Tandra Allen, MS, CCC-SLP
Assistant Director of Research
Tandra Allen has led and developed social-cognitive research studies focused on advancing one’s overall social health. Her clinical research areas include using virtual technology to train social-cognitive skills as well as evaluating the brain systems that change as a result of high-level reasoning training. Currently, Tandra oversees the imaging study within the BrainHealth® Project.
Tandra has led clinical research studies focused on understanding and enhancing one’s social-cognitive abilities as well as overall social health for over 13 years at the Center for BrainHealth. Her research includes development of virtual reality technology as a training tool to deliver high-level social reasoning training. Her work includes the use of fMRI imaging, in collaboration with Yale Child Medicine Center, to evaluate brain metrics of social-cognitive growth related to training.
Charisma: A Virtual Reality Training to Promote Social BrainHealth in Adults
This game-based platform with a clinician-led strategy training protocol helps adults navigate the socially complex interactions they face every day.
Brain Responses to Biological Motion Predict Treatment Outcome in Young Adults with Autism Receiving Virtual Reality Social Cognition Training: Preliminary Findings
Researchers targeted objective neural predictors for treatment outcomes in individuals with ASD.
Virtual Reality Social Cognition Training for Children with High Functioning Autism
Findings from the study suggest that VR training is a feasible approach to improving social skills in high functioning autistic individuals.
Neural Mechanisms of Behavioral Change in Young Adults with High Functioning Autism Receiving Virtual Reality Social Cognition Training: A Pilot Study
Findings from this pilot study provide valuable insights on ways the neuroplasticity of individuals with ASD can be harnessed.
Virtual Reality Social Cognition Training for Young Adults with High-Functioning Autism
Few evidence-based social interventions exist for young adults with high-functioning autism, many of whom encounter significant challenges during the transition into adulthood. The current study investigated the feasibility of an engaging virtual reality social cognition training intervention focused on enhancing social skills, social cognition and social functioning.