Programs

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

Lionheart Academy of the Triad School Logo. ASCEND – the Assistive & Supportive Center for Empowerment, Neurodiversity & Development — officially launched this month on the campus of BrightStone in Franklin, and we are thrilled to announce that our second chapter is opening shortly in Greensboro, NC, at… 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

Thank you to the wonderful Dr. Nigel Newbutt, FCAI Affiliate from University of Florida, for sharing this opportunity! Applications are now open for PATHS Cohort 2, an 8-week program designed to prepare autistic talent for careers in the semiconductor industry. This program, co-designed with autistic personnel, is created specifically… Read More

On August 5, 2026, higher education, industry, and practitioner leaders will gather at Northeastern University in Boston for the 3rd Annual Northeast Regional Neurodiversity Coalition Conference. Hosted by the Northeastern Regional Neurodiversity Coalition (NRNC) in partnership with Northeastern University, the University of Rhode Island, and UConn,… 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

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

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