UCLA Tarjan Center Forum in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities

2025 annual forum Presentations

Presentation Title

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Opening Remarks

Keynote Presentation: Shaping Tomorrow: A Conversation with the Director of DDS

Presenter: Pete Cervinka, Director, California Department of Developmental Services (DDS)
Moderator: Dr. Elizabeth Laugeson

Panel: Employment for People with Intellectual and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities

Panelists:
Aaron Carruthers: Executive Director, State Council on Developmental Disabilities
Carol Asch: Deputy Director, Employment Division, Department of Rehabilitation
Cindy Liu: Social Business Entrepreneur, Disability Justice Advocate, Parent
Mia Friedman: Self-Advocate, Brand Marketing Assistant
Andrew Black: Self-Advocate, Chemical Manufacturing Operator

Moderator: Dr. Yasamin Bolourian

Featured Presentation: A Positive but Realistic Approach to Development in Autism from 2-34

Presenter: Dr. Cathy Lord
Discussant: The Hartman Family
Moderator: Dr. Rujuta Wilson

Sexuality and Dating on the Autism Spectrum

Presenter: Dr. Blake Warner
Discussant: Mark Bazza
Moderator: Dr. Brandon Ito

Communication Supports: Evidence Based Practices and Considerations in Access

Presenter: Dr. Maya Ayoub
Discussant: Toni Nelli
Moderator: Dr. Jasper Estabillo

Closing Remarks

2025
Presentation Slides and Recordings

UCLA Tarjan Forum in Developmental Disabilities Opening Remarks

Keynote Presentation: Shaping Tomorrow: A Conversation with the Director of DDS

Presenter: Pete Cervinka, Director, California Department of Developmental Services (DDS)
Moderator: Dr. Elizabeth Laugeson

Panel: Employment for People with Intellectual and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities

Panelists:
Aaron Carruthers: Executive Director, State Council on Developmental Disabilities
Carol Asch: Deputy Director, Employment Division, Department of Rehabilitation
Cindy Liu: Social Business Entrepreneur, Disability Justice Advocate, Parent
Mia Friedman: Self-Advocate, Brand Marketing Assistant
Andrew Black: Self-Advocate, Chemical Manufacturing Operator

Moderator: Dr. Yasamin Bolourian

January 12, 2026

Featured Presentation: A Positive but Realistic Approach to Development in Autism from 2-34

Presenter: Dr. Cathy Lord
Discussant: The Hartman Family
Moderator: Dr. Rujuta Wilson

January 12, 2026

Sexuality and Dating on the Autism Spectrum

Presenter: Dr. Blake Warner
Discussant: Mark Bazza
Moderator: Dr. Brandon Ito

January 12, 2026

Communication Supports: Evidence Based Practices and Considerations in Access

Presenter: Dr. Maya Ayoub
Discussant: Toni Nelli
Moderator: Dr. Jasper Estabillo

January 12, 2026

UCLA Tarjan Forum in Developmental Disabilities Closing Remarks

Presenter: Dr. Maya Ayoub
Discussant: Toni Nelli
Moderator: Dr. Jasper Estabillo