News
FCAI Honored with Prestigious Community Service Award
Sep. 22, 2021—It was announced Sept. 15 that Vanderbilt University’s Frist Center for Autism and Innovation (FCAI) was selected as the recipient of the 2021 Edward M. Kennedy Community Service Award, presented by the American Association for Access, Equity, and Diversity (AAAED). Named after U.S. Senator Edward M. Kennedy—whose decades long political career championed for the healthcare...
Join us virtually for the College Autism Summit 2021 – early registration deadline is October 1
Sep. 14, 2021—The College Autism Summit, sponsored by the College Autism Network, brings together scholars, practitioners, administrators, employers, and self-advocates to discuss evidence-driven strategies that help support college students with autism and related learning differences. Transition to college, experience while in college, and transition to employment and independent living are all areas of focus. The College Autism...
ECHO Autism Recruiting Primary Care Providers for 2021-2022
Sep. 8, 2021—ECHO Autism bridges the care gap between autism specialists, community health care providers, and people with autism. They are recruiting primary care providers seeking advice about autism, particularly those in rural or underserved communities without access to autism specialists. To learn more, please review the flyers below. Stamped-DoD Flyer VUMC-7-24-20 Stamped-Echo Autism Flyer VUMC-Long-7-24-20
NISE students Williams and Dunham receive Graduate School fellowships
Apr. 12, 2021—Two current participants in the Frist Center’s NISE (Neurodiversity-Inspired Science + Engineering Graduate Trainee Fellowship) program have earned a prestigious fellowship from the Vanderbilt Graduate School. The Frist Center for Autism & Innovation sponsors NISE through a National Science Foundation Research Traineeship (NRT) grant. The program takes a novel approach to the training of engineers and...
Register now for United Nations Autism Day virtual event on 4/8
Apr. 7, 2021—You can register now to attend the UN’s annual World Autism Awareness Day program at this link! It will take place on Thursday, April 8, from 9-10am Central Time (10-11am EST). The event, which is typically held in person at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, is virtual this year due to COVID-19....
Jobs for Humanity seeking volunteers for neurodiversity employment initiative
Apr. 2, 2021—The Frist Center for Autism & Innovation has partnered with Jobs for Humanity, a new web-based initiative promoted employment for underserved communities, to further empower neurodivergent adults in the workplace. Jobs for Humanity is planning to launch its “Jobs for the Neurodivergent” branch the week of April 19th, and they are seeking volunteers! In order...
Frist Center hosting full calendar of Autistic Pride Month events
Mar. 29, 2021—The Frist Center will be celebrating April as Autistic Pride Month by hosting a series of engaging webinars and panels. Here’s a brief overview of our upcoming events – there may be small changes to the further-out events, which we will update this article to reflect, so be sure to check back here for the...
Registration open for TN Disability Employment Awareness Luncheon on April 13th
Mar. 23, 2021—The Frist Center for Autism and Innovation believes that businesses which are inclusive of people with disabilities – in recruitment, retention, and advancement – benefit from a wider pool of talent, skills, and creative business solutions. With that in mind, the Frist Center is sponsoring Disability Rights Tennessee’s “Disability Employment Awareness Luncheon” (DEAL) on April...
March 30th Autistics’ Roundtable Webinar will address autism on screen
Mar. 22, 2021—The next Autistics’ Roundtable Webinar will be all about autism and disability in entertainment media! It will take place at 10am central time on Tuesday, 3/30. Anyone and everyone is invited to join, using this Zoom link at 10am (CST) on Tuesday. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from three autistic adults, including Frist Center...
EY looking to hire hundreds of neurodivergent employees
Mar. 8, 2021—Ernst & Young (EY) has made the exciting decision to add hundreds of neurodivergent employees to their staff over the next few years. They are specifically recruiting individuals with a background in technology, coding or data analysis. Applicants are being screened on a rolling basis, and interested parties are encouraged to apply now! EY’s Nashville...
Interest session for neurodivergent Vanderbilt employees, or employees with neurodivergent family/friends
Feb. 22, 2021—On Thursday February 25th at 5 p.m. CT, Vanderbilt’s Office for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion will be hosting a virtual interest session to propose starting a Neurodiversity Employee Affinity Group at Vanderbilt. Individuals who identify as neurodivergent, parents of neurodivergent individuals and anyone else who is interested in or impacted by this topic are welcome...
“This Moment in America” event to feature Frist staffer as panelist
Feb. 22, 2021—This week, Vanderbilt’s Office for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion is hosting an event intended to gather minority perspectives on the present state of life in America. The event will feature a panel of diverse Vanderbilt students, faculty and staff, moderated by Dr. André L. Churchwell, the vice chancellor for equity, diversity and inclusion and chief...
