Frequently Asked
Questions

ANNA specializes in early childhood diagnostics for ages 1-5 and NDBI-based ABA services for autistic children ages 1-6.

ANNA currently operates centers in Braintree, Foxborough, Sudbury, Wayland, Weston, and Woburn. We look forward to serving additional communities in Massachusetts and beyond in the near future – contact us to find out if we’ll be in your area soon!

Our center is open for services Monday-Friday from 8:00am to 4:30pm. We offer block scheduling with morning (8:00am-12:00pm), afternoon (12:30pm-4:30pm), and full day options.

At this time, ANNA provides only center-based services. Our centers are designed to support naturalistic, play-based learning with opportunities for social interaction and structured support.

ANNA’s clinical model is built on Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBIs), which integrate developmental science with evidence-based behavioral strategies. Services are play-based, child-led, and relationship-centered. 

We also take a neurodiversity-affirming approach, meaning that our goal is not to make children appear less autistic, but to support communication, connection, and wellbeing while respecting each child’s unique way of experiencing the world.

Parent coaching is a structured support model that teaches parents and caregivers practical strategies for supporting their autistic child's development in everyday life. Unlike clinical therapy, parent coaching focuses on building the caregiver's skills and confidence so that learning and connection happen throughout the day, not just during scheduled sessions. At ANNA, parent coaching is embedded into every family's program through our Project ImPACT-based parent coaching model.

Parent coaching is a structured support model that teaches parents and caregivers practical strategies for supporting their autistic child's development in everyday life. Unlike clinical therapy, parent coaching focuses on building the caregiver's skills and confidence so that learning and connection happen throughout the day, not just during scheduled sessions. At ANNA, parent coaching is embedded into every family's program through our Project ImPACT-based parent coaching model.

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You can get started by contacting ANNA directly. No referral is required. Our team will verify your insurance, walk you through the evaluation process, and connect you with a clinical psychologist. We serve families throughout Massachusetts from our centers in Braintree, Sudbury, Wayland, Weston, and Woburn.

At ANNA, autism testing is a multi-session diagnostic evaluation. It includes standardized assessments such as the ADOS-2, a comprehensive developmental history, parent interviews, and observations. The goal is not just a diagnostic conclusion but a full understanding of your child's strengths, profile, and support needs.

Evaluations at ANNA typically involve multiple sessions scheduled over a period of a few weeks, including at least one in-person visit and virtual sessions. After testing is complete, families receive a written report and a feedback session with the evaluating psychologist.

ANNA does not perform standalone autism testing using a single tool. Instead, our clinical psychologists conduct comprehensive diagnostic evaluations that draw on multiple sources of information, including standardized assessments such as the ADOS-2, developmental history, parent interviews, and observations across settings. This approach gives families a more complete and accurate picture of their child than any single screener or test can provide. If you are wondering how to test for autism or whether your child needs a full evaluation, our team is happy to help you understand the process and decide on the right next step.

An autism screening is a brief questionnaire used to identify whether a child may benefit from a closer look. It is not diagnostic. An autism evaluation is a comprehensive, multi-session process conducted by a specialist clinician. It is the only process that can confirm or rule out an autism diagnosis. At ANNA, we offer full diagnostic evaluations for children ages 1 through 5.

If you have concerns about your child's development, communication, or social skills, an evaluation can help you understand their needs.

We can build on existing assessments. Bring any prior reports and we'll incorporate them into your child's individualized plan.

After an initial conversation, most families begin care within a few weeks, depending on insurance verification and scheduling.

Yes - we are in-network with many major providers including Tufts, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Medicare, and more.

Our team includes Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs), licensed psychologists, and Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) trained in NDBI.

Yes - we have multilingual staff and can accommodate families who speak various languages.

We respect both identity-first and person-first language. Different families and individuals have different preferences, and we honor that.