SWAAC is located in Boston, Massachusetts and is owned and operated by Shelley Weiss, MS, CCC-SLP.

We offer comprehensive evaluation and training services for individuals from 18 months on who may benefit from AAC. During our on-site evaluation, we have the client and relevant communication partners interact with a variety of communication enhancement and assistive technology strategies in multiple settings in order to determine which strategies will be most effective.

After we identify the appropriate augmentative communication devices and tools, we work with the client, their family, school, work, and community communication partners to ensure successful operation, customization, and maintenance of the recommended systems. We are strongly committed to teaching all communication partners methods to help the augmented speaker communicate most effectively. Some examples of these methods include: identifying appropriate and motivating contexts, engineering the environment to insure successful communication, teaching appropriate interaction strategies, and using aided language stimulation (picture-symbol immersion).

Email:    swaac@comcast.net
Phone:   (617) 983-1999
Fax:       (617) 522-9862

Shelley Weiss, MS, CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist and special educator. She is the owner and operator of SWAAC, an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) consulting firm, located in Boston, Massachusetts. In addition to managing SWAAC, Shelley has conducted several research projects on the use of AAC and assistive technology for people with disabilities.

Shelley has over 25 years experience in providing AAC services to individuals with complex communication needs in the school, home, community, and hospital settings. From 1994 to 2000, she served as the AAC specialist for the Assistive Technology Center, at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital.

Shelley is an active member of the International Society of Augmentative and Alternative Communication, the United States Society of Augmentative and Alternative Communication, and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She has been published, and has presented her research and ideas both locally and nationally.

EDUCATION
M.S., Communication Disorders, 1993, Emerson College
B.F.A., Fine Arts and Painting, 1986, Massachusetts College of Art
B.S., Special Education, 1980, Syracuse University

Email:    swaac@comcast.net
Phone:   (617) 983-1999
Fax:       (617) 522-9862

Our clients include:

Josh, a 7 year old boy with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. Although he is non-speaking, he can communicate limited basic needs using some gestures.

Solutions: We are teaching a variety of communication strategies to Josh, his family, and his school staff. The strategies include: sign language, a picture-symbol communication book, and use of a hand-held speech generating device.  We are working closely with Josh’s teachers to provide them with the necessary resources to integrate these AAC strategies into the classroom setting.  Josh is also being taught how to use literacy and leisure-time software on his classroom and home computers.

Madison, an 12 year old girl with cerebral palsy. She is non-speaking and unable to move any part of her body without creating severe spasms. She communicates primarily by facial expressions, eye-gaze, and some vocalizations.

Solutions: We are teaching multiple communication strategies to Madison, her family, and school staff. The strategies include eye-gaze topic boards and a eye-blink operated switch that controls a computer-based speech generating device. Madison can also use this device to access and control appliances, such as her VCR, DVD, and television.

Jana, a 13 year old girl who sustained a head injury from a recent car accident. As a result of the accident, she suffers from a motor-speech impairment that renders her speech unintelligible. She is ready to return to school, but does not have an effective means of communication.

Solutions: Jana uses a lightweight, portable, computerized speech generating device in school, in the community, and while using the telephone. We also created a small alphabet and phrase board for Jana as a “backup” system for times when her speech generating is unavailable or inaccessible.

Maggie, a 30 year old woman with cerebral palsy and developmental delay. She is unable to speak, read, or write. She uses a power wheelchair for mobility. She wants to effectively communicate with her family and friends, use the telephone, and attend classes at a community college.

Solutions: We developed a picture-symbol communication book for use with family and friends. We also attached a computerized speech generating device, activated by a touch screen, to her wheelchair, and customized graphic-based communication software to meet Maggie’s needs. This computerized system is serving as both a communication device and as a personal computer.

Edward, a 55 year old man, who has aphasia (language impairment) due to a stroke. Although he understands what is being said to him, he cannot speak, read, or write. He needs to be able to effectively express himself to his wife and children, and to use e-mail to communicate with other family members.

Solutions: Because Edward is unable to read text, we created a communication book using picture-symbols. Edward points to picture-symbols in the book to indicate what he wants to communicate. He is also learning how to use specialized software for people with aphasia. The software provides him with linguistic support enabling him to produce short phrases. He is now able to write short notes and use e-mail.

Email:    swaac@comcast.net
Phone:   (617) 983-1999
Fax:       (617) 522-9862

Weiss, S. (April, 2007). Augmentative and Alternative Communication for the Preschool Setting. Invited lecturer.   Tufts Educational Day Care Center. Medford, Massachusetts.

Ho, K.M., Weiss, S.J., Garrett, K.L., & Lloyd, L.L. (2005). The Effect of Remant and Pictographic Books on the Communicative Interaction of Individuals with Global Aphasia. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 21 (3), 218-232.

