Tanya Paparella, Ph.D.

Dr. Tanya Paparella is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Child Psychiatry at UCLA. She is a licensed clinical psychologist and Co-Director of the UCLA KidsConnect Autism Treatment Program. As a director, she coordinates the comprehensive, multidisciplinary evaluation and treatment for young children on the autism spectrum. Dr. Paparella provides year-round clinical instruction for students, interns, and M.D. residents and fellows from different specialties. She is also a Co-Founder of the UCLA CAN REACH Training Program, which provides community professionals and parents with pro-bono best practice treatment information for individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Her research interests and many publications focus on core differences in social and emotional development, effectiveness of early intervention and predictors of best outcome, and best practice interdisciplinary treatment and curricula for young children on the autism spectrum.