By Jonathan Smith
A Culver City doctor was honored earlier this month by the American Red Cross for her years of work with the autism community during a special ceremony in Carson.
Dr. Pamela Wiley received the Education Hero Award during the 15th annual Hometown Heroes Luncheon in front of dozens of onlookers. Other Los Angeles-based volunteers, first responders, and professionals were also honored at the ceremony.
Wiley, a speech-language pathologist, founded the Los Angeles Speech and Language Therapy Center, a clinic that serves children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families. The clinic, along with a nonprofit, was established in 1979, according to the clinic’s website. The center, which operates programs in Culver City, Sherman Oaks, Lawndale, Maywood, and other locations, provides speech therapy, preschool, early intervention, social skills, summer camps, drama, and employment readiness training.
The clinic is located in Culver City.
Dr. Wiley has also written numerous professional articles and workbooks related to autism.
“Receiving this award is very humbling,” Wiley said. “It’s quite an honor, really. And it’s a testament to our kids and our program.”
The center also includes a Vocational Training Program that prepares young people to enter the workforce and achieve independence, something Wiley said made her proud. The center already has a partnership with the UPS Store.
Wiley thanked her staff for their hard work and support.
“Our kids make us proud every day,” Wiley said. “It’s just an honor to be a part of the organization.”
“And our staff deserves praise as well,” she added. “They are just some of the best people around.