research and development
NISE Fellow Hari Srinivasan Wins Research Award
Jul. 11, 2024—FCAI Neurodiversity Inspired Science and Engineering Fellow Hari Srinivasan has been awarded the 2024 Autistic and Neurodivergent Scholars Working for Equity in Research (ANSWER) Scholars Program Award for his project “Navigating the Near: Virtual Reality Investigations of Peripersonal Space in Autism.” Srinivasan will receive a $10,000 award next academic year to work toward this research....
NISE Fellow, FCAI Fellow, and Associate Director Author Paper on Recruiting and Retaining Autistic Talent in STEMM
Jun. 13, 2024—Check out the groundbreaking commentary “Recruiting and Retaining Autistic Talent in STEMM” by Neurodiversity Inspired Science and Engineering Fellow Amber Crabtree, with collaboration from FCAI fellow AJ Hinton and FCAI Associate Director Dave Caudel. Published in iScience, the article addresses the high unemployment rates and challenges autistic adults face in science, technology, engineering, math, and...
Special Lecture at VKC on 09/11 – Design and Development of VR HMDs With/For Autistic Groups
Sep. 7, 2023—Announcing a Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Special Lecture: “Design and Development of VR HMDs With/For Autistic Groups; Examples of Applied Virtual Reality (VR) Led by Autistic Input and Feedback.” Presented by Dr. Nigel Newbutt, Ph.D. When: Monday, September 11, 12:00-1:00 p.m. CT Where: Room 241, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center/One Magnolia Circle Building (Virtual Option Available) Nigel Newbutt,...
Floreo Launches Immersive Learning Program to Bring VR to Neurodiverse Students
Mar. 28, 2023—We are thrilled to announce that the wonderful behavioral therapy metaverse, Floreo, has launched its Immersive Learning Program, a unique opportunity for schools to bring Floreo to neurodiverse students. In collaboration with Meta, the program is for neurodiverse students ages 13+ and includes free Meta Quest 2 headsets for schools. In addition, Floreo are providing...
Frist Center researchers publish study on depression and employment
Jul. 14, 2022—Two Frist Center Faculty Fellows, Drs. Jessica Schwartzman and Blythe Corbett, have published a new literature review on depression and employment outcomes in autism. The paper’s abstract is copied below and is available at this link. Abstract Autistic adults face elevated risks for depression and unemployment, yet a systematic review of studies on the intersection...
Autistic individuals and families sought for non-invasive study
Sep. 19, 2018—Led by Vanderbilt Kennedy Center’s Zachary Warren, Ph.D., the SPARK for Autism study is looking for individuals of all ages with a professional diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to become part of the largest autism study ever undertaken in the United States. Biological parents and full biological siblings (with and without ASD) are invited...
ASD survey to improve employment outcomes
Dec. 18, 2017—The Autism Science Foundation is currently seeking participants to take part in a survey on autism spectral disorder and employment. The information gained may be used to draft a policy brief for the International Society for Autism Research. Adults on the spectrum, their family members, researchers and professionals who work with autistic individuals in a...
VCAI November workshop announced
Sep. 30, 2017—On November 17 at the Commons, the Vanderbilt Center for Autism and Innovation will host our first workshop, bringing together researchers from Vanderbilt to discuss their work in autism. To learn more, please visit our page, Vanderbilt Surprising Connections in Autism and Innovation.