Meet the Staff

Dr. Deborah Ross-Swain, CCC-SLP

Clinical Director, Owner

Deborah Ross-Swain, Ed.D., CCC-SLP is the clinical director and CEO of The Swain Center for Listening, Communicating and learning. She is the immediate past president of the California Speech-Language-Hearing Association (CSHA) and has served on the CSHA Board of Directors for 10 years. Dr. Swain is the former Chief of Speech-Language Pathology at the University of California, Davis Medical Center and held a clinical staff appointment to the School of Medicine. Dr. Swain has received awards from CSHA including Fellow of the Association, Outstanding Service and Outstanding Achievement and was awarded Outstanding Alumnus in 2016 from California State University, Sacramento. Dr. Swain was honored with the Nancy McKinley Leadership award from the Council of State Association Presidents (CSAP) presented at the annual American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s annual convention in Boston, MA. Dr. Swain currently serves as chair for CSHA’s Early Intervention and International Committees. She also served as the project coordinator for a tri-state ASHA grant which produced five videos on Interprofessional Practice and Interprofessional Education for assessment and treatment of ASD, Literacy and Early Intervention as well as SLP Scope of Practice and Audiology Scope of Practice. Dr. Swain has served on ASHA’s Legislative Council, Advisory Committee and is currently serving on the Governmental Relations and Public Policy Board and Perspectives Editorial Review. She is the author of numerous books and standardized test batteries: Auditory Processing Disorders-Third Edition: Assessment, Treatment and Management; The Receptive-Expressive Social Communication Assessment-Elementary; The Auditory Phoneme Sequencing Test; The RIPA series of tests; The Listening Inventory; The Swallowing Ability and Function Test; Aphasia Rehabilitation: An Auditory and Verbal Treatment Hierarchy and The Cognitive-Linguistic Improvement Program. Dr. Swain is an internationally and nationally recognized speaker and author.

Professional Affiliations

• CSHA President 2015-2016
• Legislative Council of the American Speech-Language & Hearing Association (ASHA)
• California Speech-Language & Hearing Association (CSHA)
• California Association of Speech Pathologists and Audiologists in Private Practice (CALSPAPP)
• American Academy of Private Practice Speech Pathologists and Audiologists(AAPPSPA)
• International Dyslexia Association (IDA)
• Council for Learning Disabilities (CLD)

Selected Publications

• Auditory Processing Abilities Test (APAT)
• The Ross Information Processing Assessment-2
• The Ross Information Processing Assessment-Geriatric
• The Ross Information Processing Assessment-Primary
• The Bedside Evaluation and Screening Test
• The Swallowing Ability and Function Test
• The Comprehensive Auditory Processing Abilities Test

Books

• Auditory Processing Disorders
• Aphasia Rehabilitation: Auditory and Verbal Treatment Hierarchy
• Aphasia Rehabilitation: A Reading and Writing Task Hierarchy
• The Cognitive-Linguistic Improvement Program
• The Voice Advantage/Book and 3 Audio Cassettes
• The Voice Advantage/Book and 3 Audio Cassettes
• The Cognitive Linguistic Improvement Program (Clip)
• The Voice Advantage
• The Geriatric Treatment Manual

Dr. Lindsay Swain Lerro

Special Programs and Outreach Coordinator

Specialties

• The Tomatis Method
• Interactive Metronome
• Learning Disabilities
• Speaking to support groups and professionals about Tomatis
• Autism
• Biomedical interventions for autism
• Sensory Integration
• Alternative Therapies

Certifications

• Certified Tomatis Practitioner
• Interactive Metronome Certification

Education

• Ph.D. in Educational – U.C. Davis
• M.A. in Educational Psychology- U.C. Davis
• B.A. in Communications- San Diego State University

Beyond The Swain Center

Lindsay currently resides in Santa Rosa with her husband Brian, son Rex, dog Bella and cat Jack. When not working or studying, Lindsay enjoys spending time with friends and family, cooking, sports, snowboarding, and traveling.

Michelle Chastain, MA, CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

“Happiness is walking in the grass in your bare feet.“ -Lucy Van Pelt

Professional Affiliations

• American Speech-Language & Hearing Association (ASHA)
• California Speech-Language & Hearing Association (CSHA)

Specialties

• Pediatrics/Early Intervention
• Childhood Apraxia of Speech
• Articulation
• Phonological Disorders
• Receptive/Expressive Language Disorders
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Social Skills/Social Thinking©
• Cognitive Disorders
• Parkinson’s (LSVT®)

Training and Certifications

• Certificate of Clinical Competence
  -American Speech-Language Hearing Association
• California Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
• Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT®)
  –Rehabilitative Therapy for People with Parkinson’s
• Interactive Metronome®
  –Improves Motor Planning & Sequencing
• Lindmood Bell-Phoneme Sequencing Program for Reading, Spelling, and Speech
• Kimochis®
• Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) program designed to give children the knowledge, skills and attitudes they need to recognize and manage their emotions

Education

• A. Speech-Language Pathology – California State University, Fresno ‘97
• A. Communication Sciences and Disorders – California State University, Fresno ’94

Beyond The Swain Center

Michelle lives in Santa Rosa, California with her son and Paws As Loving Support (PALS) facility dogs, “Austin” Powers and Princess “Nadia.” She has worked at the Swain Center since 2001. Michelle’s passion is working with children on the Autism Spectrum. She enjoys teaching Social Skills/Let’s Adapt! classes. In 2010, Michelle became an active volunteer and puppy raiser for PALS. She wanted to team up with an assistance dog to help her out with her job at the Swain Center. Austin and Michelle graduated on September 11, 2011 as an Assistance Dog Facility Dog Team. Nadia and Michelle graduated on October 20, 2012 as an Assistance Dog Facility Dog Team. Both Austin and Nadia currently work at the Swain Center. The kids enjoy seeing and working with the dogs during their therapy sessions. In her free time, Michelle loves to snuggle up on the couch and watch movies. She enjoys scrapbooking, reading, gardening, canning, pickling, hiking and camping.

