Self-Advocacy
Autism Tennessee Announce Their 2025 Volunteer Open House
May. 10, 2025—On Monday, May 24th, 2025, our partners, Autism Tennessee, will be hosting their 2025 volunteer Open House, where visitors will be able to connect with their programs, meet current volunteers and facilitators, and AutismTN staff to learn more about how to make them part of your volunteer journey in 2025! Event Details 🗓️ Date: May...
Autism Tennessee Present Online Workshop: Mastering Budgeting and Financial Planning Essentials
May. 6, 2025—On Monday, May 19th, 2025, our partners, Autism Tennessee, will be hosting a training from their ACE’ing the Spectrum series, presented by Cornerstone: Financial Strategies Group. This training is “Mastering Budgeting and Financial Planning Essentials,” held online only via Zoom. It will cover basic concepts for financial empowerment and is intended for anyone starting to...
New Website by Neurodivergent Teen Launches to Support Aspiring College Students
Apr. 23, 2025—We’re excited to share this amazing resource, created by high school student Ellie Rosenthal-Strisik, a passionate advocate, neurodivergent student, and friend of the College Autism Network and Frist Center for Autism and Innovation. Ellie created this resource for students like themselves–not for their parents, counselors, or coaches to then translate for students. We’re excited to...
Employment-Based Mentorship Opportunity from NEXT Connects
Apr. 22, 2025—NEXT is once again recruiting students to participate in their FREE co-mentorship program. In 2024, more than 60 universities partnered with NEXT, and they’ve made over 100 student-mentor matches! Participants are matched with established professionals trained in neuroinclusion, and meet virtually for 8 conversations between now and September. The program is flexible, free, and fully virtual — making...
STUDY SEEKING RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS: UCLA Group Researching Autism and Health
Apr. 21, 2025—Complete a 30 minute to 1 hour survey about neurodivergence and health outcomes. Participants receive $30 in gift cards. eligibility Requirements 18-30 years old Living in the U.S. Identifies as neurodivergent (autism, ADHD, OCD, anxiety, depression, etc) Self diagnoses are welcome! Find out more Please review the attached flyer and contact healthsurvey@mednet.ucla.edu to learn more about...
NISE Fellow Hari Srinivasan and FCAI Fellow Dr. Tyler Derr Win Vanderbilt University Impact Awards
Apr. 18, 2025—We want to Congratulate two members of the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation family today, Dr. Tyler Derr and Hari Srinivasan. This week, Vanderbilt University acknowledged them with Impact Awards in the faculty and PhD student categories, respectively. Dr. Tyler Derr is a fellow of the Frist Center and an assistant professor of computer...
Free Nashville Movie Screening of Lost Potential: Unmasking the Autism Employment Crisis
Apr. 17, 2025—We are excited to advertise a free viewing of the new documentary “Lost Potential: Unmasking the Autism Employment Crisis” in Nashville this month. This movie dives into a struggle many with autism face: gaining employment and remaining employed. Following the movie, there will be a panel discussion and open forum on the challenges faced by...
Registration for April 2025 Job Seeker Coaching with Autism Tennessee Open Now!
Mar. 16, 2025—We are excited to announce the latest virtual job seeker training from our partner, Autism Tennessee. Autism Tennessee is running its EmployMe – Small Group Classes program through April 2025 (starting April 7th) and is inviting autistic job seekers to register now. Autism Tennessee designed this program to support autistic self-advocates in their job search....
Media Covers $7 Million in Canceled Grants to FCAI
Mar. 13, 2025—Due to funding cuts to the National Science Foundation made after the executive orders in the last several weeks, FCAI has lost $7 million in expected federal grant funding, and along with it some of our cornerstone programs for national impact. The $7 million in funding had been rigorously reviewed by NSF and was authorized...
Applications Now Open for Aspie Bootcamp: Python 2025
Jan. 23, 2025—The Frist Center for Autism and Innovation is pleased to announce that applications are open for the fourth year of our summer program Aspie Bootcamp: Python — our free, virtual, summer coding camp. This bootcamp is a great way to become eligible for future internship and employment opportunities with employers who seek job candidates that...