Anniette (Annie) F. Maldonado, Ph.D., BCBA, PMH-C Clinical Psychologist
Anniette (Annie) F. Maldonado, Ph.D., BCBA, PMH-C, is a licensed Clinical Psychologist specializing in Latina mental health and neurodivergence in the perinatal period. Dr. Maldonado joined the Developing Brain Institute in July 2024 as a Perinatal Psychology Fellow. In July 2025, she was promoted to Perinatal Psychologist in the Zickler Family Prenatal Pediatrics Institute (PPI). In her role, she works across the DC Mother-Baby Wellness Program, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and cardiac intensive care unit (CICU),
and PPI. Dr. Maldonado completed her doctorate degree from the University of Utah; her predoctoral internship in Child Clinical and Pediatric Psychology at Children’s National Hospital; and her postdoctoral fellowship in Perinatal Psychology, also at Children's National.
She has experience and training providing evaluation, therapy and consultation services for children, adolescents and caregivers in outpatient and inpatient medical settings. Dr. Maldonado also is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with expertise in managing children’s challenging behavior and parent training, and she has completed advanced training in perinatal mental health. She currently specializes in providing support to parents during the perinatal period, including coping with complex fetal medical diagnoses and challenging pregnancies, adjustment to hospitalizations in the NICU and CICU, treating perinatal mental health disorders, and navigating new parenthood. Dr. Maldonado also has experience and a special interest in working with autistic individuals.
Dr. Maldonado is a native of Toa Baja, Puerto Rico, and is passionate about addressing accessibility to evidence-based practices for historically underserved communities. Her research focuses on the development, implementation and evaluation of cultural and linguistic adaptations to evidence-based interventions, especially within the Latine community. Dr. Maldonado is currently collaborating on cultural adaptations to a perinatal acceptance and commitment therapy group program and on linguistic and cultural adaptations to the RUBI Parent Training for Disruptive Behavior program.
DC Mother-Baby Wellness Program
Address: 111 Michigan Ave. NW; Washington, D.C., 20010
Email: fetalbrain@childrensnational.org
Department: MRI Lab
Recent publications & presentations
2025 | July
Maldonado AF, Kohrt BK, Aokalani M, Rico A. “Cruzando Fronteras Culturales: Methods for Culturally Adapting Perinatal Mental Health Interventions for Spanish-Speaking Immigrant Patients.” Conference Presentation. 38th Annual Postpartum Support International (PSI) Conference. New Orleans, LA. July 2025.
2025 | May
Maldonado AF, Mercado-Anazagasty J, Torres N, Loria E. “Mas Allá de las Palabras: Culturally and Linguistically Sensitive Behavior Analytic Services for Latine Clients.” Panel Discussion. Association for Behavior Analysis International 51st Annual Convention. Washington, DC. May 2025.
2025 | March
Kohrt BK, Aokalani M, Maldonado A, King B. “Understanding the Mental Health Needs of Latina Immigrant Perinatal Women: Insights From Referrals to the DC Mother-Baby Wellness Program and Perinatal Psychology Services” Poster presentation. Children’s National Hospital 15th Annual Research, Education and Innovation Week. Washington, D.C. March-April 2025.
2023 | November
Nadler CB, Lozzot E, Shafique N, Maldonado AF, Moon N, Bearss K. “Parent training for youth with autism and developmental disabilities: dissemination at home and abroad.” Panelist. Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies 57th Annual Convention. Seattle, WA. November 2023.
2023 | June
Maldonado AF, Fischer AJ, Wright HM, Jensen RL, Coombs A, Mathis SN, Lundy KM, Funn A, Hawken L, Radley KC, Perez L. (2023). “Components of a successful classroom: a factor analysis for initial validation of a measure assessing tier one classroom management.” Assessment for Effective Intervention.
https://doi.org/10.1177/15345084231180477
2023 | April
Maldonado AF and Fischer AJ. “Parents Effectively Addressing Challenging Behavior en Español (PEACE): training and stress supports for caregivers of children with autism in Puerto Rico.” Conference presentation. Simposio de investigación sobre el autismo y el alcance para la población y sus familias. San Juan, Puerto Rico. April 2023.
2023 | March
Maldonado AF, Jensen RL, Fischer AJ. (2023). “Cultural and linguistic adaptations: equitable accessibility to an evidence-based intervention for diverse caregivers.” Ciencias de la Conducta/Behavioral Sciences Journal, 38(1), 41-55.