About Us
We will strive to provide the most effective clinical services possible. We will gain current information on the latest techniques and research available that will enhance the communication skills of our clients.
We will work collaboratively with all professionals involved in the care of our clients.
We will serve as a resource to the families that we serve.
We must enjoy working with children and their parents. We will provide an environment that is nurturing as well as stimulating. We will respond to the needs of each client and their parents.
We must practice excellent communication skills to better interact and relate with the parents and other professionals involved with our clients. We will be compassionate and kind.
We must love what we do in order to remain enthusiastic and passionate about our work.
Meet the Team
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. Currently, Dr. Swain is ASHA Vice President for Government Affairs and Public Policy. 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 a 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 Honors and 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 is Fellow of ASHA and currently serves as Editor of ASHA SIG 17 Perspectives Journal. She is a Distinguished Scholar and Fellow of the National Academies of Practice. 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. She was the producer of 200 by 2, and information video for physicians on communication development in 2-year-olds. Dr. Swain has served on ASHA’s Legislative Council, Advisory Committee and is former chair of the Governmental Affairs and Public Policy Board and Perspectives Editorial Review. She is Fellow of the Association for ASHA and Editor of SIG 17’s Perspectives Journal.
Her most recent publication, Confidence and Joy: Success Strategies for Kids with Learning Differences is an Amazon bestselling books. 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.
Lindsay Lerro, PhD
Program Director and Outreach Coordinator
Dr. Lindsay Lerro is the Special Programs and Outreach Coordinator at The Swain Center. Lindsay earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications in 2001 from San Diego State University. After completion of her bachelors degree, Lindsay began providing a variety of complimentary therapies to children with Autism and learning disabilities. During this time, Lindsay became "addicted" to helping neurodiverse populations and wanted to see that all children had access and opportunities for post secondary education. As a result of this passion, Lindsay received her Masters degree from UC Davis in Educational Psychology on 2013 followed by her doctoral degree in 2017 in Learning and Mind Sciences, also from UC Davis. Lindsay wears many hats at The Swain Center which include supporting group classes, implementing The Tomatis Method®, Interactive Metronome® and planning our Community Integration Programs. In addition to working at The Swain Center, Lindsay also works in the Disability Resources Department at the Santa Rosa Junior College, where she the coordinator of the College to Career Program. This program supports students with Intellectual Disabilities and Autism in their quest to obtain a postsecondary education. When not at work, Lindsay enjoys spending time with her husband Brian and sons, Rex and Cal.
Michelle Chastain, MA, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Social Skill / Let’s Adapt! Director
Michelle Chastain earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Pathology in 1994 and Master of Arts degree in Speech Pathology in 1997 from California State University, Fresno. Michelle is licensed by the state of California and is certified by the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA). She has attended training courses in the 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, and Kimochis®-Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) program designed to give children the knowledge, skills and attitudes they need to recognize and manage their emotions. Michelle has experience working with individuals of all ages addressing the following areas of communication: receptive, expressive, and social pragmatic language, articulation and phonological disorders, apraxia of speech, fluency, voice disorders, and providing relationship-based therapy for neurodiverse individuals. Michelle loves to spend time with her son and four dogs.
Nicole Cheda, MS, CCC-SLP
Clinic Director and Early Intervention Supervisor
Nicole Cheda earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders in 2019 from California State University, Chico and Master of Science degree in Speech Pathology in 2021 from Abilene Christian University-Dallas. Nicole is licensed by the state of California and is certified by the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA). Nicole Serves as our Early Intervention Coordinator, overseeing pediatric group services including but not limited to: TinyTalkersTM, Little Language Builders, Speech Bridge, and TARPSing. Nicole additionally services as The Swain Centers Clinical Coordinator. She has attended training courses in Lindamood Bell-Phoneme Sequencing Program for Reading, Spelling, and Speech (LIPS). Nicole has experience working with individuals of all ages addressing the following areas of communication: receptive, expressive, and social pragmatic language, articulation and phonological disorders, cognitive disorders, literacy, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). In addition, Nicole has experience with the adult population in the following areas: speech and language disorders, aphasia, and cognitive-linguistic impairments. Nicole is passionate about supporting her clients and their families with their functional communication goals and providing a personalized therapy experience.
Zoe St. John, M.S., CF-SLP
Zoe St John earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders at California State University, Sacramento in 2018 with a minor in Child Development. She continued at CSU Sacramento, earning her Master’s of Science in Speech Pathology in 2022. She has spent over a decade working with children including working as a preschool teacher and earning her Early Childhood Education credential. She has also worked as an Early Intervention Specialist, Dyslexia Reading Specialist and has enjoyed her time working as a travel nanny. Zoe provides bilingual speech therapy in Spanish and French. She has attended special training courses for Child Learning and Language Development, Pediatric Feeding Disorders, the Barton System for Reading, ADHD and Executive Functioning, Gestalt Language Learning for children with autism, and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). Zoe works with both children and adults and has enjoyed providing care for clients with autism, ADHD, pediatric feeding disorders, articulation and phonological disorders, bilingual language developmental disorders, apraxia, voice disorders, transgender voice therapy, aphasia, and cognitive-linguistic impairments. She is passionate about collaborating with families and providing exceptional services focused on relationships and building confidence through a growth mindset approach with her pediatric and adult clients. Zoe was born and raised in Sonoma County, and lives in Glen Ellen. In her free time she enjoys spending time outdoors, walking her dog, gardening and reading.
Tom Bishop, CCC
Adult Services
Thomas Bishop, MS, CCC-SLP offers 35 years of experience to the populations he serves. Tom is a licensed speech pathologist in four states (AZ, CA, NV, & TX) and a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and California Speech Language Hearing Association (CSHA).
Tom has a variety of professional interests that largely revolve around education and the adult population including swallowing, disorders of communication, and cognition. These areas of interest extend into specific professional interests that involve cognition, optimizing cognitive function, interpersonal relations, conflict management and resolution, and leadership. Tom has received honors and accomplishment awards from multiple organizations and has been commended on exemplary record of public leadership and community service through Senate Resolution with the State of California, and in recognition of outstanding and invaluable service to the community and dedication to public safety was provided the Certificate of Congressional Recognition by the United States Congress.
Tom holds many certifications in the field of cognition and adult rehabilitation that include Board Certified Cognitive Specialist (BCCS), Board Certified Telepractice Specialist (BCTS), Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP), Certified Montessori Dementia Care Professional (CMDCP), CARES Dementia Specialist (CDS), Certified Alzheimer's Disease Dementia Care Trainer (CADDCT), Certified First Responder Dementia Trainer (CFRDT), LSVT LOUD Certification, LSVT eLOUD Telepractice Certification, and MoCA Cognitive Assessment Certification.
Marie Estrada Comb
Office Manager
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 adores her grandson Luca and enjoys being an Auntie to all her nieces and nephews, wine tasting, cooking, outdoor activities and spending time with her family and friends.
Cassidy Ramus
Finance Coordinator
With a background in billing and receiving, Cassidy supports all clients and staff with their billing needs. With local roots, 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 excelled in finance ever since! She feels passionate about supporting a business that supports the community. In her free time she spends time with her husband and pets, writes, sight sees and enjoys exploring culinary treasures.