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Tandra Allen, MS, CCC-SLP

Tandra T. Allen, MS is wearing a gray blouse with blue lights. landscape. Close-up. Head of Virtual Training Programs- hero (?)

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.

Key Research & Publications

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.

The Charisma game displayed on a laptop

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.

A happy young girl wears a virtual reality headset while sitting at her laptop.

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.

A happy man in a black shirt wears a virtual reality headset and holds a tablet.

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.

Man in a VR headset inside a living room, holding two VR controllers.

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.

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Phone Number

972.883.3229