UCLA Tarjan Center

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UCLA Tarjan Center

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A University Center for Excellence in Disabilities Education, Research and Service.

The Tarjan Center is part of a national network of University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs).Founded in 1969, the Tarjan Center is unique in the national network. It is the only program based within a Department of Psychiatry (the Jane & Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior). Our founder, Dr. George Tarjan, was an internationally recognized expert in the field of developmental disabilities who pioneered clinical services, the training of personnel, and the establishment of a research center dedicated to the field of intellectual disabilities.Today, the Tarjan Center is a bridge connecting the knowledge, expertise and resources of the university to persons with disabilities and the service delivery systems of the community.

10/28/2026

Join us for the next UCLA Tarjan Center Community Lecture Series!

On Monday, November 9, Dr. Aarti Nair will present, “Neural Changes in Autistic Youth Following the PEERS Social Skills Program.”

This free virtual lecture will explore how a social skills program may change the brain in autistic youth.

Monday, November 9, 2026 12:00-1:30 PM PT
Free and live on Zoom

Live interpretation will be available in ASL, Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Korean, and Tagalog, with Zoom auto-captioning available in 35 languages.

Register using the link in our bio / flyer.

10/21/2026

A glimpse into our forum presentation “Considerations of Neurodiversity Affirming Education: K - 12 and Beyond.”

Before the 2026 UCLA Annual Forum, we sat down with Dr. Jan Blacher for a conversation on our In Other Words podcast. In this forum episode, Dr. Blacher shares how neurodiversity affirming teaching practices and strong teacher-student relationships positively impact the neurodiverse student and the entire classroom.

Our Annual Forum is this Friday, October 23!

🔗 Register today – Link in bio

🎙️ The full podcast will be available on Spotify and our website after the forum.

10/20/2026

A glimpse into our forum panel: “Mental Health and Lived Experience.”

Before the 2026 UCLA Annual Forum, we sat down with Dr. Kashia Rosenau, Training Director at UC-LEND, for a conversation on our In Other Words podcast.

In this episode, Dr. Rosenau discusses how mental health is an essential part of whole-person wellness and highlights the importance of belonging and self-determination in supporting mental health.

Join us on Friday, October 23, to hear more from Dr. Rosenau and our esteemed panelists!

🔗 Register today — link in bio

🎙️ The full podcast will be available on Spotify and our website after the forum

10/19/2026

🎙️ A new episode of In Other Words is now available!

In this episode, host Holly Oliver sits down with Dr. Dorothy Wiley to talk about the HPV vaccine, how it can prevent cancer, why people with disabilities may experience barriers to vaccination, and how research and community partnerships can support informed vaccine choices.

In Other Words is our plain-language podcast series focused on making information from our lectures accessible and useful to everyone.

🎧 Listen now by scanning the QR code or visiting the link in the flyer.

10/16/2026

A glimpse into our Forum afternoon keynote presentation:

Before the 2026 UCLA Tarjan Center Annual Forum, we sat down with Dr. Tony Attwood, for a conversation about mental health and well-being in neurodevelopmental disabilities.

In this Forum edition podcast, Dr. Attwood shares how social media can provide community support for individuals struggling with mental health.

One week until the Forum! Join us on October 23 to hear more from Dr. Attwood and all our presenters.

🔗 Register today! Link in bio.

🎙️ The full conversation on In Other Words will be available on Spotify after the Forum.

10/14/2026

Our September Community Lecture Series, featuring Dr. Dorothy Wiley, Professor at UCLA School of Nursing, is now available on our website. Dr. Wiley presented
“From Under Vaccination to Trust & Engagement: A Community-Partnered Pathway to Vaccine Equity.” This lecture explored how the HPV vaccine helps prevent cancer, why some people with disabilities may experience barriers to vaccination, and how research and community partnerships can support informed vaccine choices.

Community discussant Kathleen Barajas, Founder and President of Project Air, also joined the conversation to share her perspective and lived experience.

If you couldn’t join us live, you can stream the full recording now. Recordings are available in English, Spanish, Korean, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese and Tagalog. All recordings feature an American Sign Language interpreter.

Scan the QR code or visit: https://teams.semel.ucla.edu/tarjan/2026-2027-presentations

10/14/2026

A glimpse into our Forum panel”Who do you trust? Navigating Myths and Misinformation in Disability Spaces.”

Before the 2026 UCLA Annual Forum, we sat down with Andy Imparato, CEO of Disability Rights California, for a conversation on our In Other Words podcast. In this Forum episode, Andy shares about the importance of trusting your lived experience when navigating information online.

Join us on Friday, October 23 to hear more from Andy Imparato and all the esteemed panelists!

🔗Register today - link in bio

🎙️The full podcast will be available on Spotify and our website after the forum.

10/14/2026

Hot off the press! The upcoming UCLA Tarjan Center Forum featured on Newswise 📰

Learn more about the conversations ahead, from improving disability services to navigating misinformation, supporting mental health, and advancing neurodiversity-affirming education.

Join us virtually on Friday, October 23!
Free and open to everyone.

🔗 Scan the QR code to read the article
🎟️ Register through the link in our bio

10/12/2026

A glimpse into our Forum keynote;

Before the 2026 UCLA Tarjan Center Forum, we sat down with Pete Cervinka, Director of the California Department of Developmental Services, for a conversation on our In Other Words podcast. In this Forum Edition episode, Pete shares the importance of bringing different voices to the table and his plans to build better disability services.

Less than two weeks until the Forum!

🔗 Register today – link in bio.

🎙️The full conversation on In Other Words will be available on Spotify.

10/10/2026

This World Mental Health Day, we’re highlighting two back-to-back sessions on mental health at our upcoming UCLA Tarjan Center Forum: a keynote with Dr. Tony Attwood and a panel featuring professionals and people with lived experience.

Join us to hear about mental health needs, gaps in support, and opportunities to improve care.

📅 Friday, October 23, 2026
💻 Virtual

Swipe to learn more about both sessions, and register at https://bit.ly/4fsSJ7O

Link in the bio

Address

760 Westwood Plaza 58-228 Semel Institute
Los Angeles, CA
90095

Website

http://www.semel.ucla.edu/tarjan, https://koji.to/k/8zjZ

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