Neurodiversity

Two Vanderbilt researchers are part of a team that earned a $1 million grant to develop AI-based training that will help neurodiverse people learn to drive—addressing a huge obstacle for that population. “The ability to drive will open up new opportunities for employment and a life of independence for many neurodiverse individuals,” said Nilanjan Sarkar,... Read More

Two Vanderbilt researchers are part of a team that earned a $1 million grant to develop AI-based training that will help neurodiverse people learn to drive—addressing a huge obstacle for that population. “The ability to drive will open up new opportunities for employment and a life of independence for many neurodiverse individuals,” said Nilanjan Sarkar,... Read More

Mechanical engineering Professor Nilanjan Sarkar, Frist Center Director Keivan Stassun and collaborators receive $1M to develop an integrated AI and behavioral science-based driving training system to improve transportation independence for neurodiverse individuals. Read More

Vanderbilt University and the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation at Vanderbilt are collaborating with The Precisionists, Inc., a Wilmington, Delaware-based company that assesses, trains and employs neurodiverse adults to carry out project-based consulting work. TPI anticipates steady growth in Nashville and plans to create more than 500 local jobs for adults with autism and neurodiversities within the next three to five years.  Read More

Furthering Vanderbilt’s commitment to creating an inclusive game-day experience for everyone in Commodore Nation, the university has announced the installation of sensory rooms inside Memorial Gymnasium and FirstBank Stadium. Read More

Tim Vogus, deputy director of Vanderbilt's Frist Center for Autism and Innovation, uses research to push for a workforce that welcomes, accepts, and embraces neurodivergent professionals. Read More

The Neurodiversity Inspired Science and Engineering graduate trainee program builds on the unique strengths of the School of Engineering’s Frist Center for Autism and Innovation and the Graduate School. Read More

The Frist Center for Autism and Innovation has announced its 2023 call for membership, which allows Vanderbilt faculty and staff to apply to become affiliates or fellows of the center. Applications are due by March 15.  Read More

New research from Vanderbilt Business identifies ways that managers can set up autistic employees for success. Read More

Vanderbilt School of Engineering’s Frist Center for Autism and Innovation, working in partnership with Fisk University, has won a $1.9 million grant from the National Science Foundation to create a system of programs to support neurodiverse students in engineering majors and careers. Read More

The Vanderbilt Kennedy Center recently introduced two brand-new educational resources created by the VKC’s Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders (TRIAD) and the Vanderbilt Consortium LEND Training Program. Read More

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

Applications are open through June 15 for the Neurodiversity Inspired Science and Engineering graduate trainee program. The NISE program takes a novel approach to the training of engineers and scientists engaged in advancing the future of work at the human technology frontier. 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

A virtual event to discuss the formation of a Neurodiversity Employee Affinity Group is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 25, at 5 p.m. CT. The goal of the listening session is to gather input, ask questions and offer suggestions about how a Neurodiversity Employee Affinity Group at Vanderbilt can best serve this community. Read More

From March 9 to 13, Vanderbilt will recognize Disability Awareness Week with a series of interactive programs and events on intersecting topics related to disability. All programs and events are free and open to Vanderbilt students, faculty, staff and postdoctoral scholars. 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

A $10 million gift from alumna Jennifer R. Frist, BS’93, and husband William R. “Billy” Frist will endow a new center focused on supporting and developing the neurodiverse talents of individuals with autism at Vanderbilt University’s School of Engineering. Read More