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.

Taylor Baldry, M.S., CCC-SLP

Clinical Supervisor, Speech-Language Pathologist

“A career in speech-language pathology challenges you to use your intellect (the talents of your mind), in combination with your humanity (the gifts of your heart), to do meaningful work that feeds your soul.” -Megan Hodge

Professional Affiliations

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

Specialties

• Early Intervention
• TinyTalkers™
• TARPSing™
• JAGuAR™
• Articulation
• Phonological Disorders
• Receptive/Expressive Language Disorders
• Down Syndrome
• Childhood Apraxia of Speech
• Social Skills/Social Thinking©
• Social Pragmatic Development

Certifications & Trainings

• California Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (SP#24138)
• Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) –American Speech-Language Hearing Association
• Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential
• Clinical Supervision Continuing Education
• Kimochis®
• Michelle Garcia Winner’s Social Thinking®

Education

• M.S. Communicative Disorders – San Francisco State University ‘15
• B.A. Communicative Disorders – San Francisco State University ‘13
• A.A. Social and Behavioral Sciences – Santa Barbara City College ‘11

Beyond The Swain Center

Taylor was born and raised in Sonoma County and was led to the field of Speech Pathology through her love for working with children and her passion for singing. After her final internship at The Swain Center in spring of 2015, Taylor knew this was the place for her! She has been here ever since, completing her clinical fellowship in spring of 2016, supervising interns and clinical fellows in late 2017, and becoming the clinical supervisor in March 2018. In her free time, Taylor loves to travel, travel, travel! She’s always planning her next adventure.

Jennifer Villasenor-Robledo, M.A., CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

“What we think, we become.” -Buddha

Professional Affiliations

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

Specialties

• Early Intervention
• Bilingual/Spanish Therapy
• Articulation
• Phonological Disorders
• Receptive/Expressive Language Disorders
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• TinyTalkers™

Certifications

• Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) –American Speech-Language Hearing Association
• California Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology

Education

• A. Speech-Language Pathology – San Jose State University ‘16
• S. Speech Language Pathology and Audiology – California State University, Sacramento ’13
• A. Social and Behavioral Sciences- Santa Rosa Junior College ‘10

Beyond The Swain Center

Jennifer was born and raised in Calistoga, California and was thrilled to be able to move back to Napa Valley after college. Ever since she can remember, she has always enjoyed being around children and knew at an early age that working with kids would be in her future. She enjoys spending time with her family, being active and driving along the coast of California.

Taylor VanBebber, MA, CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

“If you set goals and go after them with all the determination you can muster, your gifts will take you places that will amaze you.” –Les Brown

Specialties

• Pediatrics
• Feeding/Swallowing
• Oral Motor
• Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Social Skills/ Social Thinking©
• Articulation
• Phonological Disorders

Certifications

• American Speech Speech-Language & Hearing Association (ASHA) Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC)
• AEIOU: Systematic Approach to Pediatric Feeding
• Beckman Oral Motor

Education

• M.A. Speech-Language Pathology – Wichita State University ‘18
• B.S. Communicative Disorders– San Francisco State University ‘16

Beyond The Swain Center

Taylor was born and raised in Santa Rosa, California and moved back to California after spending 5 years in Kansas for school. Ever since Taylor was little she had a passion to help people, she knew that she would work with kids. She enjoys spending her free time with her family, going to the lake, or being with her dog Cooper.

Amanda Courdy, M.S., CF-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

Professional Affiliations

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

Specialties

• Early Intervention
• Articulation
• Phonological Disorders
• Receptive/Expressive Language Disorders
• TinyTalkers™
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Social Skills/Social Thinking©
• Cognitive Disorders
• Social Pragmatic Development

Certifications

• California Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (SP#14531)
• Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential

Education

• M.S. Communicative Disorders – San Francisco State University ‘20
• B.A. Communicative Disorders – San Francisco State University ‘18
• A.A. Social and Behavioral Sciences – Santa Rosa Junior College ‘15

Beyond The Swain Center

Amanda, a recent graduate from San Francisco State University, completed her final internship at The Swain Center in May 2020, and is thrilled to be back and working full time as a Speech-Language Pathologist! Outside of work, Amanda enjoys traveling with her fiancé and spending time with her family, friends, and two loveable labs.

Aubriahn Baez, B.A., SLPA

Speech-Language Pathology Assistant

Professional Affiliations

• California Speech-Language & Hearing Association (CSHA)

Specialties

• Early Intervention
• Childhood Apraxia of Speech
• Articulation & Phonological Disorders
• Receptive/Expressive Language Disorders
• Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Tiny Talkers Group Therapy

Certifications

• California State License Speech Language Pathology Assistant -Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology & Hearing Aid Dispensers Boards

Education

• Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) program – Loma Linda University 2019
• B.A. Communicative Disorders – San Francisco State University 2017
• A.A. Social and Behavioral Sciences – Chaffey College 2015
• A.A. Arts and Humanities – Chaffey College 2015

Beyond The Swain Center

Aubriahn was born in Santa Rosa, California, but grew up in Southern California with her three sisters. Aubriahn spent the 2017-2018 school year teaching abroad in American Samoa where she found her passion of helping children from all different cultures and backgrounds. In her free time Aubriahn enjoys singing, playing volleyball, and spending as much time at the beach as possible.

Alison Ramos, B.S., SLPA

SLPA Speech-Language Pathology Assistant

Specialties

• Early Intervention
• TinyTalkers™
• Social Skills/Social Thinking©
• Articulation & Phonological Disorders
• Receptive/Expressive Language Disorders
• Autism Spectrum Disorders

Training & Certifications

• California State License Speech Language Pathology Assistant -Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology & Hearing Aid Dispensers Boards
• Lindamood Bell-Phoneme Sequencing Program for Reading, Spelling, and Speech
• Kimochis®

Education

• Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) program – Loma Linda University 2020
• B.S. Speech Pathology and Audiology– University of Nevada, Reno ‘18
• Minor in Developmental Disabilities – University of Nevada, Reno ‘18

Beyond The Swain Center

Alison grew up in Sonoma County and attended the University of Nevada, Reno for her undergraduate studies. Alison worked at The Swain Center as a speech-language pathologist aide for both Tiny Talkers and Let’s Adapt before becoming a licensed speech-language pathology assistant. She has a passion for supporting, advocating and helping children of all ages and abilities. Alison enjoys spending her free time in Lake Tahoe hiking or snowboarding in the winter. She also enjoys working out, spending time with her friends and listening to podcasts.

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

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.

Gina Peil

Program Aide

“We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do” – Mother Teresa

Specialties

• Early Childhood Development

Education

• Psychology B.A. & Sociocultural Linguistics Minor – University of California, Santa Barbara
• A.A. Psychology for Transfer- Santa Rosa Junior College

Beyond The Swain Center:

Gina was born and raised in Sonoma, California but has recently moved to Santa Rosa, California. She has always enjoyed working with children, starting with teaching swim lessons and volunteering with various youth education programs during her time at UC Santa Barbara. Outside of work, Gina enjoys surfing, listening to music, traveling, and playing board games with family and friends.

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 E Estrada

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 Rodriguez

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.