In Other Words

Tarjan Center

The UCLA Tarjan Center’s podcast features Q&A-style discussions with speakers from our Distinguished Lecture Series. Hosted by Kecia Weller, Senior Disability Rights Advocate, and Holly Oliver, Disability Rights Advocate, the podcast aims to make this content more accessible to our community. The lecture series is designed to expand awareness of emerging research and interventions, highlight disparities impacting underserved populations, and explore how public policies and practices influence the inclusion and well-being of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

  1. Employment for People with Intellectual and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities

    23-10-2025

    Employment for People with Intellectual and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities

    In Other Words is a podcast from the UCLA Tarjan Center where people with intellectual and neurodevelopmental disabilities interview researchers, policymakers, and experts in the field of developmental disabilities. Each episode takes presentations from the Tarjan Center Annual Forum in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities and turns them into clear, plain-languageconversations so everyone can understand and join the discussion. This episode features Aaron Carruthers, Executive Director of California’s State Council on Developmental Disabilities. Host Holly Oliver, Disability Rights Advocate at the UCLATarjan Center, talks with Aaron about employment for people with intellectual and neurodevelopmental disabilities. Together, they discuss: o  What having a job means for people with disabilities o  Barriers to finding and keeping a job o  How the State Council partners with employers and communities to improve access to employment o  Advice for employers about hiring people with disabilities o  What makes him hopeful about the future of inclusive employment in California Listen now to hear more about how employment for people with disabilities is a civil right and empowers people to lead change in their communities and workplaces. Show Notes:   Learn more about the UCLA Tarjan Center: https://teams.semel.ucla.edu/tarjan View recordings and slides from the Annual Forum on Neurodevelopmental Disabilities

    22 min
  2. A Conversation with the Director of California's Department of Developmental Services

    23-10-2025

    A Conversation with the Director of California's Department of Developmental Services

    In Other Words is a podcast from the UCLA Tarjan Center where people with intellectual and neurodevelopmental disabilities interview researchers, policymakers, and experts in the field of developmental disabilities. Each episode takes presentations from the Tarjan Center Annual Forum in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities and turns them into clear, plain-languageconversations so everyone can understand and join the discussion. This episode features Pete Cervinka, Director of California’s Department of Developmental Services (DDS). Host Russell Lehmann, International Disability Rights Advocate at the UCLATarjan Center, talks with Pete about his vision for the future of developmental services in California. Together, they discuss: What services in California could look like in the next 10–15 yearsHow DDS is working toward fairness for people of all backgrounds, languages, and incomesThe challenges the system faces as the needs of people with disabilities changeWhat updates and new ideas are most neededExciting new projects and reasons to be hopeful for the future Pete shares how data, family, and culture all play a role in building better, community-based supports for every stage of life. Listen now to hear how California’s developmental-services system is evolving to better support people with disabilities and their families. Show Notes: Learn more about the UCLA Tarjan Center: https://teams.semel.ucla.edu/tarjan View recordings and slides from the Annual Forum on Neurodevelopmental Disabilities

    27 min
  3. Sexuality and Dating on the Autism Spectrum

    23-10-2025

    Sexuality and Dating on the Autism Spectrum

    In Other Words is a podcast from the UCLA Tarjan Center where people with intellectual and neurodevelopmental disabilities interview researchers, policymakers, and experts in the field of developmental disabilities. Each episode takes presentations from the Tarjan Center Annual Forum in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities and turns them into clear, plain-languageconversations so everyone can understand and join the discussion. This episode features Dr. Blake Warner, Postdoctoral Fellow at the UCLA Tarjan Center and Chief Clinical Fellow at the PEERS® Clinic. Dr. Warner’s work focuses on advocacy, inclusion, and supporting equality for neurodiverse people, including those with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. Host Holly Oliver, Disability Rights Advocate at the UCLATarjan Center, talks with Dr. Warner about the common myths surrounding sexuality on the autism spectrum. Together, they discuss: Why open conversations about dating and sexuality matter for autistic peopleCommon myths about autism and relationships —and why they’re not trueHow sex and relationship education can promoteconfidence and safetyBarriers that can make dating difficult forautistic individualsWays to build healthy, respectful relationshipsResources and programs that provide helpfulsupportListen now to hear Dr. Warner share why everyone deserves to learn about relationships and have the chance to build healthy, happy connections. Show Notes:• Learn more about the UCLA Tarjan Center: https://teams.semel.ucla.edu/tarjan• View recordings and slides from the Annual Forum on Neurodevelopmental Disabilities • Learn more about the UCLA PEERS clinic: https://teams.semel.ucla.edu/peers

