Autism

Under the leadership of Keivan Stassun, founding director of the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation, the center has been recognized for its innovations in engineering research related to autism and the value of neurodiversity in the workplace. Read More

The Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Community Lecture Series on Research in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities will present "Learning How Children on the Autism Spectrum Process Sensory Information" on Thursday, June 17, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. CT. Read More

The Vanderbilt Kennedy Center’s Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders (VKC TRIAD) is partnering with Meharry Medical College’s Department of Pediatrics to host a special virtual lecture on Wednesday, April 28, from 1 to 2 p.m. CT. Read More

Haylie Miller, assistant professor of movement science and applied exercise science and director of autism and developmental disorders research at the University of Michigan School of Kinesiology, will discuss “Hidden Challenges: Visual and Motor Symptoms in Autism Spectrum Disorder” on Monday, April 19, from 4:10 to 5:10 p.m. CT. It is the final Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Lecture on Development and Developmental Disabilities for 2020-21. Read More

The Frist Center for Autism and Innovation at Vanderbilt will host a virtual discussion, “Autism and Disability Representation on Screen,” on Tuesday, March 30, at 10 a.m. CT. The event will be hosted on Zoom, and registration is not required. Read More

Blythe Corbett, PhD, professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and investigator with the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, recently led a study which found that on average, females with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experienced the onset of puberty 9.5 months earlier than their peers. Read More

Parents of children with autism spectrum disorders benefited from the addition of mindfulness-based stress reduction to parent-implemented behavioral interventions. Read More

The rapidly evolving challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic have caused countless disruptions for families across the country as they seek autism diagnostic assessments and support for their toddlers. In response, the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center has developed opportunities to share various resources with families, early intervention providers and diagnosticians. Read More

Maithilee Kunda and postdoc Roxanne Rashedi have developed a game called Film Detective to help adolescents on the autism spectrum learn to decode social scenarios. Read More

A Vanderbilt mechanical engineering professor is leading an ambitious pilot project that will develop prototypes of new AI-based technology and tools to train, connect and support people with autism spectrum disorders in finding jobs and succeeding in the workforce. Read More

Vanderbilt investigators have linked genetic mutations in a single receptor to epilepsy, autism and intellectual disability. Read More

A $3 million NSF grant will establish a new graduate program to train students focused on innovations connecting workforce needs to the talents of neurodiverse individuals. Read More

Frist Center grand openeing (John Russell) The American Association for Access, Equity and Diversity announced that the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation will receive the Edward M. Kennedy Community Service Award at the association’s annual awards ceremony in October. The Edward M. Kennedy Award is presented to… Read More

The Frist Center for Autism and Innovation, a new center that brings engineers, business scholars and disabilities researchers together with experts in neuroscience and education to understand, maximize and promote neurodiverse talent, celebrated its grand opening on Thursday, July 25. Read More

A first-of-its-kind mouse model may help reveal mechanistic underpinnings for the altered behaviors of autism spectrum disorder. Read More

Is the sense of touch perceived differently in people without autism? Read More

Frist Center grand openeing (John Russell) The American Association for Access, Equity and Diversity announced that the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation will receive the Edward M. Kennedy Community Service Award at the association’s annual awards ceremony in October. The Edward M. Kennedy Award is presented to… Read More

“Ambassadors of Autism,” a fine art exhibit designed to raise awareness of autism, those who are on the spectrum and their abilities, and those dealing with autism in various roles, will open at the Curb Center at Vanderbilt on Friday, April 26. An opening reception is scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. Read More

Middle Tennessee children with autism spectrum disorder are 2.5 times more likely than children without ASD to be reported to the Child Abuse Hotline by age 8. Read More

Exploring neurodiversity is important for educational development, and it is also driving new research with the potential to fuel innovation in a variety of fields, writes Chancellor Nicholas S. Zeppos in this week's column. Read More