ASD
New report: iZone schools show gains; ASD little improvement
Jun. 19, 2018—After five years of implementation, iZone schools continue to show positive gains on student achievement while the students in the Achievement School District did not gain more or less than comparison schools.
Vanderbilt study affirms effectiveness, promise of telemedicine for autism evaluations
Mar. 12, 2018—Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) have found that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be accurately diagnosed in young children via remote, telemedicine assessments, a method that could significantly increase access and reduce wait times for autism services. In a first-of-its-kind study, the researchers compared the accuracy of rapid telemedicine evaluations to in-person evaluations...
Study helps map signaling system in brain linked to ASD
Feb. 8, 2018—Researchers at Vanderbilt University have worked out part of the “wiring diagram” of a signaling system in the brain that has been linked to autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Autism & Innovation center established to help people with ASD find meaningful work
Oct. 12, 2017—Creating a model pipeline that will assist adults on the autism spectrum find innovative jobs is the purpose of Vanderbilt University’s new Center for Autism & Innovation.
Artificial intelligence thinks like people with autism, used to develop educational tools
Sep. 5, 2017—Inspired by Temple Grandin, Assistant Professor of Computer Science Maithilee Kunda figured out how to create artificial intelligence that emulates image-based thinking.
New research on Fragile X syndrome reinforces importance of early detection
Aug. 25, 2017—New insights into the long-lasting effects of Fragile X syndrome on connections in the brain during early development highlight the importance of early detection and treatment.
Teacher turnover rates critical in TN turnaround efforts
Feb. 14, 2017—Both ASD and IZone schools are recruiting effective teachers, but the iZone schools are doing a better job of retaining them.
Using virtual reality to help teenagers with autism learn how to drive
Jul. 21, 2016—A team of engineers and psychologists have developed a virtual reality driving simulator designed to help teenagers with autism spectrum disorder learn to drive, a key skill in allowing them to live independent and productive lives.
School turnaround focus of five-year, $5M study
Feb. 17, 2016—Evaluating a new initiative to turn around North Carolina’s lowest-performing schools is the focus of a new Vanderbilt University study.
Mobility in TN Achievement School District focus of new study
Mar. 4, 2015—Student and teacher mobility rates have improved since the ASD takeover, researchers say.
Communication disorders in siblings of children with autism focus of NIH grant
Mar. 18, 2014—Vanderbilt's Paul Yoder and Zachary Warren and Wendy Stone of the University of Washington’s Autism Center have received at five-year, $2.1 million NIH grant to study communication interventions for younger siblings of children with autism spectrum disorder.
Humanoid robot helps train children with autism
Mar. 23, 2013—An interdisciplinary team of mechanical engineers and autism experts at Vanderbilt University have developed an adaptive robotic system and used it to demonstrate that humanoid robots can be powerful tools for enhancing the basic social learning skills of children with autism.