A Path to Work: Helping Autistic Adults Find Jobs

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 Community Lecture Series and turns them into clear, plain-language conversations so everyone can understand and join the discussion. This episode features Dr. Elizabeth Laugeson, Director of the UCLA Tarjan Center, University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, and 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.Host Holly Oliver, Disability Rights Advocate at the UCLA Tarjan Center, talks with Dr. Laugeson about a new partnership between the UCLA Tarjan Center and the California Department of Developmental Services that is aimed at preparing autistic adults for employment. Together, they discuss:How the DDS-UCLA Partnership helps autistic adults prepare for and get a jobThe benefits of learning advocacy skillsThe Advocacy Academy and PEERS for Careers program and how they play a part in this partnershipShow Notes: To view the entire presentation “ Building Pathways to Employment: the DDS-UCLA Partnership for Autistic Adults" , visit: https://teams.semel.ucla.edu/tarjan/2026-2027-presentationsTo view this podcast with captions, visit: https://youtu.be/tNfU1iAU8yoLearn more about the UCLA Tarjan Center:  https://teams.semel.ucla.edu/tarjanLearn more about the UCLA PEERS Clinic:  https://teams.semel.ucla.edu/peersLearn more about the California Department of Developpmental Services: https://www.dds.ca.gov/