The next event in the monthly Autism Seminar & Discussion (ASD) series—sponsored by UC Santa Barbara’s Koegel Autism Center and the Santa Barbara Public Library—is “Promoting Well’Being in Caregivers of Individuals with Autism.” The event, which is free and open to the public, is on Tuesday, May 1 from 6:30 - 8 pm at the Faulkner Gallery at the Santa Barbara Public Library, 40 E. Anapamu St. This hour-long presentation, followed by a Q & A session, will focus on supporting the well-being of parents and caregivers of individuals with autism.
This presentation will encourage resiliency in caregivers by providing practical self-care strategies as well as emphasizing the importance of supportive communities. Participants will also learn about local resources including the ongoing Parent Education and Support Group offered by the Koegel Autism Center.
Anna Krasno will lead the presentation. Dr. Krasno is the Clinical Director of the Koegel Autism Center. She oversees the clinical training and supervision of the Autism Center staff as well as designs and implements clinical service initiatives. Krasno is a licensed psychologist and obtained her Ph.D. in Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology (clinical emphasis) from UCSB. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford University. Her post-doctoral training was completed at Child Abuse Listening and Mediation (CALM) in Santa Barbara, CA.
The monthly Autism Seminar & Discussion series 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 will take place the first Tuesday of each month.
The Koegel Autism Center is internationally recognized for its innovative autism research and clinical training. The center is part of the University of California, a not-for-profit state institution of higher learning. Led by Center Director Dr. Ty Vernon and Clinical Director Dr. Anna Krasno, the center focuses on the development and implementation of strength-based, motivational interventions and supports for individuals and families affected by autism spectrum disorders. Intervention models developed at the center include the Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) and the Social Tools And Rules for Teens (START) programs.
The center provides diagnostic assessments, intervention services, parent support, and clinical training opportunities through its funded research projects and clinics. It provides research and clinical training to doctoral students in clinical psychology and special education, many of whom have continued on to become highly influential members of the autism research community. The center was originally founded by Drs. Robert and Lynn Koegel, co-developers of the PRT autism intervention model.
The Center strives to develop and disseminate high-impact, strength-based autism interventions and services; build collaborative partnerships with local and global communities; be culturally sensitive and responsive; provide ongoing outreach and education to families and professionals; support the diverse needs of individuals with ASD across the lifespan; and serve as a model for excellence in autism research and training.