Self-Advocates and Civil Stakeholders

Our self-advocates and other civic stakeholders ensure that everything the Center undertakes is done with the engagement—the centering—of neurodiverse people, voices, lived experiences, and perspectives.

People

Programs

Impacts

Resources

Learn about the self-advocates and civil stakeholders who partner with us and who are present within our staff and leadership, to ensure the centering of neurodivergent individuals.

Learn about our programs that are led, managed, and run by self-advocates at the center.

Read about the impact that these programs and self-advocates have on the work of the center.

See all our resources for community partners and individuals interested in advocacy work.

Self-Advocate and Civil Stakeholder News

FCAI Associate Director Dave Caudel Interviewed on Autism Weekly Podcast

November 5, 2024

In an episode of Autism Weekly that dropped in September, our Associate Director Dave Caudel was interviewed about transforming workplaces for neurodivergent individuals. Autism Weekly is a podcast that discusses Autism news, current events, and inclusion. Each week, host Jeffrey Skibitsky welcomes a guest to the program to share their unique perspective and expertise regarding…

AutismTN to Host Hybrid, Autistic-Led Panel on Introduction to Autistic Culture

October 9, 2024

FCAI are excited to announce a free, hybrid, Autistic-led panel discussion titled “Introduction to Autistic Culture.” This event is the first in a series funded by HumanitiesTN and hosted by AutismTN. Additionally Associate Director Dave Caudel, a valued member of the AutismTN Advisory Board, is involved in this initiative: Event Details: Date: Thursday, October 24 Time: 6:00…

FCAI Program and Communications Coordinator Launches Non-Profit at the Intersection of Neurodiversity and Space Science: The Neuroverse Initiative

October 2, 2024

We are thrilled to share that our Program and Communications manager, Jessica Schonhut-Stasik, launched her non-profit, The Neuroverse Initiative (TNI), last week. This unique initiative operates at the intersection of space science and neurodiversity, with a mission to support neurodivergent space scientists in training, research, and advocacy. The mission statement of the new non-profit reads:…

NISE Fellow Hari Srinivasan Wins Research Award

July 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 Hari Srinivasan Appears on AMBIV Collective Panel; Recording Available

June 4, 2024

Last Wednesday, 29th May, NISE Fellow and self-advocate Hari Srinivasan appeared on an AMBIV panel entitled AANHPI Autism Self-Advocacy Panel. The recording of the webinar is at this link, or watch below. The webinar featured an empowering online panel that showcased autistic Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) self-advocates as they shared their…

Updated Version of the IDD Toolkit Released; Supporting Primary Care Providers

May 21, 2024

We are pleased to share with you an updated version of the IDD toolkit. This website provides information for providers of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). It offers best-practice tools and information regarding specific medical and behavioral concerns of adults with IDD, including resources for patients and families. One aspect of the revisions…

FCAI Program and Communications Manager Speaking at SciAccess 2024; FCAI, Disability Research, and Upcoming Non-Profit

May 6, 2024

On May 10-11th, 2024, we are thrilled to announce that FCAI Program and Communications Manager Jessica Schonhut-Stasik will deliver multiple talks at the free, virtual SciAccess conference. Jessica, along with an array of incredible speakers at the intersection of disability and STEM, will provide three unique talks outlined below. Registration is free and available at the…

FCAI NISE Fellow Wins NSF Graduate Research Fellowship

April 25, 2024

We are thrilled to announce that Hari Srinivasan, one of our Neurodiversity Inspired Science and Engineering Fellows at the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation, has been awarded the prestigious National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship for his work in Neuroscience. The NSF GRFP is a tremendous achievement and a testament to Hari’s hard work,…

NISE Fellow Hari Srinivasan Delivers Keynote at the Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development Autism Seminar Series

April 17, 2024

FCAI would like to congratulate Hari Srinivasan on his recent keynote address an the Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development’s 2023-24 Autism Seminar Series on April 3, 2024. Hari is a self-advocate, a PhD student in neuroscience at Vanderbilt University, a Paul & Daisy Soros Fellow, and a Neurodiversity Inspired Science and Engineering fellow…

NISE Fellow Hari Srinivasan to Deliver TedX Talk on April 20th; Open to the Public!

April 14, 2024

In the spirit of spreading ideas, TEDx is a program that brings people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, live speakers and TEDTalks videos combine to spark profound conversations and connections in a small group. The upcoming TEDxFolsom High School Youth event promises to be an inspiring experience. The speakers are…