    14 min
  4. Communication Supports for People with Intellectual and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities

    23-10-2025

    Communication Supports for People with Intellectual and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities

    In Other Words is a podcast from the UCLA Tarjan Center where people with intellectual and neurodevelopmental disabilities interview researchers, policymakers, and experts in the field of developmental disabilities. Each episode takes presentations from the Tarjan Center Annual Forum in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities and turns them into clear, plain-languageconversations so everyone can understand and join the discussion. This episode features Dr. Maya Ayoub, a child neurologist at UCLA Children’s Hospital and faculty member at the UCLATarjan Center. Host Russell Lehmann, International Disability Rights Advocate at the UCLA Tarjan Center, talks with Dr. Ayoub about how communication develops and how we can support people with different communication needs. Together, they discuss: o  How autistic and neurodivergent individuals learn and use language in unique ways o  What communication support is and the different types of communication supports o  What research shows us about who benefits from these supports o  Barriers that can make it hard for people to get the communication help they need o  How families, teachers, doctors and therapists can work as a team to support communication o  What is in store for the future that will help make communication easier for people with disabilities Listen now to hear how hear more about how understanding and supporting all forms of communication helps build connection and inclusion. Show Notes: Learn more about the UCLATarjan Center: https://teams.semel.ucla.edu/tarjan     View recordings and slidesfrom the Annual Forum on Neurodevelopmental Disabilities

    19 min
  5. Lifespan Development in Autism

    23-10-2025

    Lifespan Development in Autism

    In Other Words is a podcast from the UCLA Tarjan Center where people with intellectual and neurodevelopmental disabilities interview researchers, policymakers, and experts in the field of developmental disabilities. Each episode takes presentations from the Tarjan Center Annual Forum in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities and turns them into clear, plain-languageconversations so everyone can understand and join the discussion. This episode features Dr. Catherine Lord, the George Tarjan Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry and Education at UCLA’sDavid Geffen School of Medicine. Dr. Lord is a clinical psychologist whose groundbreaking work has shaped how autism is understood and diagnosed across the lifespan. Host Holly Oliver, Disability Rights Advocate at the UCLA Tarjan Center, talks with Dr. Lord about her research of individuals with autism across the lifespan. Together, they discuss: o  How autism can be identified as early as age 2 o  What long-term studies show about autism development from childhood to adulthood o  How emotions, reading and comprehension rates relate to growth and independence o  Why family, caregivers and environment are key to support o  What hopeful and realistic approaches to autism look like today Listen now to hear Dr. Lord share insights from her decades of research, training, and clinical work, highlighting how early diagnosis and support can help individuals with autism reach their full potential. Show Notes: Learn more about the UCLA Tarjan Center: https://teams.semel.ucla.edu/tarjan   View recordings and slides from the Annual Forum on Neurodevelopmental Disabilities To read more about Dr. Lord and her research: https://seis.ucla.edu/faculty/catherine-lord/

    11 min

Info

The UCLA Tarjan Center’s podcast features Q&A-style discussions with speakers from our Distinguished Lecture Series. Hosted by Kecia Weller, Senior Disability Rights Advocate, and Holly Oliver, Disability Rights Advocate, the podcast aims to make this content more accessible to our community. The lecture series is designed to expand awareness of emerging research and interventions, highlight disparities impacting underserved populations, and explore how public policies and practices influence the inclusion and well-being of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.