The Help Group – UCLA Autism Alliance

 

 

Overview

Overview

Established in 2007, the Alliance is an innovative partnership between The Help Group and the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior and is dedicated to enhancing and expanding clinical research in the education and treatment of those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and to contributing to the development, greater understanding and use of best practice models by researchers, educators and clinicians.

Goals of the Alliance

  • Enhance and expand research in the education and treatment of children and adolescents with ASD
  • Develop educational and clinical evidence-based best practice models for individuals from preschool to young adulthood across the entire range of the autism spectrum
  • Contribute to the greater understanding of best practice models for educators and mental health professionals working with individuals with ASD

Current Areas of Research

  • Interventions using joint attention to improve language development
  • Decreasing social anxiety through cognitive behavioral treatment methods
  • Improving friendship quality and social skills
  • Understanding the neural circuitry involved in processing emotions
  • Examining the powerful impact of music education
  • Parent education in the treatment of ASD

 

Research Studies Currently Recruiting

Research Studies Currently Recruiting

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Research Projects

Ongoing Research Projects

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Publications

Publications

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Download Publication
Impaired Timing and Frequency Discrimination in High-functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders

Anjali Bhatara, Talin Babikian, Elizabeth Laugeson, Raffi Tachdjian, Yvonne S. Sininger

Evidence-Based Social Skills Training for Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders: The UCLA PEERS Program

Elizabeth A. Laugeson, Fred Frankel, Alexander Gantman, Ashley R. Dillon, Catherine Mogil

Social Skills Training for Young Adults with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

Alexander Gantman, Steven K. Kapp, Kaely Orenski, Elizabeth A. Laugeson

Parent-Assisted Social Skills Training to Improve Friendships in Teens with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Elizabeth A. Laugeson, Fred Frankel, Catherine Mogil, Ashley R. Dillon

Autism, Emotion Recognition and the Mirror Neuron System: The Case of Music

Istvan Molnar-Szakacs, Martha J. Wang, Elizabeth A. Laugeson, Katie Overy, Wai-Ling Wu, Judith Piggot

What is Translational Research and Why is it Important in the Treatment of Autism

Elizabeth Laugeson

Conferences & Presentations

Download Publication
Auditory Perception of Timing in Adolescents with ASD

A.BHatara, E.Laugeson, T.Babikian, R.Tachdijian, & Y.Sininger

An ERP Investigation of the Acoustic Change Complex in High-Functioning ASD

A. Bhatara, T. Babikian, E. Laugeson, R. Tachdigian, E. Ballat, & Y.S. Sininger

Who is Key? Can Teachers be Social Skills Instructors too?

Leigh Ann Tipton, Ruth Ellingsen, Lara Tucci, & Elizabeth Laugeson

The Relationship between Social Anxiety and Lonliness among Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Kathryn Fitzpatrick, Tiana Bayrami, Daniel Janulaitis, Yasamine Bolourian, Jessica Hopkins, Elizabeth A. Laugeson

Understanding the Relationship Between Friendship Quality and Peer Conflict Following the UCLA PEERS® School-Based Curriculum

Melissa Wasserman, Meredith Kalies, Ruth Ellingsen, Yasamine Bolourian, Elizabeth A. Laugeson

Predicting Treatment Outcomes of a Teacher-Facilitated Social Skills Intervention for Adolescents with Autism: The School-Based UCLA PEERS Program

Mary Goodarzi, Yasamine Bolourian, Lindsay Henry, Ruth Ellingsen, Lara Tucci, Shannon Bates, Elizabeth A. Laugeson

Improving Social Skills in Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders: The Adaptation of the UCLA PEERS Program into a School-Based Teacher-Assisted Intervention

Ruth Ellingsen, Elizabeth A. Laugeson, Jennifer Sanderson, Jin Lee, Amanda Lenvin, Jennifer McNamara, Fred Frankel

Perceptual Differences Between Young Adults with Autism and their Parents

Steven K. Kapp, Alexander Gantman, Elizabeth A. Laugeson

Psychosocial Treatment Effects of the PEERS Social Skills Intervention for Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Alexander Gantman, Steven K. Kapp, Kaely Orenski, Elizabeth A. Laugeson

Parent-Assisted Social Skills Training Program for Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders: The UCLA PEERS Program

Alexander Gantman, Elizabeth A. Laugeson

Perceptions of Social Functioning in Young Children with ASD: Comparing Parent and Teacher Reports

Michelle B. Jackson, Maile A. Horn, Elizabeth A. Laugeson

Associations of IQ and Autistic Symptomatology with Functioning in Young Adults with ASD: Self- and Parent Report

Steven K. Kapp, Alexander Gantman, Elizabeth A. Laugeson

Increasing Positive Affect and Social Responsiveness in Children and Adoelscents with Autism Spectrum Disorders: The Adaptation of a Music-Based Intervention in a School Setting

Dilshad Tung, Ruth Ellingsen, Lara Tucci, Istvan Molnar-Szakacs, Elizabeth A. Laugeson

Benefits of a Social Skills Intervention in Residential Treatment Settings for Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders: The UCLA PEERS Program
Allison Vreeland, Elizabeth A. Laugeson, Jessica Romeyn, Lara Tucci, Ruth Ellingsen, Alex Friedman
Improving Prosocial Behavior in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders: The Positive Impact of Music Education in the School Setting

Yasamine Bolourian, Lindsay Henry, Mary Goodarzi, Ruth Ellingsen, Lara Tucci, Elizabeth A. Laugeson