In Other Words is a podcast from the UCLA Tarjan Center where people with intellectual and neurodevelopmental disabilities interview researchers, policymakers, and experts in the field of developmental disabilities. Each episode takes presentations from the Tarjan Center Annual Forum in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities and turns them into clear, plain-languageconversations so everyone can understand and join the discussion.

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:

o How autistic and neurodivergent individuals learn and use language in unique ways

o What communication support is and the different types of communication supports

o What research shows us about who benefits from these supports

o Barriers that can make it hard for people to get the communication help they need

o How families, teachers, doctors and therapists can work as a team to support communication

o 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.

Show Notes:

Learn more about the UCLATarjan Center: https://teams.semel.ucla.edu/tarjan

View recordings and slidesfrom the Annual Forum on Neurodevelopmental Disabilities