Tennessean op-ed on ableism in media, Sia’s “Music,” written by autistic advocate
Feb. 16, 2021—The Tennessean, a USA Today network newspaper, recently published an opinion article written by Frist Center communications coordinator Claire Barnett. The piece, titled “Disabled characters should be played by disabled actors | Opinion,” explains into the importance of disabled people having a first-person voice in their own media representation. Barnett, who is autistic and ADHD,...
Workforce Readiness and Preparation camp registration open for summer 2021
Feb. 12, 2021—This upcoming summer, the Currey Ingram Academy will be hosting a three-week program called Workforce Readiness and Preparation (WRaP) for autistic students age 15-20. Currey Ingram Academy and the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation initially collaborated to develop WRaP three years ago. The WRaP program exists to help students diagnosed with autism strengthen their...
February 18th webinar to cover autism & romantic relationships
Feb. 11, 2021—Another Autistics’ Roundtable Webinar is right around the corner! The February installment, which will take place at 11am central time on Thursday, 2/18, will focus on autistic adults and romantic relationships. Anyone and everyone is invited to use this Zoom link to join in. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from a relationship counselor...
Summer internship application open for 2021
Jan. 25, 2021—This upcoming summer, the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation will hold its third annual Summer Autism Internship Program. This will include a cohort of research interns and student volunteers, all of whom are neurodivergent. You may apply to be a research intern if you are currently completing or have just completed your bachelor’s degree. You may apply...
Register for December 16th webinar on Neurodiversity & mental health
Dec. 11, 2020—We are excited to announce that the December Autistics’ Roundtable webinar will focus on neurodiversity and mental health! Tune in on Wednesday, December 16th at 2pm (CT) to hear from an expert clinician and four self-advocates about their experiences with the unique mental health challenges faced by autistic adults. Our main speaker will be Dr....
Frist Center seeking applications for new fellows, affiliates
Oct. 26, 2020—The Frist Center for Autism and Innovation has just announced its 2020 call for membership, which allows Vanderbilt faculty and staff to apply to become affiliates or fellows of the Center. The work of current fellows and affiliates has resulted in multi-million-dollar grants and was recently highlighted nationally on CBS’s 60 Minutes with Anderson Cooper. Frist...
Recruiting university faculty and TAs for autism training research
Oct. 19, 2020—A new research study is currently recruiting faculty members and teaching assistants at universities to test a short online training program on autism and universal design. The goal of the study is to improve university staff’s knowledge and attitudes towards autism and teach those staff members principles of universal design (i.e., making higher education environments accessible to all people,...
October 21st webinar to cover disclosure and self-advocacy
Oct. 16, 2020—We are excited to announce that the October Autistics’ Roundtable webinar will focus on disclosure and self-advocacy! Tune in on October 21st at 1pm (CT) to hear from five self-advocates about their experiences navigating disclosure in personal, academic, and professional settings. Our main speaker will be Autistic Self Advocacy Network Director of Operations Zoe Gross....
Clinicians – want to learn more about autism?
Sep. 21, 2020—More than a half million autistic individuals will turn 18 years old in the next decade. To meet their physical and mental healthcare needs, novel approaches to train and support community clinicians are essential. A new initiative is doing just that by recruiting primary-care clinicians who would like to learn more about the autistic adults they serve. This initiative...
September Autistic’s Roundtable Webinar now on YouTube
Sep. 17, 2020—Our September webinar is now available on YouTube! To view it, you can press play above, go to the Youtube link by clicking here, or access the link in our Instagram link tree. This Autistics’ Roundtable focuses on international perceptions of Autism, featuring speakers hailing from Denmark, China, Germany and the United States. The main speaker is Thorkil Sonne,...
Frist Center associate director added to Vanderbilt Diversity Council
Sep. 15, 2020—Dr. Dave Caudel has been invited to join Vanderbilt’s 2020-2021 University Diversity Council. He is the first-ever representative on this council from the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation. The Diversity Council is made up of faculty, staff, undergraduate and graduate students, and postdocs. It is also charged with making periodic strategic recommendations to the interim chancellor...
Frist Center earns two large NSF grants to promote neurodiverse employment
Sep. 15, 2020—The National Science Foundation has awarded two highly competitive grants to Vanderbilt’s team working at the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation. The first is a $5 million award that greatly expands a School of Engineering-led project for creating novel AI technology and tools and platforms that train and support individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the...
Upcoming Autistics’ Roundtable Webinar: International perceptions of autism
Sep. 8, 2020—Join the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation on Monday, Sept. 14th at noon for the next Autistics’ Roundtable Webinar. The September installment will be focused on international perceptions of autism. The main speaker will be Thorkil Sonne, a family member advocate and the founder of Specialisterne. Sonne will be joining us from his home country...
