Ellen Hanson, PhD

Dr. Ellen Hanson is a Developmental Psychologist, Behavioral Specialist and Researcher. She is an expert in the diagnosis and treatment of children who have significant developmental disabilities. Within this area, she also has a specific interest in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with whom she was worked with for over 20 years.

Dr. Hanson travels nationally and internationally to train professionals in the use of phenotyping measures, developmental assessment tools and behavioral interventions for clinical and research use with children. Dr. Hanson has developed and run numerous programs at Children’s Hospital Boston, including large studies involving individuals with ASD and related disorders; social skills enhancement programs and educational programs for parents. Additionally, she has developed an undergraduate training program at Children’s for students who are interested in pursuing careers as future specialists in developmental disability.

Dr. Hanson is involved in numerous research projects which involve the differential diagnosis of autism; the genetic and environmental influences on ASD, particularly 16p11.2 deletion; adjustment of siblings of individuals with ASD; and behavioral difficulties occurring in children with autism.

Former Members

NameFormer RoleCurrent Position
Elizabeth Baroni, MAResearch AssistantDoctoral Student (Psychology), University of Maine
Aislyn Cangialose, BAResearch AssistantGraduate Student (Nurse Practitioner), Yale University
Justice Clark, MPH Sr. Project Manager
Caroline Davit, BSResearch AssistantGraduate Student (Speech-Language Pathology), Boston University
Jonathan Doerr, BAData ManagerUS Department of Justice
Anna Ehler, BAResearch AssistantEditorial Assistant, Wiley Publishing
Alexa Fong, BAResearch AssistantGraduate Student (Social Work), University of Hawaii
Kayla Greenberg, BAResearch AssistantGraduate Student (Nurse Practitioner), Boston College
Heather Harris, MSProject ManagerClinical Manager, DNA Direct
Rachel Hundley, PhDStudy PsychologistPsychologist, Vanderbilt University
Roberto Iturralde, BAResearch Assistant 
Lindsay Jackson, BAResearch AssistantResearch Assistant, University of Michigan Autism and Communication Center
Amanda Johnston, BAResearch AssistantGraduate Student (Occupational Therapy), University of North Carolina
Ashley O'Connor, MSWResearch Assistant 
Mona Shahab, MAResearch AssistantProgram Manager, Saudi National Mental Health Survey, Prince Salman Center for Disability Research
Celia Tam, MAResearch Assistant