Here at ANNA, we are on a mission to make neurodiversity-affirming care accessible for all families. We share many of the concerns that autistic individuals, families, and professionals have shared about traditional ABA approaches, and we are committed to doing things differently.
We firmly believe that autism is a natural form of human diversity, and is not something to be fixed or corrected. We value and celebrate the uniqueness of every child and family in our community by affirming strengths and interests, respecting individuality, and building skills that support autonomy and wellbeing.
In our work with children, we prioritize the development of self-advocacy skills, support all forms of communication, and commit to meeting and accommodating sensory needs. Using a naturalistic and play-based approach, we follow the child’s lead and create meaningful opportunities for engagement, learning, and connection in ways that feel authentic and enjoyable to them.
We are committed to supporting autistic children in ways that respect their interests, strengths, needs, and self-identity, rather than focusing on compliance or encouraging children to mask their autistic traits. This approach allows children to feel safe and valued for who they are, which is critically important for healthy development.
Neurodiversity-affirming services, such as those provided at ANNA, help children feel secure and understood, reducing stress and allowing them to participate more fully in learning and social interactions. When a child feels unconditionally loved and accepted, they are more likely to explore, connect, and build skills that support their growth in a way that aligns with their unique strengths. By prioritizing felt safety and authentic connections, neurodiversity-affirming services support a positive and authentic developmental journey.
At ANNA, we believe that neurodiversity-affirming care should be accessible to all families. We accept MassHealth and nearly all commercial insurance plans, ensuring that cost is not an obstacle to high-quality, neurodiversity-affirming care. We also provide interpreter services for all languages so that every family can communicate comfortably and confidently, and we offer scheduling options that accommodate working parents. Every child deserves support that respects their identity, and every family deserves access to that support without unnecessary barriers.