August “Autistics’ Rountable” Webinar on YouTube
Sep. 2, 2020—The latest Autistics’ Roundtable Webinar is up on YouTube! It can be viewed at this link, or by clicking the play button above. It was filmed on Thursday, Aug. 13 from 2pm to 3pm (central time). The topic is how self-employment and entrepreneurship can be successful options for adults on the spectrum. The featured speaker is Dr....
Fall dates announced: Autism employment coach certification
Aug. 24, 2020—The fall dates have been set for Forward Motion Coaching’s Asperger’s/Autism Employment Coach Certification. Forward Motion Coaching Principal and Certified Coach Barbara Bissonnette will be leading all sessions. Group One begins on Sept. 25, with live meetings from 10:00 – 11:30am Eastern time. Group Two begins on Oct. 1, with meetings from 4:00 – 5:30pm Eastern time. Each...
Upcoming Autistics’ Roundtable Webinar: Entrepreneurship as an option for autistic adults
Aug. 6, 2020—Join the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation on Thursday, Aug. 13 from 2pm to 3pm (central time) for the second installment of the new “Autistics’ Roundtable Webinar.” This month’s topic is how self-employment and entrepreneurship can be successful options for adults on the spectrum. The featured speaker will be Dr. Somnath Sengupta, founder of...
New toolkit available: Helping young autistic people set self-determined goals
Aug. 6, 2020—“Supporting Teens and Young Adults on the Autism Spectrum: Setting and Pursuing Self-Determined Goals” was produced through a collaborative effort of the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (VKC), its Treatment and Research Institute on Autism Spectrum Disorders (VKC TRIAD), and the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation. This plain-language toolkit is designed to help parents and caregivers,...
Video on Neurodiversity Accommodations in the Workplace
Aug. 3, 2020—Frist Center associate director Dave Caudel has created a video explaining the various challenges an autistic adult might face in the workforce, and discussing the accommodations that can be provided to those employees. You can watch the video by clicking play above, or following this link to Youtube! Whether you are an autistic employee or...
Frist Center YouTube launches, first “Autistics’ Roundtable” webinar available
Jul. 22, 2020—The Frist Center for Autism and Innovation has launched a new YouTube page, expanding the Center’s virtual presence. The YouTube will host videos of Frist Center events and speaking engagements featuring our staff and leadership. The first upload is the inaugural Autistic’s Roundtable Webinar. On Wednesday, June 3rd from 1-2 p.m., the Center held the first of...
Frist Center hosting first-ever ‘Autistics’ Roundtable’ webinar
May. 29, 2020—On Wednesday, June 3rd from 1-2 p.m., the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation will host the first of its new monthly webinar series. The series is being called “Autistics’ Roundtable,” and each week it will feature autistic voices among the panelists, presenters and moderator. The debut installment will address how the challenges of COVID-19 quarantine...
ASBMB article promotes neurodiversity inclusion in labs
May. 25, 2020—The Frist Center for Autism and Innovation is first and foremost a research center, and is proud to employ several autistic researchers, interns and staff members. Frist Center leadership has been intentional about setting an example for other organizations which are considering recruiting neurodivergent talent. Recently, Vanderbilt University Medical Center postdoc and contributing writer for the...
Frist Center celebrates HOD intern Alex Lithgow
Apr. 27, 2020—This spring, the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation hosted its first-ever Human and Organizational Development (HOD) intern. Senior Alex Lithgow spent the semester working as the Communications & Advocacy Intern alongside Frist Center Communications Coordinator Claire Barnett. Lithgow attended HOD class on Mondays and spent Tuesday through Friday at the Frist Center, beginning in January....
Partner company auticon featured by CNBC, CBS
Apr. 20, 2020—One of the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation’s partner companies is auticon, a Berlin-based tech consulting firm. auticon’s consultants are entirely on the autism spectrum, and number around two hundred. The firm employs another hundred non-consultant staffers who are neurotypical. As organizations around the globe have shifted to remote work over the past two...
Podcast ‘HR Happy Hour’ interviews Frist Center’s Tim Vogus
Apr. 17, 2020—The Frist Center for Autism and Innovation is proud to be an interdisciplinary research center focused on empowering autistic adults in the workplace. One of those disciplines in business, which is led by Frist Center Deputy Director for Business Innovations Tim Vogus. Dr. Vogus is also a Professor of Organizational Studies at the Owen Graduate School of...
COVID-19 update on Frist Center Operations
Apr. 7, 2020—As recommended by the CDC, all non-essential Vanderbilt University faculty and staff are currently working remotely to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. This includes everyone at the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation. While we are working remotely, we cannot meet with individuals or organizations face-to-face. However, we are still holding teleconference and...
