Team

Dr. Elizabeth Laugeson is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior and is a licensed clinical psychologist. Dr. Laugeson is the Director of the UCLA Tarjan Center, University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, and is the Founder and Director of the UCLA PEERS Clinic, which is an outpatient hospital-based program providing parent-assisted social skills training for individuals from preschool to adulthood. She also serves as the Program Director for the Predoctoral... more

Jennifer Arnold (she/her) is the Director of Operations for the UCLA Tarjan Center, where she oversees daily operations and ensures the achievement of the Center’s short- and long-term goals and objectives. Jennifer provides high-level managerial support to faculty, staff, and trainees, while offering strategic guidance to the Director and executive team. In her role, Jennifer plans, implements, and leads key initiatives, and provides oversight of data and grant progress reporting for the Center's contracts and grants.

Prior to her work at the Tarjan Center, Jennifer was the... more

Jasper A. Estabillo, Ph.D., is the Director of Training at the UCLA Tarjan Center and Psychologist in the UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Program. She received her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Louisiana State University and completed her pre- and post-doctoral training at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior and UCLA Department of Psychology. She has worked with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families in a variety of research and clinical settings, and she has extensive experience... more

Dr. Rujuta B. Wilson is a pediatric neurologist specializing in autism spectrum disorders and related neurodevelopmental disorders. She is an Assistant Professor in Psychiatry at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine and the UCLA Center for Autism Research and Treatment (CART). Dr. Wilson is the Director of Research for the UCLA Tarjan (UCEDD) Center. Dr. Wilson's NIH funded research is focused on developing quantitative methods of motor phenotyping to improve characterization of atypical motor development, better understand how atypical motor skills can impact cognition and... more

Brandon Ito, MD, MPH completed his undergraduate degree in Human Development with dual minor studies in Psychology and Healthcare & Social Issues from UC San Diego and medical training at the UC Irvine School of Medicine. He completed an additional masters degree in public health (MPH) at the Harvard University with a concentration in Family and Community Health. Dr. Ito completed his adult psychiatry training at UC San Francisco and his child & adolescent psychiatry fellowship at New York University.

Dr. Ito is passionate about medical education and teaching, LGBTQ... more

Dr. Yasamin Bolourian, Ph.D., is the Director of Outreach and Dissemination at the UCLA Tarjan Center and Senior Research Supervisor at the UCLA PEERS Clinic. She received her doctorate in Education from the University of California, Riverside. Dr. Bolourian's research interests cover a wide range of topics related to neurodiversity, including postsecondary outcomes for neurodivergent students and service pathways for autistic youth and their families in both community and school settings. Dr. Bolourian is on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Intellectual Disability Research.... more

Christine T. Moody, Ph.D., leads the postsecondary education and employment initiatives at the UCLA Tarjan Center. Specifically, she is involved with multiple partnerships with the California Community College Chancellor's Office and California Department of Rehabilitation, providing training and technical assistance to support those serving young adults with developmental disabilities, such as autism and intellectual disability, in these systems. In addition to these roles, Dr. Moody is the Director of Research at the UCLA PEERS Clinic, facilitating and publishing research on the... more

Lauren Clark, PhD, RAN, FAAN, is Professor, Shapiro Family Endowed Chair in Developmental Disability Studies and Associate Dean, Academic Programs at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Nursing. She serves as a member of the Tarjan Center Advisory Committee. As a nurse-anthropologist, Dr. Clark draws on her background as a public and community health nurse to inform her research. She studies health care experiences of Mexican American women and children and families of children with developmental disabilities. Using participatory research methods, she developed a... more

Dr. Catherine Lord is the George Tarjan Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry in the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. She is a practicing clinical psychologist whose primary focus is autism and related disorders across the lifespan from toddlers through adulthood. Her research and clinical work are aimed at improving methods of identifying strengths and difficulties in individuals with possible ASD and working with families and individuals to maximize independence and well-being for all concerned. This has involved the development of diagnostic instruments (the Autism Diagnostic... more

Kecia Weller is the Tarjan Center’s Advocacy and Community Liaison. Kecia serves as a liaison with self-advocates and their networks and the programs and activities of the Tarjan Center. She represents the Tarjan Center at local and state meetings as requested by the Director. She assists and supports the work of the Tarjan Advisory Committee. She serves as the liaison to Self-Advocacy Statewide Network.

Holly is the Self Advocate and Community Liaison for the UCLA Tarjan Center. She graduated from The University of Arizona with a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis on Art, Media, and Entertainment. She is passionate about advocacy after serving as an intern during college. She has also been involved in several programs at the UCLA PEERS Clinic, including PEERS for Young Adults, PEERS Bully Proofing Boot Camp, and PEERS for Careers.

She was recently selected to become an advisory committee member for SARTAC (Self Advocacy Resource and Technical Assistance Center).... more

Resheda Patterson (she/her/hers) is the UCLA Field Work Supervisor for the Luskin School of Public Affairs, Social Welfare. She supervises two MSW interns providing social service support to families in the Center for Cerebral Palsy. Resheda believes she was destined to be a social worker and educator and has had the pleasure of serving “those who need her the most” for over 20 years. Ms. Patterson’s work experience ranges from working with the Department of Children and Family Services, Boys & Girls Clubs, and various non-profit organizations. She’s provided support to her community... more

Steph Tuazon, LCSW (she/they/siya) is a Field Work Supervisor in the Luskin School of Public Affairs Social Welfare Department, where she provides educational support to an MSW student at the Special Patient Care Clinic in the School of Dentistry at UCLA. They are always learning, un-learning, and challenging what’s “normal.” The core of their philosophy is treating people as people. She sees each individual as a result of intricate interactions within a flawed system, valuing their humanity over any perceived “brokenness” or medical label. With optimism, Steph eagerly anticipates a... more

Dr. Maya Ayoub, MD, EdM is a Clinical Instructor in Child Neurology at UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital, as well as a current Fellow in Medical Education and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities. Prior to joining the medical field, Maya worked as a Clinical Developmental Associate in an intensive outpatient therapy program in California for autistic children, and children with neurodevelopmental disabilities; from there, she focused her studies on the overlap between educational accommodations, neurodevelopment, and the healthcare system through her Special Studies Program at Harvard... more

Russell Lehmann is an internationally recognized speaker, poet, author, and advocate for autism, mental health, and disabilities. His work has transformed lives across the globe, inspiring acceptance, resilience, and understanding. With a compelling narrative shaped by overcoming profound struggles, Russell challenges stereotypes, fosters inclusion, and advocates for systemic change.