Through these different experiences with a wide array of ages and diagnoses, Kristi has developed an expertise in working with children with feeding issues, sensory integration dysfunction, developmental delay, and autism. Additional training has been completed with the SOS Approach to Feeding, oral motor strategies, Handwriting without Tears, and overall sensory integration techniques.

Kristi was very excited to have the opportunity to open a pediatric therapy facility as this has been a long time dream.  Bringing such an amazing resource to the Canton area has been very fullfilling.

Sharilyn moved from south Florida to Forsyth County , Georgia in the summer of 2007. She graduated from Nova Southeastern University in Florida with a Masters degree in speech and language pathology. She has been working with the pediatric population since 1995. Prior to joining Rising Stars Children's Therapy, Sharilyn worked in many different settings, including a private clinic, a developmental preschool, in an elementary program with autistic children, and did some home health. She specializes in global speech delays, articulation, apraxia, autism, oral motor skills, and works with children with a variety of diagnoses. When not working, Sharilyn spends time with husband and their two children, and enjoys hiking in the mountains, cooking, and volunteering with Cub Scouts and in her children's school.

Kathy earned her degree at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and has worked as a speech/language therapist in a school system and as a developmental specialist in a neonatal intensive care unit and developmental follow-up program in a metropolitan hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She owned a private practice in Pittsburgh for over twenty years, specializing in treating high risk children with communication disorders and those with autism and autism spectrum disorders. Ms. Brunner relocated to Georgia in July of 2004 and splits her time working in an outpatient pediatric practice and doing home treatment for infants and toddlers. Ms. Brunner has given workshops across the country training individuals to use Melodic/Multi-Phonemic Intervention which she has developed and used with success for many non-verbal and low verbal individuals.

Kathy specializes in treating individuals with developmental delay including autism, PDD, genetic disorders, auditory processing, and apraxia, and individuals with a range of oral motor and feeding disorders.

She is a member of the ASHA, and has presented at Autism One conferences, as well as the Georgia Speech, Language and Hearing Association conferences.

Nicole received her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Valdosta State University.  She is a member of the American Speech and Hearing Association, the Georgia Speech and Hearing Association, and the National Speech, Hearing, and Language Association.  Before coming to In Harmony Pediatric she worked in the Bartow County, and Fulton County schools where she had to opportunity to gain experience doing group therapy, and working with diverse populations of children in the grades K-12.  During her off time she enjoys playing with her dog Ace, and boating on Lake Alatoona.

Kelly Hidalgo, MS, PT graduated from Georgia State University in 2001 with a Masters degree in physical therapy.  She has worked solely in pediatrics in the clinic and home environments.   Kelly has taken continuing education in torticollis, NDT, infant massage, and serial casting.  She works with a variety of diagnoses including, but not limited to, down syndrome, cerebral palsy, developmental delays, mitochondrial disorder, autism, and torticollis.  Kelly is married with two children, in her off time she enjoys spending time with friends and family and a good movie!

Jennifer is an MT-BC, and completed her music therapy degree at the University of Georgia . She remained in the Atlanta area for her music therapy internship with the Fulton County School System. She is a licensed Kindermusik educator and is a member of the Music Therapy Association of Georgia, American Music Therapy Association, and the Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta. She holds national board certification in music therapy, is a credentialed Neurological Music Therapist, and is a credentialed Early Intervention Specialist. Jennifer has been active in her community and church serving as choir director, drama director, and other positions in the music ministry.

Kirby C. Smith, MT-BC, completed her Bachelor of Music degree in Music Therapy at the University of Alabama in 2007. Since completing her internship with the Fulton County School System, Kirby has worked in the public school setting serving students with special needs ages pre-k through 12th grade. She has recently completed her Teaching Certification in Music Education with Georgia State University, and is now pursuing her Masters of Music Therapy degree at Georgia College and State University. Kirby is a member of the American Music Therapy Association and the Certification Board for Music Therapists. She is also a member of the Music Therapy Association of Georgia where she serves as the Membership Chair.

Cheryl is a Kindermusik(R) educator who has spent most of her life as a vocal performer and actress. Her life-long love of children, and her experience with multiples and children with Autism will assist her in providing you and your child a magical, memorable time together in the classroom.