Sign-ups open for summer 2020 Workforce Readiness and Prep (WRaP) camp
Mar. 10, 2020—For the third year, Currey Ingram Academy is hosting a three-week program for students ages 15 – 20 who are on the autism spectrum. It is a collaboration between Currey Ingram Academy and the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation. The Workforce Readiness and Preparation (WRaP) program uses a strengths-based approach to help young autistic people prepare for success in the...
New partnership with Tennessee Voc Rehab
Feb. 28, 2020—The Frist Center for Autism and Innovation is excited to announce its new partnership with Tennessee Vocational Rehabilitation. The Division of Rehabilitation Services is responsible for the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services program, which includes determination of eligibility, determination of the nature and scope of VR services and the provision of employment-focused rehabilitation services for individuals...
InclusAbility’s “Autism 101” event coming up on Feb. 25
Feb. 21, 2020—If you’d like to learn more about the autism spectrum, mark your calendar for February 25th. On Tuesday the 25th at 1 p.m., Vanderbilt’s InclusAbility campaign is hosting an event called “Autism 101.” The first part of the presentation, given by Autism Tennessee, will cover the diagnosis and most common characteristics of autism. There will...
Frist Center promotes sensory spaces in Vanderbilt Hustler article
Feb. 3, 2020—Sensory spaces are a common resource at autism conferences and events, providing a calming spot for attendees to escape stress or overwhelming stimuli. But these spaces can be beneficial to a much wider audience, including those with anxiety, ADHD and other neurodiversity or disabilities. The Frist Center for Autism & Innovation is hoping to start a campus...
Frist Center announces 2020 member awards
Jan. 27, 2020— – This past October, the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation put out its first-ever call for large projects, mini-grants, scholarly literature reviews, and symposia proposals consistent with the Center’s mission of engineering technologies and transforming the workplace – inspired by neurodiversity. These awards are supported through a combination of Frist Center endowment funds,...
Seeking 2020 Summer Autism Internship participants
Jan. 27, 2020—The Frist Center for Autism and Innovation is excited to announce the second annual Summer Autism Internship. The participating interns will work on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) research and projects throughout summer 2020. The Frist Center is seeking participants who have an interest in STEM and would like to explore these topics further. To apply, an...
Dr. Caudel chats with fellow self-advocate on ‘Life in a Neurotypical Universe’ podcast
Jan. 15, 2020—Frist Center Associate Director Dr. Dave Caudel is the most recent guest on autism self-advocate Tim Goldstein’s podcast, “Life in a Neurotypical Universe.” Both Goldstein and Caudel were diagnosed with autism as adults, and they discuss their lives pre- and post-diagnosis. Caudel also shares about the mission and progress of the Frist Center. Caudel’s appearance...
TEDx Talk highlights Frist Center work
Jan. 7, 2020—This past November, Frist Center for Autism and Innovation communications coordinator Claire Barnett spoke at TEDxVanderbilt about autistic employment. Her talk, titled “Why autistic unemployment is so high – and what we can do about it,” explores several reasons that autistic adults struggle to obtain meaningful work. Barnett also discusses the steps that both businesses...
Support autistic adults through Electronics Recycling Solutions
Dec. 4, 2019—The Frist Center for Autism and Innovation aims to support and empower adults with autism in the workforce through research and community partnerships. Electronics Recycling Solutions (ERS) is one of those local organizations putting the Frist Center’s principles into practice. Their business model “is designed to provide sustainable, long term employment for adults with autism...
Frist Center announces new partnership with Floreo
Nov. 19, 2019—The Frist Center for Autism and Innovation has begun a new partnership with the virtual reality start up Floreo. Floreo develops virtual reality trainings for autistic people to learn and practice life skills. The primary user inserts a phone into the VR headset to view one of the sessions. Meanwhile, another user can connect a tablet to observe...
Frist Center featured on Leadership Lab podcast
Nov. 5, 2019—Dr. Patrick Leddin started the podcast “Leadership Lab” to inform and inspire leaders in all walks of life. He has hosted illustrious guests from the realms of business, academia, activism and more. This past week, Leddin’s guest was Frist Center associate director Dr. Dave Caudel. In the podcast, Caudel employs his own experiences as a self-advocate to provide the...
Attention: Frist Center members, call for pre-proposals
Oct. 23, 2019—Call for Pre-proposals: Projects, mini-grants, literature reviews, and symposia Due: Nov 15, 2019 The Frist Center for Autism & Innovation announces its first call for proposals for members to request support for mini-grants, large research projects, literature reviews, and symposia. We are utilizing a two-step process: In this first step, members may first submit brief pre-proposals...
Frist Center deputy director leads $1 million NSF project
Oct. 21, 2019—Autistic people are alarmingly under-represented in the American workforce; around 80 percent of autistic adults are un- or under-employed. So, when the National Science Foundation (NSF) announced a program that would forge partnerships between public researchers and private companies, the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation saw an opportunity. A team of Frist Center leaders submitted their proposal...