The Autism Seminar & Discussion (ASD) series – sponsored by UC Santa Barbara’s Koegel Autism Center and the Santa Barbara Public Library – will present its next session on Tuesday, February 11, 6 – 7:30 pm in the Santa Barbara Public Library’s Faulkner Gallery, and features both a panel discussion and Q&A.
Maria Jimenez, a doctoral student in UCSB’s Department of Counseling, Clinical & School Psychology (clinical emphasis), will lead the session “Un Espectro Cultural: Una Discusión Sobre las Experiencias Diarias Que Vive Una Familia Latina Con El Autismo.” (“A Cultural Spectrum: A Discussion on the Daily Experiences of Latino Families Living with Autism.”)
Crecer en una familia Latino/a nos dota de ciertos valores culturales. Este panel de miembros Latino/a de nuestra comunidad se centrará en explorar cómo estos valores afectan la crianza de un niño con Trastorno del Espectro Autista. Los temas a debater incluirán el papel de la relaciones familiares y los retos diarios que se ven obligados a afrontar. Además, abordaremos cómo esos mismos valores pueden convertirse en una fortaleza a la hora de navegar el mundo el del autismo. Junto con una presentadora del Koegel Autism Center, el panel de padres y familiares compartirá sus experiencias como miembros Latino/a de esta comunidad. El panel se conducirá y moderará en español.
Growing up in a Latino/a family gives us certain cultural values. This panel of Latino/a members of our community will focus on exploring how those values affect the upbringing of a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Topics to be discussed will include the role of family relationships and the daily challenges they face. In addition, we will address how those same values can become a strength when navigating the world of Autism. Along with a presenter from the Koegel Autism Center, the panel of parents and family members will share their experiences. The panel will be both moderated and conducted in Spanish.
The Koegel Autism Research and Training Center is dedicated to improving the lives and prognoses of children with autism, as well as the lives of their families. It has been recognized by the National Academy of Sciences for its innovative research and teaching methods in a variety of areas, including parent education, language development, and teacher education. It offers a state-of-the-art behavioral approach to autistic children. The Koegel Autism Center is part of The Gevirtz School at UC Santa Barbara.
The monthly Autism Seminar & Discussion (ASD) Program is made possible through collaboration between UCSB’s Koegel Autism Center and the Santa Barbara Library to bring highly engaging and informative content to the local community. It takes place the first Tuesday of each month during the academic school year. The Santa Barbara Public Library is at 40 E. Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara.
Maria Jimenez is a doctoral student in the Clinical Psychology emphasis working with Dr. Ty Vernon. She earned a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Miami in 2016 and a M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis from the University of Miami in 2017. Her research interests include the design and dissemination of early parent training interventions for families with children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). She is also interested in understanding how to improve treatment access, engagement and outcomes for culturally diverse and under-served families of children with ASD.