Who is the Asheville Area Aphasia Support Group?
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The AAASG was founded in 2002 by Edna Tipton out of the need to provide her husband, George, with ongoing help for his aphasia when his health insurance no longer covered services. Since then, this not-for-profit group has grown in numbers of attendees and expanded the services offered.
Our members are men and women of all ages, from diverse backgrounds. We offer diagnosis, therapy, and support for those with Aphasia, as well as for family and friends.
We also strive to raise awareness locally, with a goal of making Asheville, NC the most Aphasia friendly city in the world!
Janet Bennett, M.Ed. is a Certified Speech/Language Pathologist. Her master’s degree is from UNC-Greensboro. Ms. Bennett has over 36 years experience as a Speech Pathologist and is the Owner of Asheville Speech Associates in Asheville, N.C. More information is available HERE.
Nancy Helm-Estabrooks, Sc.D., CCC-SLP is Professor Emeritus and former Brewer-Smith Distinguished Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Western Carolina University. She is Board Certified by the Academy of Neurologic Communication Disorder (ANCDS). Her awards include American Speech and Hearing Association and ANCDS Honors. She is an ASHA Fellow. Dr. Helm-Estabrooks has published over 100 peer-reviewed papers, seven books, 21 chapters, and six standardized tests.
Bill Neeriemer is owner of Speech & Voice Clinic of WNC in Asheville with contracts at the Veterans Affairs Hospital and Asheville Head Neck & Ear Surgeons. He has been a speech-language pathologist since 1980. Most of his career has been evaluating and treating persons with aphasia, brain injury, head and neck cancer, voice disorders and swallowing. He is volunteering as coordinator of new members and supervisor of students with the Asheville Aphasia Group.
Toni Savell, M.Sc., CCC-SLP is a licensed and certified Speech-Language Pathologist who has volunteered with Asheville Area Aphasia Support Group since 2009. A graduate of Western Carolina University, she holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders with specialty training from the Communication Disorders Program in Severe Disabilities. Her professional experience includes service as a therapist with Jackson County Public Schools and Communication Therapies, Inc. and as a clinical supervisor for Western Carolina University Speech and Hearing Clinic.
Edna Tipton - Director of the Asheville Area Aphasia Support Group and Co-Leader of the Friends and Family Support Group.
