2015-2016 Presentations
June 15th 2016
Amanda Gulsrud, Ph.D., Professor in Psychiatry, Clinical Director, Child and Adult Neurodevelopmental Clinic, UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior. Dr. Gulsrud presented “Longitudinal Outcomes and Service Needs for Adults on the Autism Spectrum”. Her presentation covered an understanding of the contextual factors related to development in adulthood, current evidence base for behavioral intervention and the complex service needs of adults with ASD.
May 18th, 2016
Aarti Nair, PhD, Clinical Instructor and Postdoctoral Scholar, Ahmanson-Lovelace Brain Mapping Center, UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior. Dr. Nair presented “Neuroimaging Insights into Early Risk for Autism” to a large audience. Her presentation talked about the role of a crucial subcortical structure, i.e., the thalamus in ASD, how early in the developmental process these atypical subcortical networks emerge in high-risk populations and how biomarkers may relate to early identification and intervention.
April 20th, 2016
Blair Paley, PhD, Director of the Early Childhood Core (ECC) for the Nathanson Family Resilience Center and Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Dr. Paley presented “Building Self-Regulation in Children with Brain-Based Difficulties: A Family School Readiness Program for Children with Prenatal Alcohol Exposure and Trauma" to a large audience. Her presentation described the behavioral, socioemotional and learning challenges experienced by children with histories of prenatal alcohol exposure/and or trauma, the core elements of a family school readiness intervention (SEEDS-ER) for at risk children, and the benefits of using nature-based exploration to promote positive parent-child relationships and parent involvement in children's early learning experiences.
March 16th 2016
Karen Sze Wood, PhD, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Staff Research Associate. Dr. Sze Wood presented on “Modified CBT for Anxiety in School-Aged Children with ASD: Strategies for Treatment” to a standing-room only audience. Her presentation was about co-morbid anxiety disorders in children with ASD, an overview of evidence-based research on CBT for children with ASD, and the application of CBT strategies for children with ASD and anxiety.
February 10th, 2016
Dr. Olivia Raynor, PhD, Director, Tarjan Center at UCLA; Adjunct Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences. Dr. Raynor presented “Raised Expectations and Opportunities for Transitional Age Youth with Developmental Disabilities” to a standing-room only audience. Her presentation covered new vision and expectations in federal and state policies for youth with DD to achieve independent living, community living and employment; what the new “norm” for transition services and supports will look like; and strategies and recommendations for self advocates, families, educators, and professionals for increasing employment.
January 20th, 2016
Tom Weisner, PhD, Professor of Anthropology, Emeritus, Departments of Psychiatry and Anthropology at UCLA. Dr. Weisner presented “Culture and Autism” to a standing-room only audience. His presentation covered some of the findings from social and cultural research on disability and autism; methods from sociocultural research that will help to understand autism and family responses; and what might help to provide a culturally-aware informed engagement with families and children with autism.
November 18th, 2015
Bruce Baker, PhD, serves as a Distinguished Research Professor in the Department of Psychology and is the former Chair of the Department of Psychology. Dr. Baker presented “Children with Intellectual Disabilities from Preschool to High School: Lessons Learned about Problems, Parenting, and Positivity.” to a standing-room only audience. His research interests focus on childhood psychiatric disorders and services for children and families.
October 28th, 2015
Susan Bookheimer, PhD, holds the Joaquin Fuster Chair in Cognitive Neurosciences and is a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Department of Psychology. Dr. Bookheimer presented “Translational Research in Developmental Disabilities: What It Is and Why We Do It.” to a standing-room only audience. Her presentation covered what is meant by translational research, genetic models of disease and molecular techniques in studying disease models and why they are important.
