Bio

Meet the Team

Charity Higgins, MOT, OTR/L, ASDCS and CEO

Occupational Therapist, Owner

Charity has been working in the pediatric OT field since 2007. Since getting her Master’s in Occupational Therapy from Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, she has worked in a variety of pediatric settings including private practice, daycare’s, public and private schools, and homes. Puttential, Inc. was created in 2009 with the vision of integrating Occupational Therapy and the game of golf. Later, in 2013, Kidz Therapy Zone was established to better serve clients sensory and developmental needs. The therapy clinic allows for greater Sensory Integration interventions and co treating with Speech and Language therapists. KTZ offers services in a warm, friendly, and positive environment. With continuing education in Sensory Processing and Regulation, Therapeutic Listening, Interactive Metronome, Handwriting Without Tears, Vision Therapy and Reflex Integration principles, Charity and her colleagues treat children of all ages and skill levels with a holistic approach to maximize learning and development. Charity and her staff have a passion for helping children reach their highest potential.

Outside of KTZ, Charity enjoys watching her son play baseball and helping her daughter make slime (she is a slime guru!).

Mariela Rivera,

COTA and Clinical Supervisor

Mariela completed her studies at Keiser University and became a COTA/L in 2011. Since earning her certification, she has worked solely with the pediatric population, providing services in outpatient clinics, home health and in school settings. Mariela has been an integral part of Kidz Therapy Zone since 2012 and was promoted to Clinical Supervisor in 2022. She is trained in Interactive Metronome, and the Handwriting Without Tears programs. Other continuing education courses have focused on Sensory Processing Disorders and Sensory Integration.

She has a passion for the profession and for helping children make improvements that will undoubtedly change their life. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and the outdoors.

Rheya Guptar, MS, OTR/L

Rheya Guptar is a licensed board-certified Occupational Therapist. Originally from Georgia, she obtained a Bachelor of Science in General Biology from Augusta University in 2022, then went on to receive her Master of Health Science in Occupational Therapy from the same university in 2024.

Rheya has an affinity for the well-being of others, and aims to make a noticeable difference in people’s lives. She is fortunate and grateful to be part of a profession which allows her to do both.

In her free time, Rheya enjoy’s spending time with friends and family, going on road trips, and bingeing the latest shows!

Ashley Beauford, COTA/L

Karen earned her Master of Arts degree from the University of Central Florida and has been a licensed, certified, practicing Speech-Language Pathologist since 1996, serving medically fragile preterm infants, pediatrics, adolescents, adults, and geriatric populations. She has experience in a variety of settings, including medically-based (acute care and inpatient rehab), outpatient/cognitive day treatment, school-based, and PPEC. Her specialties include neurogenic disorders, expressive and receptive language delays, and feeding and swallowing difficulties.

Karen is committed to providing individualized, neuroprotective, neuroaffirming, and evidence-based care to maximize patient outcomes and quality of life.

Outside of KTZ, Karen enjoys running and weight training, watching her daughters at their extracurricular activities, listening to music and podcasts, and traveling with her family.

Karen Trainor, M.A., CCC-SLP

Charity has been working in the pediatric OT field since 2007. Since getting her Masters in Occupational Therapy from Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, she has worked in a variety of pediatric settings including private practice, daycare’s, public and private schools, and homes. Puttential, Inc. was created in 2009 with the vision of integrating Occupational Therapy and the game of golf. Later, in 2013, Kidz Therapy Zone was established to better serve clients sensory and developmental needs. The therapy clinic allows for greater Sensory Integration interventions and co treating with Speech and Language therapists. KTZ offers services in a warm, friendly, and positive environment. With continuing education in Sensory Processing and Regulation, Therapeutic Listening, Interactive Metronome, Handwriting Without Tears, Vision Therapy and Reflex Integration principles, Charity and her colleagues treat children of all ages and skill levels with a holistic approach to maximize learning and development. Charity and her staff have a passion for helping children reach their highest potential.

Outside of KTZ, Charity enjoys watching her son play baseball, and helping her daughter make slime (she is a slime guru!).

Riley Devlin, M.S., CF-SLP

is a licensed speech-language pathologist clinical fellow. She graduated from the University of Central Florida with a bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Riley then completed her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology at Boston University.

Riley is committed to a neurodiversity-affirming, strengths-based approach to developing children’s independence and communication skills. She strives to collaborate with families to maximize progress inside and outside of the therapy setting.

Outside of KTZ, Riley enjoys spending days at Disney and adding to her plant collection!

