The Koegel Autism Center's primary research mission is to partner with the autism community to increase our understanding of neruodivergence and effective support strategies to improve the lives of individuals, parents, and families.
Most of our research projects offer therapy, intervention, or support at no cost to participating individuals or families.
All research participation is voluntary. The center and its researchers has received past funding from state agencies, the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense, the Department of Education, Autism Speaks, Organization for Autism Research, the Autism Science Foundation, as well as private donors.
We are currently recruiting for the following research studies:
The UCSB Koegel Autism Center is now recruiting families of children with autism spectrum disorder (ages 12 months to 59 months) for a research study focused on parent-child interactions and autism intervention.
Eligible families will receive multiple developmental assessments, record parent-child play videos, and receive 12 months (4 hours/week) of a motivation-based, personalized intervention known as Pivotal Response Treatment that focuses on improving social engagement and language.
Families will be compensated $50 for each of three developmental assessments: one at intake, after 6-months, and after 12-months.
Children must have an existing diagnosis of autism and have limited language use (i.e. be nonverbal or primarily use single words to communicate).
Parents will participate in an initial series of 10 in-person one-hour training sessions and then will transition to a 4 hour/week program (1-hour parent intervention training session and 3 hours of clinician-child sessions per week). Families must also live within 45 minutes of UCSB.
All research is voluntary. Families may discontinue at any time without penalty.
Interested? Complete our PROJECT INTEREST FORM and our team will reach out to you.
Questions? Email autism@ucsb.edu or call 805.893.2049
Do you have an autistic child ages 5-17?
Do they primarily use an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) program or device to communicate?
Do you live locally?
The UCSB Koegel Autism Center is conducting a study exploring the potential benefits of teaching youth to use an AI-enhanced alternative AAC program that provides adaptive response choices based on the current question or topic of conversation, potentially enhancing their ability to more accurately express their needs, desires, opinions, and interests.
Qualifying families will complete a series of video-recorded parent-child and clinician-child video probes before being provided with 15 hours of training over 4-8 weeks in the AI-enhanced AAC program. Families will be compensated $160-$220. Families must live locally (within 45 minutes of the UCSB Campus).
Research participation is completely voluntary. Participants and caregivers are able to discontinue at any time without penalty.
All research is voluntary. Families may discontinue at any time without penalty.
Interested? Complete our PROJECT INTEREST FORM and our team will reach out to you.
Questions? Email autism@ucsb.edu or call 805.893.2049
The UCSB Koegel Autism Center is recruiting children ages 7-11 to participate in our T4S Program (Teach4Speech). Both children with and without autism are welcome to participate.
Children will learn speech skills focused on building confidence, vocalizing ideas, and interacting with peers across 10 sessions (twice a week for five weeks).
All research is voluntary. Families may discontinue at any time without penalty.
Interested? Complete our PROJECT INTEREST FORM and our team will reach out to you.
Questions? Email autism@ucsb.edu or call 805.893.2049
Learn more about the curriculum at https://teach4speech.com/ and about the study by emailing Jasmine at venkatagiri@ucsb.edu.
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Social Tools And Rules for Teens (The START Program)
A social interaction group for teens on the autism spectrum. Eligible teens will participate in an online or in-person program that features peer-facilitators, self-tracking of key skills, fun activities, social outings, and weekly interactive lessons. For more information, click the button below.
Help Us Create a Neurodiversity-Affirming Program for Adults
The Dating & Deeper Relationships Advisory Group is a collaborative, neurodiversity-affirming research project designed to gather input from autistic adults about relationships, connection, and community well-being.
This advisory group brings together autistic adults to share perspectives on friendships, family relationships, romantic relationships, intimacy, and communication in a respectful, structured group environment. Advisory group feedback will be used to co-design a future relationship-focused community program, including decisions about program content, structure, accessibility features, and delivery format.
The focus of this project is collaboration and consultation, not therapy or skills training.
Advisory Group Structure
A small advisory group of approximately 9 autistic adults will meet to share lived-experience perspectives on relationships and connection.
Participants will be invited to take part in:
- One 60-minute advisory session per week
- For approximately 8-10 weeks
Meetings will be held primarily in person at the UCSB Koegel Autism Center, with the option to participate via Zoom when needed for accessibility.
Participation focuses on sharing perspectives and feedback only; no intervention or treatment is provided.
Compensation: Participants will receive $20 for each advisory group meeting attended.
Complete our Online Interest Form to sign up.
Email autism@ucsb.edu or call 805.893.2049 for more information or to see if you qualify.
The Autismo en Confianza Lab, led by Assistant Professor Fernanda Castellón focuses on Latine/x family experiences with autism.
