Koegel Autism Center at UC Santa Barbara

11/07/2025

We look forward to seeing YOU at the Santa Barbara Zoo for YouthWell's "Stronger Together for Neurodiverse Youth" conference series!! Join Dr. Anna Krasno and Dr. Ty Vernon as they discuss new strategies for supporting youth with Autism and building neurodiverse communities. See you there!

Register HERE!! --> https://forms.monday.com/forms/c35970fc377930ba8113889513df5e07?r=use1

Save the Date!! --> November 17th from 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM

11/03/2025

We are proud to announce our collaboration with Fusion Academy for their November Speaker Series! Join Dr. Anna Krasno as she discusses the pivotal role of autism diagnoses and the development of neurodiverse-inclusive environments. We hope to see you there!

Event Link --> https://www.fusionacademy.com/campuses/santa-barbara/event/november-speaker-series/

10/17/2025

We are excited to announce the Koegel Autism Center's 7th "Unmasking Through Art" Show! We hope to see you at the Center on December 4th from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM.

Come on down to appreciate the work of local artists in a neurodiverse-friendly space! If you are a creator and want to display or sell your own work at our show, 100% of proceeds go to the artist! For access to our Gallery Submission Form, scan the QR code above!

09/30/2025

Clinical Director Dr. Anna Krasno will be presenting on Autism and the Neurodiversity Paradigm today at Cottage Hospital’s Virtual Psychiatric Grand Rounds at 12pm PST. This presentation is free to the public.

09/04/2025

Wishing everyone a great START to the school year! the Koegel Autism Center's very own START Program is opening applications for Fall 2025. If you're a teen or know one who would be interested, come check us out!

08/27/2025

Can't wait to see everyone at the Zoo! Save the date November 17th from 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM, when the Koegel Autism Center will be partnering with and the Santa Barbara Zoo. When it comes to supporting neurodiverse youth, we're Stronger Together!

08/12/2025

✨ Coming Soon ✨ Zoos & Aquariums Using External Partnerships for Neurodiversity/Mental Health Support

Join the discussion on August 28th at 1:00pm PDT (2:00pm MDT).

The featured panelists for this webinar discussion are Dr. Anna Krasno (Director of Koegel Autism Center), Valerie Bogie (Veterinary Social Worker), Ross Edelstein (CEO, Autism LLC) and Leslie Espinoza (Executive Director, Colorado Neurodiversity Chamber of Commerce).

You can join this webinar on Zane's website here: https://www.zanezoo.org 🦒

05/09/2025

Our "Unmasking Through Art" Neurodivergent Art Show was absolutely amazing!

Over 200 community members attended the event, which included drawings, paintings, photography, digital media, sculptures, jewelry, lego creations, and live music.

We are incredibly thankful to our clinic coordinators Ashley and Kai for organizing the show, as well as Fusion Academy for sponsoring the event.

For those who couldn't be there, here is a brief 90 second tour of what you missed...

05/07/2025

Our neurodivergent art show, Unmasking Through Art, is Thursday, May 8th at the Koegel Autism Center on the UC Santa Barbara Campus from 5:30pm - 8:00pm.

Come see amazing work from artists who identify has having autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, and other forms of neurodivergence. Admission is free.

This event is sponsored by Fusion Academy. Free food and drinks will be provided.

Need directions? Enter "Koegel Autism Center" in your phone's map app!

04/22/2025

The Koegel Autism Center is currently recruiting teens ages 13-17, both with and without autism, and their parents to participate in a research study on personality perception. Teens and parents will be invited to the Koegel Autism Center for a one-time, 30-minute session. Each participant will complete two personality questionnaires and receive a $10 gift card as a thank-you. For more information, please fill out the interest form (QR code on the flyer) or email ezhosan@ucsb.edu

04/15/2025

See ABC News story at https://shorturl.at/iGY9L to watch Koegel Autism Center's clinical director, Dr. Krasno, discuss the real reason behind rising autism rates.

Autism diagnoses are continuing to increase in the United States, according to a new report published Tuesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
There is a wider recognition and a better understanding of what is now understood as autism/ASD, and the definition of what classifies as autism has broadened, according to experts, including Dr. Anna Krasno, clinical director at . See story at https://abcnews.go.com/Health/estimated-1-31-children-autism-diagnosis-rates-increase/story?id=120822857

04/14/2025

The Koegel Autism Center is NOW recruiting for START Connections Program (starting in June 2025)!

The Social Tools And Rules for Teens (START Program) is a no-cost 10-week immersive socialization intervention for adolescents with autism. It focuses on improving social motivation, insight, and skills using a club-like environment that emphasizes learning through social experience and interactive lessons.

Geared for ages 12-17, the START Program focuses on experience-based learning in an engaging social club environment with snacks, group games and activities, high school and college-aged peer mentors, and both group and individualized social skill targets.

Each 90-minute session features:
- Individual check-in sessions
- Free socialization time to work on individual skill targets
- Topic discussions with role-plays, videos, and practice
- Structured group activities to work on communication and teamwork
- Check-out session with parents to give feedback and set weekly goals.

Interested in participating?
- Please contact anielabordofsky@ucsb.edu for more information & next steps!