Joy Therapy and Learning Center
Our guiding principles create a supportive environment for your child's needs.
At Joy Therapy and Learning Center, you will find an experienced and highly trained pediatric therapy staff. They recognize that parents are a child’s first and most important teacher and therefore involve them in every service provided. Parents feel empowered and supported and children achieve milestones that many thought weren’t possible.
We hire exceptional people.
We maintain a positive attitude and positively influence those around us.
We are intrinsically motivated to take initiative and improve our performance.
We are self managers who are empowered to take responsibility for our own success and happiness.
We make a difference.
We are compassionate, helpful and respectful.
We enthusiastically provide the best services possible.
We go to extraordinary lengths to improve the lives of the children and families who are referred to us.
Our culture is cooperative.
We maintain an environment that is informal, friendly and fun.
We acknowledge what we don't yet know and collaborate to problem-solve and learn.
We welcome an educated conversation to determine the best direction for therapy and learning.
Our culture is empowering.
We identify and utilize the strengths of each staff member to ensure job satisfaction and success.
We provide staff with every degree of flexibility possible because we value a healthy work/life balance.
We are Joy Therapy and Learning Center!
We challenge our patients and ourselves.
We are innovative and will adapt our strategies when necessary to increase the effectiveness and increase your child's goals.
We strive for excellence realizing that there is always room for improvement in all that we do...together.
How Joy Therapy and Learning Center Came to Be
In 2018, two therapists passionately devoted to serving children with special needs came together to form Joy Therapy and Learning Center. What had always been a dream for Nicole Pendley and Nickole Saladin recently turned into a plan during a meeting at a local coffee shop.
From the beginning, our goal has been to provide quality therapeutic services designed to empower children with special needs and their families with three ideas in mind.
Building Relationships... This is where we start. We want to not only know your child but be an integral part of your family, earning your trust and confidence along the way.
Sharing Joy... As we hit milestones with your child together, we are excited to share those experiences with you and be joyful of the progress together.
Providing Results... In the end, this does matter. Our therapists are committed to the development of your child and make every effort to obtain measurable and noticeable results.
Our goal is to help every child achieve maximum independence so they can experience the same opportunities and quality of life as other children. Our approach is family-focused. It is ultimately through the efforts of parents and caregivers that a child is able to reach their full potential.
Meet the Team
Nickole Saladin
Nickole Saladin is the Co-Owner and clinical director of speech language pathology programs at Joy Therapy and Learning Center. Nickole has enjoyed treating children in home health environments, school systems, and clinic based intervention for 16 years. Nickole’s passion for helping others coupled with her enthusiasm for working with young children as a Speech-Language Pathologist serves as the foundation of Joy Therapy and Learning Center’s core values and standards. Nickole received a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from The University of Georgia and a Masters of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Western Carolina University.
Nationally certified member - Certificate of Clinical Competence, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
Licensed Speech Language Pathologist, State of Georgia
Nickole has extensive experience in various areas of the speech, language and hearing disorders including Apraxia, Articulation, Attention Deficit, Auditory Processing, Augmentative Communication, Developmental Delays, Neurogenic Disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and Sensory, Social and Behavioral Deficiencies. Nickole’s special interests include treating children with feeding challenges. She is trained in Sequential Oral Sensory (S.O.S.). In addition, Nickole is PROMPT (Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets) trained.
Nicole Pendley
Nicole Pendley is a Co-Owner and lead physical therapist at Joy Therapy and Learning Center. She has 10+ years experience in early intervention and pediatric care. Nicole enjoys treating in clinic and natural environments, including home, daycare, and school. She received a Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sports Science from the University of Georgia, as well as a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from North Georgia College & State University. Nicole is devoted to providing the best possible, evidence-based treatments to each child she has the opportunity to treat. Her devotion to her clients and families ensures that JOY provides a family centered approach, focusing on realistic solutions and treatment approaches that each child will enjoy.
2009 Recipient of the Dr. John and Margaret Owen Physical Therapy Distinguished Scholar Award – North Georgia College & State University
Co-author of published research on the Effect of Functional Electrical Stimulation and Body Weight Support in a child with Cerebral Palsy.
Licensed Physical Therapist, State of Georgia
Nicole has extensive experience in management of conditions including torticollis, foot flat posturing, toe walking, neurological disorders, genetic conditions, orthopedic injuries, and sensory processing disorders, Nicole has specialized training in kinesiotaping, orthotic prescription, sensory integration, electrical stimulation, and body weight support treadmill training.