Nerissa Hall

Nerissa Hall, PhD, CCC-SLP is cofounder of Commūnicāre, LLC, and the Speech Language and Literacy Center at Tate Behavioral, Inc. Dr. Hall’s love for applied technology started as an undergraduate studying psychology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst where she was encouraged to apply for an internship with the speech-language pathologists working for the Department of Developmental Services (DDS). Her volunteer experience turned into a dual major (psychology and communication disorders) and a speech-language pathology assistant position with DDS, where she assumed responsibility for designing and developing lite-tech augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems, as well as programming and implementing high-tech speech-generating devices for adults with complex communication needs. Dr. Hall went on to get her master’s and PhD degrees from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Her clinical work and experiences, upbringing in Cape Town, South Africa, plus her desire to ensure access to high-quality AAC services irrespective of geographical locale, evolved into her clinical work and research interests focusing on AAC, tele-AAC (AAC service delivery online), and the innovative use and application of current and available technology to support access and enhancement of AAC for people with complex communication needs. During her doctoral program, Dr. Hall cofounded Commūnicāre, LLC (a private practice focusing on AAC), with her mentor and colleague, Hillary Jellison. Together they developed a specialty practice, pioneering innovative AAC assessment, intervention, and consultation work. They extended their reach by incorporating synchronous (real-time) and asynchronous (overtime) telepractice to diversify their methodology and application of clinical services through collaborative research and service delivery. Since graduating, Dr. Hall has continued to grow her practice, merging with behavioral health leaders at Tate Behavioral, where clinical practice is merged with rigorous data collection to systematically explore innovative technologies and refine service delivery outcomes for neurodivergent individuals with complex communication needs, benefiting from AAC. Dr. Hall has presented nationally regarding AAC, tele-AAC, and artificial intelligence (AI). She has served as a LEND Fellow, adjunct faculty at Elms, Cambridge College, and UMass-Amherst. Dr. Hall coedited Tele-AAC: Augmentative and Alternative Communication Through Telepractice and Fundamentals of AAC: A Case-Based Approach to Enhancing Communication, and is passionate about advancing the field to ensure meaningful outcomes for individuals with complex communication needs, those using AAC, and the teams and communities that support them.