Frist Center

The next frontier of neuroinclusion isn’t a question of better technology. It’s about enhancing connections. For too long, innovation built to serve neurodivergent people has developed in silos. Brilliant researchers work inside universities. Founders build promising technologies. Clinicians understand real-world needs. Investors look for scalable solutions. Advocates and neurodivergent individuals… Read More

Jan Schlueter has established a place for himself in the neurodiversity space. As an entrepreneur himself, he was brought into the Frist Center community for his tech background, and ended up finding a personal connection. What started as a career pivot became a mission with a family stake in it… Read More

ASCEND – the Assistive & Supportive Center for Empowerment, Neurodiversity & Development — officially launched this week on the campus of BrightStone in Franklin and will bring together leaders in research, technology, and community services, with self-advocates and civic stakeholders from the community. Our first ASCEND chapter is… Read More

The Frist Center for Autism and Innovation is proud to introduce a brand-new partnership initiative to transform how innovation in neurodivergent support reaches the communities that need it! ASCEND — the Assistive and Supportive Center for Empowerment, Neurodiversity and Development — will enable state chapters, rooted in community… Read More

All of our new 2026 interns on their first day at the center, on the left ASI lead Dave Caudel. This week, FCAI welcomed the newest cohort of students participating in our Autism Summer Internships (ASI). Through ASI, students gain meaningful, paid work experience with Vanderbilt and community partners while… Read More

WHAT IS THE STUDY? This study is by one of our own NISE fellows, Hari Srinivasan, and is taking place in person at the Wallace Lab on Vanderbilt Campus. The study is entitled: Virtual Bubbles, Real Insights. Investigating Peripersonal Space in Autism. A recent article by Vanderbilt Journalism Lab… Read More

Aspie Bootcamp: Python Course Instructor Myranda Shirk teaches the class on Zoom. Today marks the start of this year’s Aspie Bootcamp: Python, part of FCAI’s programming commitment to creating pathways for autistic and neurodivergent learners to build skills that support education and career goals. Over the course of the program,… Read More

During National Security Week, Vanderbilt University convened leaders from government, academia, and industry to examine how neurodivergent talent can strengthen national security and how workforce systems can better identify, recruit, and support cognitive diversity. The workshop was held in conjunction with the 2026 Asness Summit on Modern Conflict… Read More

The latest FCAI Salon Series recording is now available: The Educational Experience of Autistic Girls, featuring Dr. Brittney L. Goscicki (Lecturer, Department of Special Education, Vanderbilt University). You can find the recording on the FCAI YouTube, our website, or embedded below. In this session, Dr. Goscicki shares research… Read More

On April 16, 2026, the FCAI Director of Communications, Dr. Jessica Schonhut-Stasik, participated in the Transition Fair as part of TransitionTN’s Virtual Transition Academy, “Building Futures: Empowering Every Student for College and Career Readiness.” Hosted by the Tennessee Department of Education in partnership with the Tennessee Technical Assistance… Read More