our occupational therapy team
Laura Smith, MOTR/L Occupational Therapist
Emily Joy, COTA Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
Sharan Atkar, B.S., COTA Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
Laura Smith MOTR/L, is the lead occupational therapist at Milestones Pediatric Therapy. She received her master's degree from Eastern Washington University in 2009 and has been with the Milestones team ever since. She specializes in working with children whom have sensory integration disfunction, delays in social-emotional development, a
Laura Smith MOTR/L, is the lead occupational therapist at Milestones Pediatric Therapy. She received her master's degree from Eastern Washington University in 2009 and has been with the Milestones team ever since. She specializes in working with children whom have sensory integration disfunction, delays in social-emotional development, and delays in motor skill development. In addition to 11 years of clinical experience and continuing education, Laura has also completed the following certification programs: Sensory Integration and Praxis Testing (SIPT certified), Profectum Level 1 Clinician in the Developmental, Individual Difference, Relationship-based (DIR) model; Advanced Therapeutic Listening; Integrated Listening Systems; Kinesiotaping; Neurodevelopmental and Praxis Training; and Vestibular Rehabilitation. In her free time, Laura enjoys spending time with her son, other family members, and friends. A few of her favorite activities are: snowboarding, backpack camping (really all camping), kayaking, hiking, running, cross-fit training, fishing, anything outdoors!
Sharan Atkar, B.S., COTA Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
Emily Joy, COTA Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
Sharan Atkar, B.S., COTA Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
Sharan received her Bachelors of Science in Biology at Eastern Washington University. She graduated in 2020 from Spokane Falls Community College Occupational Therapy Assistant program. Sharan enjoys working with kids from all ages and collaborating with caregivers and parents to best treat each child. In her free time, she enjoys spendin
Sharan received her Bachelors of Science in Biology at Eastern Washington University. She graduated in 2020 from Spokane Falls Community College Occupational Therapy Assistant program. Sharan enjoys working with kids from all ages and collaborating with caregivers and parents to best treat each child. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family/friends, traveling, and exploring new foods. She is excited to start her journey as a pediatric COTA by being part of the Milestones team!
Emily Joy, COTA Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
Emily Joy, COTA Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
Emily Joy, COTA Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
Emily received her degree in Occupational Therapy Assisting at Spokane Falls Community College in 2016. Since then she has been working here at Milestones and has taken many courses to advance her knowledge and skills some of which include Therapeutic Listening, The Safe and Sound Program, ILs Focus Program, Effective Early Intervention,
Emily received her degree in Occupational Therapy Assisting at Spokane Falls Community College in 2016. Since then she has been working here at Milestones and has taken many courses to advance her knowledge and skills some of which include Therapeutic Listening, The Safe and Sound Program, ILs Focus Program, Effective Early Intervention, Sensory Strategies, Positioning and Handling for Infants and much more. Emily is driven by her love for family and a desire to help kids participate to the best of their abilities in their day to day lives. She strives to help kids to gain independence and skills through play and engagement. When she is not at the clinic, she has her hands full with her own two little ones and can be found outdoors most days going for walks, camping, kayaking and enjoying God’s creation with her family.