Olivia Ricket, MS, CF-SLP

Olivia Rickett is a speech-language pathologist from Kansas City, Missouri. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Arkansas in 2022 and completed her graduate studies at Florida State University in 2024. Olivia has a special interest in early language development and advocates for the use of total communication, including sign language and alternative and augmentative communication, to create language-rich, inclusive environments.

Outside of her professional work, Olivia enjoys spending time with her dachshund, playing pickleball, and discovering new movies and TV shows.

Carly Elworthy, B.A. SLPA

Carly is a licensed Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida, earned in 2020. During her studies, she gained valuable experience as a teaching assistant at a private sensory-based school for neurodivergent students. After graduating, Carly obtained her teaching certification and led a classroom for four years, specializing in special education. She is also certified in the Orton-Gillingham approach, helping children overcome reading and writing challenges.

Carly is excited to bring her classroom expertise to the field of speech therapy and continue growing alongside her clients.

In her free time, she enjoys painting, thrifting, crafting, reading, and spending time with friends and family.

Briana Savastano, B.A. C-SLPA

My name is Briana Savastano, and I am a licensed Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA). I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and Disorders from the University of Central Florida. I have been a proud and dedicated SLPA for four years, working in pediatric private practice settings. These opportunities have allowed me to work with a variety of disorders, such as Receptive and Expressive Language Disorders, Speech Sound Disorders, Stuttering/Fluency Disorders, Pragmatic Language Disorders, and Feeding/Swallowing Disorders. I am continuing my education to earn my Clinical certification for ASHA Assistant Certification, which will award me my C-SLPA.

I am dedicated and humbled to be in a field as rewarding as this one, where I can build relationships with my patients and their families. I strive to work towards reaching goals and achieving success together for the best outcomes for my patients. I am passionate about helping my patients find their voice and the ability to advocate for themselves, their wants, and their needs.

In my free time, I enjoy going to yoga, spending time with my family and two cats, playing golf, traveling, and dedicating my Sundays to church.

Maria Paula Carranza,

A bilingual Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA)

Hi, I’m Maria Paula Carranza—a bilingual Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) with a B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Central Florida. I specialize in providing speech and language therapy to children, particularly those on the autism spectrum and those with speech disorders.

I’m deeply passionate about helping others find their voice and thrive through personalised, meaningful support—especially for neurodiverse learners. My approach is rooted in creativity, compassion, and genuine care for each child’s unique journey.

Outside the therapy office, I’m a full-time dog mom, plant enthusiast, and devoted thrift shopper. I’m also a bit of a matcha connoisseur—always on the hunt for new blends and cozy coffee spots around
Orlando.

Susan Mayton, ITDS

Susan is a certified Infant Toddler Developmental Specialist (ITDS), with 25+ years’ experience in Early Childhood service. She has served as Social Worker, Home & Center Based Teacher/Lead Teacher, Program Director, COO, and Independent Contractor. Her favorite role has always been Early Educator/Family Mentor. She considers it an honor to be invited into a home and trusted to support the family as their child’s best teacher, developing interventions that will shape a young child’s love for learning.

Susan has a BSW degree in Clinical Social Work from SUNY Albany; and, a special certificate Masters in Early Education Visual Impairment from FSU. She has worked with children experiencing a range of DD, such as Cerebral Palsy, ASD, Down Syndrome, Communications Disorder, Cognitive Delay, Motor Delay, Medical Fragility with Delay, Vision Impairment & Blindness. She believes that the best teaching begins with the best evaluation, and so has pursued extra training in this. Together with a team, she published a family friendly process for evaluating young children with DD, and trained this process to teachers and evaluators throughout Florida under contract with the Florida Department of Education. This has led to her special passion for working with children who are coping with highly unique challenges, calling for innovative teaching strategies.

Susan is inspired and humbled on a daily basis by her very own superhero, her son Joshua who lives joyfully, while coping with Tuberous Sclerosis!

Asifa Anjum,

Medical Billing RCM & Authorisation Specialist

Asifa Anjum brings over 10 years of experience in medical billing and authorisations, offering deep expertise in healthcare revenue cycle management. At KTZ, she plays a key role in ensuring accurate and efficient authorisation workflows that support both providers and patients. Known for her attention to detail and strong problem-solving skills, Asifa is dedicated to delivering excellence and streamlining operations.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending quality time with family and staying engaged in continuous learning.

Leighla Forrester

Front Office Assistant

Hi! My name is Leighla, and I’m originally from Ft. Lauderdale, FL. I’m currently a third-year undergraduate student at the University of Central Florida, majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a minor in Psychology. My goal is to become a speech-language pathologist, and my experience at KTZ has already taught me so much and deepened my passion for the field! Outside of school and work, I love spending time with my dog Matcha, cooking, and hanging out with friends.

Bio