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. How Text Messages and Support from Others Help Families of Children with Autism

    3d ago

    How Text Messages and Support from Others Help Families of Children with 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 Distinguished Lecture Series and turns them into clear, plain-language conversations so everyone can understand and join the discussion. This episode features Dr. Yue Yu, an assistant professor at the UC Davis MIND Institute. Host Holly Oliver, Disability Rights Advocate at the UCLA Tarjan Center, talks with Dr. Yu about how mobile tools such as text messages and support from others can help families of children with autism. Together, they discuss: Why caregivers should participate in early autism intervention treatment plansWhat Mobile treatment programs are and how they can help caregivers and families of autistic childrenResources to help caregivers and families of children with autismListen now to hear Dr. Yu explain how caregiver engagement is crucial for effective early autism intervention and how programs like the FANS (Family/Friend Network Support) Mobile program, can lead to better outcomes for young autistic children and their families. Show Notes: To view the entire presentation “ Supporting Caregiver Engagement in Early Autism Interventions: A Mobile Approach” with captions, visit: https://teams.semel.ucla.edu/tarjan/2025-2026-presentations To view the podcast with captions, visit: https://youtu.be/D6GAr-vc-sU To access the resources Mind the Gap Family Resource Live Binder, visit: https://www.livebinders.com/play/play/2302351?tabid=a323a6f0-6ba2-41f6-b987-930b94bb38d0 Learn more about the UCLA Tarjan Center: https://teams.semel.ucla.edu/tarjan

    23 min
  2. The Power of Music for Autistic Students

    May 18

    The Power of Music for Autistic Students

    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 Distinguished Lecture Series and turns them into clear, plain-language conversations so everyone can understand and join the discussion. This episode features Dr. Ifunanya Nweke, Founder and Executive Director of Jazz Hands for Autism. Jazz Hands for Autism provides music education for autistic individuals and training for educators. Host Holly Oliver, Disability Rights Advocate at the UCLA Tarjan Center, talks with Dr. Nweke about how music performance can help autistic learners develop resilience, courage, and social connection. Together, they discuss: The difference between listening to music and performing musicHow music performance can have a positive impact on autistic learners and their caregiversThe Jazz Hands Educator Training program Show Notes: To view this podcast episode with full captions, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZE94jhxuHc To view the entire presentation, You Can't Have Inclusion Without Music: How Performance Based Music Education Transforms Outcomes for Autistic Learners and Creates Systems-Level Change visit https://teams.semel.ucla.edu/tarjan/2025-2026-presentations Learn more about Jazz Hands for Autism and the work they do: https://www.jazzhandsforautism.org/ Learn more about the UCLA Tarjan Center: https://teams.semel.ucla.edu/tarjan

    23 min
  3. Anxiety and Autism

    May 9

    Anxiety and 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 Distinguished Lecture Series and turns them into clear, plain-language conversations so everyone can understand and join the discussion. This episode features Dr. Patrcia Renno, a clinical psychologist at the University of California, Los Angeles CAN Clinic and an Assistant Clinical Professor at UCLA who works with children and adults with autism. Host Holly Oliver, Disability Rights Advocate at the UCLA Tarjan Center, talks with Dr. Renno about people with autism who also struggle with anxiety. Together, they discuss: The most common types of anxiety seen in autistic individuals What CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) is and how it can helpHow Modified CBT can work better for people with autismResources for people with autism who also struggle with anxiety Listen now to hear Dr. Renno explain how CBT has strong evidence for treating anxiety in individuals with autism. Show Notes: To view the entire presentation “ Anxiety and Autism Spectrum Disorder” with captions, visit: https://teams.semel.ucla.edu/tarjan/2025-2026-presentations To view this podcast episode with full captions, visit: youtube.com/watch?v=NGNJhD7HouE&feature=youtu.be To view the Autism and Anxiety resources discussed in today's episode, visit:https://teams.semel.ucla.edu/sites/default/files/pdf/in_other_words_autism_and_anxiety_resources.pdf Learn more about the UCLA Tarjan Center: https://teams.semel.ucla.edu/tarjan

    16 min
  4. Listen to All Family Voices to Help Children With Disabilities

    Apr 10

    Listen to All Family Voices to Help Children With 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 Distinguished Lecture Series and turns them into clear, plain-language conversations so everyone can understand and join the discussion.This episode features Dr. Claudia Dunn, a leading researcher in social-emotional learning (SEL) and educational equity. Host Holly Oliver, Disability Rights Advocate at the UCLA Tarjan Center, talks with Dr. Dunn about a social-emotional, equity-focused approach to supporting children with disabilities and their families.Together, they discuss: - What Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CLD) families are and the role of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) in special education- What barriers affect families’ participation in Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) meetings- How culture, language, and policy shape access and equity- Why centering family voices matters 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 Distinguished Lecture Series and turns them into clear, plain-language conversations so everyone can understand and join the discussion.This episode features Dr. Claudia Dunn, a leading researcher in social-emotional learning (SEL) and educational equity. Host Holly Oliver, Disability Rights Advocate at the UCLA Tarjan Center, talks with Dr. Dunn about a social-emotional, equity-focused approach to supporting children with disabilities and their families.Together, they discuss: - What Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CLD) families are and the role of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) in special education- What barriers affect families’ participation in Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) meetings- How culture, language, and policy shape access and equity- Why centering family voices mattersListen now to hear Dr. Dunn explain how centering family voices and lived experience can improve systems and create more inclusive support.Show Notes: To view this podcast episode with full captions, visit: https://youtu.be/1XeQiYBCp2g To view the entire presentation “Centering Voices, Strengths, and Healing: A Social-Emotional and Equity-Focused Approach to Supporting Children with Disabilities and Their Families” with captions, visit: https://teams.semel.ucla.edu/tarjan/2025-2026-presentationsLearn more about the UCLA Tarjan Center: https://teams.semel.ucla.edu/tarjan

    18 min
  5. Why Autism is Often Missed in Girls and Women

    Mar 5

    Why Autism is Often Missed in Girls and Women

    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 Distinguished Lecture Series and turns them into clear, plain-language conversations so everyone can understand and join the discussion.This episode features Dr. Ingrid Tien, a BRIDGES-funded postdoctoral research fellow at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. Host Holly Oliver, Disability Rights Advocate at the UCLA Tarjan Center, talks with Dr. Tien about sex and gender-based diagnostic disparities in Autism. Together, they discuss: - How sex and gender are represented differently in autism research- How stereotypes and testing biases affect autistic diagnoses- How to take meaningful and impactful steps toward developing inclusive and accurate assessmentsListen now to hear Dr. Tien explain how sex and gender shape autism diagnosis and why inclusive assessment matters for achieving equitable care for everyone.Show Notes: To view this podcast episode with full captions, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPqFFSCE7oU To view the entire presentation, Sex and Gender Based Disparities in the Autistm Diagnostic System visit https://teams.semel.ucla.edu/tarjan/2025-2026-presentations Learn more about the UCLA Tarjan Center: https://teams.semel.ucla.edu/tarjan

    20 min
  6. Employment for People with Intellectual and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities

    10/23/2025

    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

About

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.