Podcasts

October 23, 2025

Episode 25 – Communication Supports for People with Intellectual and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities

This episode features Dr. Maya Ayoub, a child neurologist at UCLA Children’s Hospital and faculty member at the UCLATarjan Center. Host Russell Lehmann, International Disability Rights Advocate at the UCLA Tarjan Center, talks with Dr. Ayoub about how communication develops and how we can support people with different communication needs.

Together, they discuss:

  • How autistic and neurodivergent individuals learn and use language in unique ways
  • What communication support is and the different types of communication supports
  • What research shows us about who benefits from these supports
  • Barriers that can make it hard for people to get the communication help they need
  • How families, teachers, doctors and therapists can work as a team to support communication
  • What is in store for the future that will help make communication easier for people with disabilities

Listen now to hear how hear more about how understanding and supporting all forms of communication helps build connection and inclusion.

Tarjan Center

In Other Words

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.