Vanderbilt Kennedy Center

Former U.S. Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy advocated for better treatment of mental health issues and spoke candidly about his struggles during a Chancellor's Lecture Series discussion on Tuesday. Read More

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… Read More

The Vanderbilt Education and Brain Sciences Research Lab is seeking participants age 8 to 20 for a research study focusing on reading difficulties and neurofibromatosis. Read More

The lecture will focus on the need to look closely at linguistic differences between language used in the home and in schools. Read More

SENSE Theatre and the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center will present the play "HATS" at 7 p.m. March 9 and 10 at the Troutt/Black Box Theatre Complex on Compton Avenue, near Belmont Boulevard. SENSE Theatre includes youth with autism spectrum disorder and trained peer actors from the University School of Nashville. Read More

Vanderbilt Kennedy Center's Helping Families Cope with Stress Study aims to promote children's healthy adjustment by teaching your family about the nature and effects of stress. Research participants are needed. Read More

The American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) announced its 2018 award recipients, which include three people affiliated with the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (VKC). Read More

Arie Nettles, PhD, associate professor of Clinical Pediatrics and Vanderbilt Kennedy Center member, has been appointed by Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam as chair of the Statewide Planning and Policy Council of the Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD). Nettles has served as a member of the council since 2014. Read More

"Doggone Good," featuring photography by Jen Vogus, is now on display at the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center and can be viewed for free through March 2018. Read More

  Autism researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and two other universities have received a $2.99 million grant from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) to conduct a four-year multisite project investigating the impact of theatre and peer mediation on the social competence of youth with autism spectrum… Read More

Three Nicholas Hobbs Discovery Grants and two Director’s Strategic Priorities Grants have been awarded for 2018-19, the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center has announced. Read More

Children and adolescents ages 9-14 are needed for a Vanderbilt University research study to better understand the relationship between reading and learning. Read More

A comprehensive, multidisciplinary clinic serving patients with Prader-Willi syndrome recently opened at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a complex genetic disorder that affects appetite, growth, metabolism, cognitive function and behavior. It is characterized by the inability to achieve satiety, developmental delays and intellectual disability,… Read More

Technology as a tool in research and services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities will be the keynote topic at the 10th annual Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Science Day, scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 23, at the Vanderbilt Student Life Center. Read More

"Surprising Connections in Autism and Innovation,” a day of presentations, poster sessions and cross-discipline conversations, will be held Friday, Nov. 17, at The Commons Center, rooms 237 and 235. Read More

Learn about the new Vanderbilt Center for Autism and Innovation from noon to 1 p.m. Sept. 13 at the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Room 241. This TIPs-funded initiative is aimed at developing an interdisciplinary model to enhance employment opportunities for individuals on the autism spectrum by identifying strengths and providing supportive and assistive technologies. Read More

A new Vanderbilt initiative aims to improve the lives of young adults with autism spectrum disorders who often end up socially isolated once they leave school. Read More

Two national disability-related organizations representing professionals and families are recognizing the accomplishments of three Vanderbilt Kennedy Center members. Read More

“Day Boy Night Girl” by Sarah E. Vaughn is on view at the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center exhibit “Breaking Ground” through June. Whether we realize it or not, we often silence individuals who have intellectual and developmental disabilities because of our own inability to communicate with those unlike ourselves. Read More

H. Floyd Dennis, professor of special education, emeritus, died April 17 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He was 89. As a Vanderbilt Kennedy Center researcher, Dennis was founding director of the Kennedy Center Institute on Youth and Social Development. Read More