Anna A. Allen (she/her), PhD, CCC-SLP

A smiling Caucasian woman in her 40s with brown eyes and long brown hair; the words "Committed to Connection" are overlaid onto the photo and it has a seal at the bottom from the American Speech-Language-Hearing association reading, "ASHA Certified."

I’m an ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist with a PhD and more than 20 years of experience. I’m passionate about creating individualized, evidence-based visual supports that make communication more vibrant for autistic and neurodivergent learners, and partnering with their families and with the schools and teams that support them.

Woman pointing at a colorful playground with slides, bridges, and ladders, with a cartoon character Elsa from Frozen on one of the bridges, and a drawing of a bridge and a ladder with labels.

My Clinical Philosophy

I provide trustworthy, family-centered care.

Good relationships with clients and families are the foundation of my clinical work. I encourage family members to be an integral part of the therapy process.

Photograph of a woman with long, wavy brown hair, smiling, standing next to a research poster on a dark wall background. She is wearing a dark blazer over a patterned blouse with a lanyard around her neck.

I am dedicated to evidence-based practice.

When working with my clients, I apply my many years of clinical expertise, my understanding of the research literature, and my doctoral-level training in research design, data collection, and interpretation.

Colorful squares arranged in a grid over a background of grass and flowers. Two of the squares are partially tilted, revealing images of Paw Patrol cartoon characters Mayor Goodway and Zuma hidden behind the squares.

I value neurodiversity.

I understand that there are many ways in which people process information, express themselves, and contribute to the world. I focus on strengths, not deficits.

Diagram of the solar system showing the sun, planets, and their orbits, positioned above a fill-in-the-blank language exercise in which the sizes of Jupiter and Earth are compared by circling the word "bigger" and not circling the word "smaller."

I respect my clients' special interests.

Embracing special interests and incorporating them into therapy activities promotes engagement, joy, and real meaning in my sessions with clients, which in turn helps clients make concrete progress in their communication skills.

Elmo, a red furry puppet character with big eyes and an orange nose, jumping on a trampoline on a beach, with picture symbols next to the main image that visually represent the words "Who? Elmo; What? Jumping; Where? Beach."

I welcome you and your child without judgement, whoever you are.

I am a heart-centered person with an open mind. I want to learn about you and your child, what's important to your family, and how I can help.

Education

  • BA in biology and psychology, Smith College, 1999

  • MS in Communication Sciences and Disorders, Mass General Brigham University (MGBU, formerly the MGH Institute of Health Professions), 2003

  • PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences, mentored by Dr. Howard Shane, a pioneer in augmentative and alternative communication technology, MGBU, 2019

After graduating, I spent many enjoyable years as an SLP in a public elementary school. When the first iPhone came out in 2007, parents began asking whether it could be an educational tool, and I became fascinated by how mobile technology could help the autistic kids I worked with. That curiosity led me back to graduate school in 2012. My dissertation explored how mobile technology affects autistic kids and their families, how to adapt speech-language evaluation and treatment to videoconference, and how digital visual supports affect direction-following. I follow the research literature closely so the visual supports and online therapy we explore together are grounded in evidence.

Professional background

I served as a clinical instructor for master’s students and as a doctoral fellow at Boston Children’s Hospital, then became Director of Research, Training, and Development at Puddingstone Place, an outpatient clinic formerly based in Wellesley. When it merged with Autism Care Partners during the COVID-19 pandemic, I transitioned to providing services exclusively by telepractice. Over 20 years, I’ve developed clinical programs, managed therapy staff, mentored graduate students, chaired team meetings, trained caregivers, and taken part in research in schools, clinics, and homes. Learn more about my published research here.

Experience

Outside of work

I enjoy time with my husband, our son, and our two cats. I love nature, animals, yoga, embroidery, reading, and gardening.

Ready to get started?

Whether you’re a parent, educator, or part of a care team, let’s start with a free 20-minute conversation.

Book a free consult