Autism

Vanderbilt offers interventions for children and families dealing with disabilities and behavior problems. Read More

There is growing evidence that disorders such as autism and schizophrenia involve deficits in what is called “multi-sensory processing,” the ability of the brain to properly integrate information coming in through the eyes, ears and other senses. Read More

The Clinical Neuroscience Scholars program, supported by the Marino Foundation and the Suzanne and Walter Scott Foundation, pairs students with both a basic science mentor to support their dissertation research and a clinical mentor to shadow. Read More

The Vanderbilt Kennedy Center will welcome Autism Partnership founder and co-director John McEachin, Ph.D., on Monday, Feb. 23, at 4:10 p.m. as he presents a lecture titled “Helping Children with ASD Become More Responsive Learners.” A reception will be held following the lecture. Read More

Vanderbilt University Medical Center has received a $1.8 million grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to join the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network. Read More

Newly discovered genetic variations linked to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) disrupt the function of the dopamine transporter, suggesting that altered dopamine signaling contributes to this common developmental condition, according to a Vanderbilt University-led research team. Read More

Brain scans confirm significant differences in play behavior, brain activation patterns and stress levels in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as compared with typically developing children. In a first-of-its-kind study, researchers at Vanderbilt University examined social play exchanges on multiple levels, revealing associations among brain… Read More

Autism Tennessee’s parent representatives respond to an average of 3,000 requests for resources and support each year. Staff and researchers wanted to quantify how this support was enriching people’s lives. They will report their findings at a community breakfast on Jan. 9. Read More

Amy Weitlauf, Ph.D., assistant professor of Pediatrics, will be leading a study among parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to examine the effectiveness of mindfulness training as part of early interventions for children with ASD. Read More

The transgenic mouse, into which was inserted a rare human genetic variation in the dopamine transporter, could lead to improvements in the diagnosis and treatment of these all-too-common brain disorders. Read More

Vanderbilt University researchers have received multi-year grants from two private foundations to investigate key signaling proteins that could lead to novel treatments for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and dystonia, a movement disorder. Read More

The Vanderbilt Kennedy Center is launching is a new educational series that will focus on the complexities of conducting interdisciplinary research and clinical trials that involve behavioral, environmental and pharmaceutical interventions. Read More

Vanderbilt University is one of four sites in the United States and Canada to enroll children with autism in a study to examine weight gain commonly experienced while taking antipsychotic medication. Read More

Kevin Sanders, M.D., assistant professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics, has been named medical director for the Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders (TRIAD). Read More

Vanderbilt researchers this week reported updated findings regarding the benefits of behavior-focused therapies for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Read More

Peer-led interventions that target parental well-being can significantly reduce stress, depression and anxiety in mothers of children with disabilities. Read More

Russell the Robot, the two-foot humanoid that has demonstrated robots can help young children diagnosed with autism spread disorder learn basic social skills, was featured at the 20th annual Coalition for National Science Funding exhibit. Read More

A preschool program for children ages 18-36 months with autism or suspected autism is opening in mid-July at the Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center (BWC), with plans to expand to children ages 3-5 in the near future. Read More

Amanda Palmer discovered a love of working with children with autism during high school. That made the decision to attend Peabody College, with its top-ranked program in special education, easy. Read More

iStock Vanderbilt University’s Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders (TRIAD) and the Tennessee Department of Education are partnering to bring a novel intervention program to families of young children with autism in Middle Tennessee. Called the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), this new intervention… Read More