Nicole Cheda, MA, CFY-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

“Never stop learning; for when we stop learning, we stop growing.“ -Loyal ‘Jack’ Lewman

Professional Affiliations

• American Speech-Language & Hearing Association (ASHA)
• California Speech-Language & Hearing Association (CSHA)

Specialties

• Cognitive Disorders
• Pediatrics/Early Intervention
• Articulation
• Phonological Disorders
• Receptive/Expressive Language Disorders
• TinyTalkers^TM
• Lindamood Phoneme

Training and Certifications

• Lindmood Bell-Phoneme Sequencing Program for Reading, Spelling, and Speech

Education

• M.S. Speech-Language Pathology- Abilene Christian University 2021
• B.A. Communication Sciences and Disorders- California State University, Chico 2019

Beyond The Swain Center

Nicole was born and raised on her family dairy farm in Petaluma, California and moved back to California after graduating with her masters from Dallas, Texas. Ever since Nicole was a little, she had a passion to help people. The Swain Center is the ideal place for Nicole as she has the joy to serve the young and aging. In her free time Nicole loves spending time with her family, boyfriend Justan, and sweet pup Carl. When she is not nose deep in a book, you can find Nicole watching sports, or visiting the local wineries and restaurants.

Bri Frazer, BA

Tiny Talkers and Let’s Adapt! Aide

“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.“ -Walt Disney

Specialties

• Early Childhood Development
• Social Skills/Social Thinking
• Autism Spectrum Disorders
• TinyTalkers^TM

Education

• Speech-Language Pathology Post Bacc Program – CSU San Marcos ’21
• B.A. Psychology – Sonoma State University ’20
• A.A. Psychology – Santa Rosa Junior College ’18

Beyond The Swain Center

Bri grew up and lives in Santa Rosa, California with her boyfriend and her dog, Bailey. After interning at The Swain Center in 2020, she realized that this was the field for her. She is now pursuing a Master’s degree in Speech-Languge Pathology and cannot wait to be a speech therapist. Outside of working, Bri loves to hangout with her dog, travel and bake.

Sierra Overton

Let’s Adapt! Aide

“Spread love everywhere you go” – Mother Teresa

Specialties

• Autism spectrum disorder
• Social skills/ Social Thinking
• Early Childhood Development

Education

• B.A. Psychology – Sonoma State University, Graduating December 2018
• Minor Business Administration – Sonoma State University, Graduating December 2018
• A.A. Psychology – Santa Rosa Junior College
• Speech-Language Pathology Post Bacc Program – CSU San Marcos ’21

Beyond The Swain Center

Sierra lives and grew up in Santa Rosa California. She has always enjoyed working with kids starting with coaching soccer and working with young girls in girl scouts. Sierra started her college life at Santa Rosa Junior College and transferred to Sonoma State University after receiving her associates degree. Sierra enjoys anything she can do outdoors being active and hanging out with all her family.

Katie Stone

Listening Center Director, Clinic Coordinator

“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.” —Robert Brault

Specialties

• The Tomatis Method
• Interactive Metronome
• AMPS® Program (Attention, Memory, and Processing Skills)
• Reading Comprehension
• Master the Code®
• Autism

Certifications

• Interactive Metronome
• PACE
• Master the Code
• AMPS
• Lindamood-Bell Visualizing & Verbalizing®
• Lindamood-Bell On Cloud Nine® Math

Education

• B.A. Sociology & Education, University of California, Santa Cruz

Beyond The Swain Center

Katie grew up in Santa Rosa and was very happy to move back to Sonoma County after college. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her wonderful husband and three little boys.

Marie Estrada Comb

Office Manager

“A journey must begin with a single step.“

Beyond The Swain Center

Marie lives in Santa Rosa, with her husband. They have a son and a daughter, who are now all grown up and living on their own. Marie joined the Swain Center in November of 2016. Marie and her family are HUGE SF giants, 49er and Warrior fans, and always enjoy watching the games together. Marie has lived in beautiful Sonoma County for over 30 years. Marie enjoys being an Auntie to all her nieces and nephews, wine tasting, cooking, outdoor activities and spending time with her family and friends.

Cassidy Ramos

Bookkeeper

Laughter is the best medicine.” – Henri de Mondeville

Beyond The Swain Center

Cassidy grew up in Rohnert Park and has spent majority of her life here in Sonoma County. Cassidy started bookkeeping right out of High school and has enjoyed balancing books ever since! She feels passionate about supporting a business that supports the community. In her free time she likes to play with her dog, write, sightsee and eat food.