister with special needs and her love for working with children.
KSU and Brenau grad. Boomer Sooner and Go Gators!

David Lankford, B.A. As a teenager, David set the standard for hiker helpers for our program. While at U. of Texas - Austin, he worked every summer at the Sky Ranch Youth Trail in Colorado leading wilderness backpacking trips. After graduation, David spent three years running an outdoor education program for elementary schools in Tyler, Texas. He will run our Tree House groups (climbing wall & zip lines) and serve as our primary life guard. Looking forward, David will be instrumental in developing our over night camp next year. David teaches at Hirsch Academy.
Texas Longhorns.

Stephanie Young, M.S.,OTR/L Steph did her master's thesis on the effectiveness of the Outdoor Sensory Adventures program while hiking with us 4 years. In her spare time she builds sensory playgrounds for Ukranian orphanages (no kidding). Stephanie Young will run bicycling and the Engine Club. During the school year, Steph is an OT at Atlanta Speech School.
Diehard Bulldog fan.

Brian Ivey, B.A. Brian has worked with Clay White, LLC for eighteen years, and currently teaches at the High Meadows School. That experience comes in handy when taking kids on a day trip. Whether it’s tubing down the river in Helen, zip lining across the lake at Camp Calvin, or playing with rabbits and pigs at Morning Glory Farm, Brian makes sure everyone has fun and gets back on time. With three kids of his own, Brian has an invaluable perspective when it comes to balancing excitement with safety.
Kennesaw State Owls.

Ryan Cusick Ryan started hiking with us at age 11 just to shadow her extremely challenged step brother. The step brother didn't stay around too long, but Ryan did. She has worked with all facets of Clay White, LLC programs for the last twelve years, demonstrating a level headedness and dependability well beyond her years. Ryan now works at Hirsch Academy during the school year.
Georgia Bulldogs.

Big Jeff Mitschele, B.A. Big Jeff started Fishing with Mitch 30 years ago and has applied it to every special population imaginable. Working with Clay for the past 20 years, he has hiked, run PEOTSI sports programs, lead Social Club groups, and conducted the fishing portion of Super Saturdays for 7 years. Jeff teaches at Hirsch Academy.
Louisville Cardinals & Western Kentucky Hilltoppers.

Jenni Miller, B. Mus., M. Ed. earned degrees from Vanderbilt. As a classroom teacher at The Marcus Autism Center, she found that yoga had a calming and focussing effect on her students. Jenni currently incorporates with her dyslexic students at The Schenck School. She joins yoga with laughter, music, and games to encourage all children to live healthier, more balanced lives, while experiencing a sense of belonging and joy.
UT Volunteer fan.

Gudny Jonsdottir is from Iceland and a graduate of the Iceland University of Education with her degree in Developmental Therapy. Her specialties include autism, ADHD, and speech difficulties. Her 13 years of experience have included stints in Iceland, India, and Atlanta. Gudny moved to Atlanta with her husband in 2008 and found work at Hirsch Academy as the Occupational Therapy assistant. She has extensive Floortime training through Floortime Atlanta. In her spare time, Gudny participates in a women's roller derby league... seriously.
Iceland University Vikings.

Jenny Welty, Ed.S., ATR began her carreer in Art Therapy working with Clay in residential treatment centers 20 years ago. She has honed her skills as a therapist with numerous special populations in numerous settings over the last two decades.
A casual Bulldog fan.

Beth Hampshire, NMT, MT-BC has done music therapy for twelve years. She owns and operates Music Therapy Services of Atlanta, which specializes in autism and other neurological conditions. Beth has provided MT groups for the Emory Autism Center , as well as numerous schools and hospitals around Atlanta. Beth is a graduate of Eastern Michigan U. and is currently working on an advanced degree through Colorado State.
Buckeye.

Sarah Norris, M.S., OTR/L Sarah switched from journalism to occupational therapy in just the nick of time. She and her husband do a lot of hiking, biking, and kayaking. Sarah currently contracts with Forsyth Co. schools
Missouri Tigers & Tennessee Vols.

Shahnoor Dharamsi, M.S., OTR/L Shahnoor is one of the most diverse OT's in Atlanta. She has 8 years of hiking experience with Clay, has been with Children's Healthcare of Atlanta for 10 years specializing in feeding and sensory processing. She has run the PEOTSI Sports Program with Clay for 5 years, works at Camp Calvin as a certified hippotherapist, and is a member of the occupational therapy facuty at Brenau University. Shahnoor now works only part time at CHOA as she develops her private practice in Jonesboro.
Brenau University Golden Tigers.

Nancy Noel, B.A. Every organization needs an IT person and Nancy is ours. Nancy has dragged Clay White, LLC into the twenty first century; kicking and screamming the entire way. Every email or computer - generated bit of information that comes from our office has Nancy to thank for its existance.

Gayle White, M.Ed. serves as "Fruitie Tootie",our fruit lady during the afternoon fruit break. With eleven years of special education teaching experience in Fulton County, Gayle is eminantly qualified to slice watermelon, hand out oranges, and determine who has eaten too many grapes. In her spare time, she serves as Clay's wife.
Emory University Eagles.

Carol Thomason Carol has been somewhat successful in keeping Clay White, LLC organized for over a decade. It is a monumental task, but Carol is always taking care of details, large or small. She ran the front desk at The Schenck School for years, but now enjoys semi retirement, which includes getting to know many of the kids and parents in our program. She's like the grandmother everyone should have. Most importantly, Carol collects money for most of our programs. Don't mess with Carol.
Georgia Bulldogs

Desiree' Thomas, M.Ed. Desiree’ is a DeKalb County elementary school teacher with eleven years of classroom experience. She has spent a large portion of her career teaching inclusive education. She earned her degrees from Saint Leo University and Kennesaw State University. Her love for performing and being on stage began at birth! She started taking improv classes and fell in love with it. Through her classes she became involved with Shenanigans, an applied arts and theatre program for children with autism. Desiree’ is inspired by what improvisational acting can do to benefit all children. She brings years of experience, patience, a love for children, and lots of energy! GO BRAVES!