Dr. Sarah Pastrana is an Assistant Professor of Teaching in Special Education at the University of British Columbia (UBC), primarily teaching in the Autism and Developmental Disabilities and Behaviour Disorders concentrations. Dr. Pastrana is the coordinator for the Behaviour Analyst Certification Board’s Verified Course Sequence at UBC.
Dr. Pastrana has over 20 years of experience supporting autistic individuals and children, youth, and adults with developmental disabilities and/or behaviour disorders, and their families. She has been involved in efforts to increase interdisciplinary collaboration in the province, as well as advocacy for increased access to funding and services for individuals with disabilities. Dr. Pastrana has been active in a variety of professional organizations, most recently serving as President for the British Columbia Association for Behaviour Analysis. She regularly presents at regional and international conferences.
Through her work in higher education and community engagement, Dr. Pastrana is dedicated to preparing future special educators and behaviour analysts to serve students with disabilities in ethical, evidence-based, and compassionate ways. She is committed to listening to, learning from, and amplifying the voices of disabled individuals, challenging ableism, and fostering inclusive practices that honour autonomy.