Kasari Research Lab

What Kasari Research Lab does

Kasari Research Lab is an academic research laboratory housed within the Center for Autism Research and Treatment (CART) at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Established in 1997 by principal investigator Dr. Connie Kasari — one of the world's leading autism researchers with over 30 years of experience — the lab develops evidence-based interventions for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families, with primary emphasis on early intervention, social communication, and joint attention.

The lab's core methodology is JASPER (Joint Attention, Symbolic Play, Engagement, and Regulation), a play-based intervention grounded in developmental and behavioral principles that targets the foundations of social communication. JASPER has been validated in randomized controlled trials involving nearly 500 children with ASD over more than 20 years and is one of only two social communication interventions recommended by the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) as evidence-based. Surrounding JASPER, the lab operates a portfolio of specialized programs: Remaking Recess (playground-based school inclusion), SDLMI (self-determined learning), and active research studies EMERGE, PETAL, and PRISM targeting earlier developmental windows and underserved populations. The lab also convenes the AIR-B (Autism Intervention Research — Behavioral) network of research sites and community partners across the United States, and participates in the ARCC consortium on communication and AAC devices.

Operationally, the lab is not a commercial enterprise. It is funded through competitive research grants from federal agencies (NIH, HRSA), foundations (Autism Speaks, John Merck Fund, Organization for Autism Research), and through publication royalties via Guilford Press. There is no disclosed commercial pricing model. Distribution of the JASPER methodology occurs through research study enrollment (free to participants), JASPER training workshops for clinicians, parents, and educators (with CEU credits for BCBAs), and through the published JASPER book. Recent activity includes adoption of AI tooling for CFIR-Guided Implementation Analysis of clinical trial data (April 2026) and ongoing participation in events such as OAR Impact Day 2025.

Name

Kasari Research Lab

Legal name

Kasari Lab at UCLA

Website

https://kasarilab.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kasari Research Lab is an academic research laboratory at UCLA, established in 1997 by Dr. Connie Kasari, that develops and validates evidence-based interventions — primarily JASPER — for young children with autism spectrum disorder and their families.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Autism Intervention Research Services

NAICS

Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172), Educational Support Services (61171), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Behavioral Therapy (ABA/ESDM/Positive Behavior Support) (EDACAFAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Autism Behavioral Support (School-Based ABA/PBIS) (EDAKAKAE), Developmental Therapy / Early Childhood Special Instruction (EDACAFAG), ABA Supervision, Clinical Oversight & BCBA Consulting (EDAKAHAH)

Keywords

• Autism intervention research
• Behavioral therapy methods
• Clinical training workshops
• Social communication treatment
• Developmental disorder research

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations

Revenue model

1. Research Grants and Funding: The Kasari Lab operates as an academic research laboratory at UCLA, funded through competitive research grants from federal agencies (NIH, HRSA), foundations (Autism Speaks, John Merck Fund), and organizations (OAR). Funding supports specific research projects and interventions rather than commercial revenue generation.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Kasari Research Lab develops and delivers evidence-based behavioral interventions for children with autism spectrum disorder, centered on the JASPER (Joint Attention, Symbolic Play, Engagement, and Regulation) play-based treatment approach. The lab offers related school-based programs (Remaking Recess, SDLMI), coordinates the AIR-B national research network, and runs JASPER training workshops for clinicians, parents, and educators (including CEU credits for BCBAs). All interventions are delivered through research studies, training programs, and community partnerships rather than as commercial products.

Product overview

Kasari Lab operates as a research-focused organization offering a suite of autism interventions and tools. The core product is JASPER (Joint Attention, Symbolic Play, Engagement, and Regulation), a play-based intervention developed over 20+ years of research, which forms the foundation for several specialized programs. Related interventions include Remaking Recess (a playground-based school inclusion program) and the Self-Determined Learning Model of Instruction (SDLMI) for goal-setting. The AIR-B Network serves as the national research consortium infrastructure supporting community-partnered intervention development. Research studies including EMERGE, PETAL, PRISM, and ARCC provide structured programs that apply and validate the JASPER methodology across different populations and developmental stages. All interventions are designed to be adaptable, flexible, and sustainable for implementation in community settings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• JASPER: Joint Attention, Symbolic Play, Engagement, and Regulation - a play-based intervention approach based on developmental and behavioral principles targeting foundations of social communication
• AIR-B

