Kelly Pediatric Therapy honors outstanding professionals who go above and beyond through our annual Provider of the Year program. These team members work closely with students, teachers, and families to support pediatric development in meaningful, real-world ways.
One such standout is Behavior Therapy winner Dyishia Womack, a behavioral technician at First Philadelphia Charter School. With nearly a decade of experience and a deep personal connection to the work, Dyishia is dedicated to helping students with neurodiverse needs build essential life skills, confidence, and independence.
Her impact extends beyond the classroom—supporting families, uplifting colleagues, and ensuring every child she works with feels seen, heard, and valued.
Dyishia: Right now, I work in a kindergarten autistic support classroom. A typical day for me is helping my student with things like schoolwork, life skills, and regulation skills. Right now, we’re working on sensory need and helping him cope with the classroom environment. It’s about meeting him where he is and helping him build the skills he needs to succeed.
I’ve been in the field for about 10 years, starting shortly after high school.
I didn’t go to college specifically for behavioral therapy—I began as a PCA and gained experience through trainings with the companies I worked for, which helped me grow into my current role. I’ve worked with a variety of students, including those with autism, learning disabilities, emotional disturbances, and Down syndrome. While I’m typically assigned to one student, I support all the children in the classroom.
A typical day involves helping my student with both academic work and life skills. I focus on things like regulation, meeting goals, and building independence.
Dyishia:I have several family members with neurodiverse needs, and growing up, I spent a lot of time helping and supporting them. That really stuck with me.
After high school, I knew I wanted a career where I could help kids like them. I didn’t go to college specifically for behavioral therapy—I started as a personal care assistant and gained experience and training over time. That path led me to where I am today.
Dyishia: I chose the school setting because I feel like that’s where I can make the biggest impact. A lot of the kids I work with can’t always advocate for themselves—they can’t always express their wants and needs.
It’s important to me to be that voice for them and to make sure they’re seen and heard. In a school, I can help them not only with behavior but also with learning, social skills, and reaching their goals.
Dyishia: The best part is seeing the kids—and their families—light up when something clicks. When a child learns a new skill or does something their parents didn’t think was possible, it’s such an amazing feeling.
Success looks different for every child. Sometimes it’s something big, and sometimes it’s small steps that lead to bigger things.
For example, I’ve worked with students over time to build communication skills, social skills, and even things like trying new foods or making friends. And sometimes, success means helping a student get to a point where they don’t need as much support anymore—that’s a huge win.
Dyishia: Focus on the person, not the disability. When you take the time to really get to know the individual you’re working with, it makes a huge difference in how you support them.
Also, be patient, have an open mind, and be ready to adapt. Not everything is going to work the first time, and that’s okay. You have to be willing to try something new and come back to things later if needed.
“Dyishia Womack is a true representative of the high-quality therapists that Kelly Pediatric Therapy provides to its partner schools each day,” says Nicola Soares, President of Kelly Education.
“She operates with high integrity and makes a clear difference in ensuring student success. We are proud to recognize her commitment with this honor.” As one of our Provider of the Year winners, Dyishia will receive a $5,000 bonus, as well as $1500 donated on her behalf to First Philadelphia Preparatory Charter School.
At Kelly Pediatric Therapy we work with occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, physical therapists, psychologists, mental health professionals, and other providers to help you find the right school-based placements.
If you're looking to move forward in your professional career in a way that supports growth, balance, and impact—consider working with us as a school-based therapist.
When you work with Kelly Pediatric Therapy, you’ll enjoy competitive pay, compensation for documentation, access to mentorship, free professional development, and work-free nights, weekends, and holidays.
Learn more about joining our team.