Weiss, S. (April, 2005). Augmentative and Alternative Communication Strategies: Enhancing Quality of Life for Adults with Acquired Disabilities. Invited lecturer. Graduate program in Communication Disorders, Northeastern University. Boston, Massachusetts.

Weiss, S. (September, 2001). AAC for Individuals with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Invited lecturer. ALS Association, Massachusetts Chapter, workshop for SLPs and OTs. Dedham, Massachusetts.

Weiss, S., (April, 2000). Augmentative and Alternative Communication Strategies: Enhancing Quality of Life for Adults with Acquired Disabilities. Invited lecturer. Eight hour workshop. Maine Speech and Hearing Association. Portland, Maine.

Weiss, S., Ho, K., Garrett, K, Lloyd, L. (November, 1999). The Effects of Remnant Books on the Communication Behaviors of People with Severe Aphasia. Poster Presentation. American Speech and Language Association. San Francisco, California.

Weiss, S., Frankoff, D. (November, 1999). Video Teleconferencing as a Tool for Assistive Technology Assessment and Intervention. Poster Presentation. American Speech and Language Association. San Francisco, California.

Weiss, S. (October, 1999). AAC and Adults with Acquired Disabilities. Invited lecture. Boston University, Sargent College of Allied Health Sciences. Boston, Massachusetts.

Weiss, S., (May, 1999). Augmentative and Alternative Communication Strategies: Enhancing Quality of Life for Adults with Acquired Disabilities. Invited lecturer. Eight hour workshop. ACT Center, Northampton, Massachusetts.

Weiss, S. (May 1998). Advanced Technology and the SLP. Invited lecture. MGH-IHP. Boston, Massachusetts.

Weiss, S., Girardi, M. (February, 1998). Assistive Technology and Developmental Disabilities. Invited lecture. Newton Public Schools. Newton, Massachusetts.

Weiss, S. (October, 1997). AAC and Adults with Acquired Disabilities. Invited lecture. Boston University, Sargent College of Allied Health Sciences. Boston, Massachusetts.

Weiss, S. (November, 1997). Remnant books and Aphasia: AAC Techniques for the Acute Rehabilitation Setting. Poster Presentation. Poster Presentation. American Speech and Language Association. Boston, Massachusetts.

Weiss, S. (May, 1997). Augmentative and Alternative Communication and Acquired Disabilities. Invited lecture. Northeast Communication Enhancement Group. Boston, Massachusetts.

Weiss, S. (January, 1996). Contemporary Issues in Speech-Language Pathology: Augmentative and Alternative Communication. Invited lecture. MGH-IHP. Boston, Massachusetts.

Weiss, S. (February, 1996). Interdisciplinary Teams and Augmentative/Alternative Communication. Invited lecture. New England Communication Enhancement Group. Waltham, Massachusetts.

Weiss, S. (May, 1996). Alternative Communication Strategies for Children with Cerebral Palsy. Invited lecture. New Beginnings lecture series. Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. Boston, Massachusetts.

Dellea, M., Dowds, M., Girardi, M., Weiss, S. (October, 1996). Accelerating Community Re-Entry Through Assistive Technology. Invited lecture. New Beginnings lecture series. Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. Boston, Massachusetts.

Weiss, S.; (November, 1996). Augmentative and Alternative Communication. Invited lecture. Emerson College. Boston, Massachusetts.

Weiss, S. (November, 1996). Augmentative and Alternative Communication in the Acute Rehabilitation Setting. Invited lecture. Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. Boston, Massachusetts.

Weiss, S. (November, 1996). Contemporary Issues in Speech-Language Pathology: Augmentative and Alternative Communication. Invited lecture. MGH-IHP. Boston, Massachusetts.

Weiss, S. (September, 1995). Interdisciplinary Teams and Augmentative and Alternative Communication. United States Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication. Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana.

Weiss, S. (June 1995). Invited lecture. Emerson College. Boston, Massachusetts.

Weiss, S. ( May, 1995). Interdisciplinary Teams and Assistive Technology. Invited lecture. Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.

Nicholas, M., Baker, E., Weiss, S. , Elliot, S. (November, 1994). Computerized Communication Strategies for Persons with Aphasia. American Speech-Language Association. New Orleans, Louisiana.

Email:    swaac@comcast.net
Phone:   (617) 983-1999
Fax:       (617) 522-9862

assistive technology manufacturers
Dasher Project (”keyboard-free” typing)

disability links
ALS Association
Angelman Syndrome
Apraxia
Autism Society of America
Cerebral Palsy
Down Syndrome
Head Injury/Stroke/Brain Association of America
Rett Syndrome