Products and services

• JASPER (Joint Attention, Symbolic Play, Engagement, and Regulation)

Quantifiable outcome

• Improvements in joint engagement, social communication, and emotion regulation with decreasing negativity over time
• +1 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Organization for Autism Research (OAR)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 September 2025OAR Impact Day 2025 features researchers including Dr. Connie Kasari, Dr. Elizabeth Laugeson, and Dr. Lauren Kenworthy discussing how they have transformed autism research findings into real-world solutions.
• AIR-B Network (Autism Intervention Research—Behavioral)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAIR-B is a network of research sites and community partners across the United States who research and develop autism interventions and tools for children with autism and their families. AIR-B focuses on inclusion for those who have been under-served and minoritized. The Kasari Lab leads multiple AIR-B projects including AIR-B I, II, and IV focusing on caregiver-mediated interventions, peer relationships, school-based interventions, and self-determined learning.
• Autism Research Consortium on Communication (ARCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerARCC brings together researchers to study how to help autistic children enhance their communication and language skills. Goals include creating ways to encourage and support the use of AAC devices, sharing results with both scientists and the public, and training new researchers.
• Center for Autism Research and Treatment (CART) at UCLAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Kasari Lab is part of the Center for Autism Research and Treatment at the University of California, Los Angeles, providing institutional affiliation and collaborative research opportunities within the UCLA academic environment.
• SSLP, Inc. (Santa Monica)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartnership with SSLP, Inc. in Santa Monica for providing intervention sessions as part of research studies, offering locations for JASPER and other intervention delivery.
• Guilford PressminorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerPublished the JASPER model book 'The jasper model for children with autism: Promoting joint attention, symbolic play, engagement, and regulation' making the intervention accessible globally through book sales.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Marcus Autism Center: One of the largest autism research centers in the U.S., affiliated with Emory University, conducting clinical intervention research for children with ASD. Comparable in mission to develop and validate evidence-based autism interventions at scale.
• Koegel Autism Center (UC Santa Barbara): Academic research center at UCSB focused on Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) for children with autism. A direct peer in developing, validating, and disseminating evidence-based naturalistic behavioral interventions for ASD.
• UCLA PEERS Program (Laugeson Lab): Sibling autism research lab at UCLA led by Dr. Elizabeth Laugeson, focused on evidence-based social skills interventions for individuals with ASD. Highly comparable in mission, evidence-based approach, and academic structure, with frequent co-presentation alongside JASPER at events like OAR Impact Day.
• Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders (CASD) at Northwestern: Academic research center at Northwestern developing early-intervention programs for children with ASD, including parent-mediated approaches. Comparable as a peer research entity producing RCT-validated autism interventions.
• UC Davis MIND Institute: Major academic autism research center conducting clinical trials on early intervention and social communication in ASD. Directly comparable as a peer institution developing and validating evidence-based autism interventions with NIH-funded RCTs.

Others

• Guilford Press: Publisher of the JASPER model book, enabling global dissemination of the methodology. Comparable as a dissemination partner rather than a competitor; critical to the lab's strategy of open-publication-driven adoption.
• Organization for Autism Research (OAR): Research and advocacy organization that funds autism research and hosts OAR Impact Day, where Kasari Lab presents. Comparable as an ecosystem partner and research funder that helps translate academic findings into real-world solutions.

Broad incumbents

• TEACCH Program (UNC): Long-established, university-based program at UNC that develops and disseminates evidence-based structured teaching interventions for autism across schools and clinics. Comparable as a broader incumbent in the same evidence-based intervention space, with a longer commercialization and training track record.
• Autism Speaks: Major autism advocacy and research funding organization that funds the Kasari Lab directly. Comparable as a key stakeholder and funder in the autism research ecosystem, influencing which interventions gain traction and policy support.

Emerging players

• Cognoa: AI-driven autism diagnostic and digital therapeutic company that has received FDA authorization for autism diagnosis. Comparable as an emerging player in evidence-based, technology-enabled autism assessment and intervention, though more commercially oriented.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/kasari_lab
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@kasariresearchlab8077
• Facebookfacebook.com/kasariresearchlab
• Instagraminstagram.com/kasarilab
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kasari-research-lab

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Kasari Research Lab