News
March 30th Autistics’ Roundtable Webinar will address autism on screen
Mar. 22, 2021—The next Autistics’ Roundtable Webinar will be all about autism and disability in entertainment media! It will take place at 10am central time on Tuesday, 3/30. Anyone and everyone is invited to join, using this Zoom link at 10am (CST) on Tuesday. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from three autistic adults, including Frist Center...
EY looking to hire hundreds of neurodivergent employees
Mar. 8, 2021—Ernst & Young (EY) has made the exciting decision to add hundreds of neurodivergent employees to their staff over the next few years. They are specifically recruiting individuals with a background in technology, coding or data analysis. Applicants are being screened on a rolling basis, and interested parties are encouraged to apply now! EY’s Nashville...
Interest session for neurodivergent Vanderbilt employees, or employees with neurodivergent family/friends
Feb. 22, 2021—On Thursday February 25th at 5 p.m. CT, Vanderbilt’s Office for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion will be hosting a virtual interest session to propose starting a Neurodiversity Employee Affinity Group at Vanderbilt. Individuals who identify as neurodivergent, parents of neurodivergent individuals and anyone else who is interested in or impacted by this topic are welcome...
“This Moment in America” event to feature Frist staffer as panelist
Feb. 22, 2021—This week, Vanderbilt’s Office for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion is hosting an event intended to gather minority perspectives on the present state of life in America. The event will feature a panel of diverse Vanderbilt students, faculty and staff, moderated by Dr. André L. Churchwell, the vice chancellor for equity, diversity and inclusion and chief...
Tennessean op-ed on ableism in media, Sia’s “Music,” written by autistic advocate
Feb. 16, 2021—The Tennessean, a USA Today network newspaper, recently published an opinion article written by Frist Center communications coordinator Claire Barnett. The piece, titled “Disabled characters should be played by disabled actors | Opinion,” explains into the importance of disabled people having a first-person voice in their own media representation. Barnett, who is autistic and ADHD,...
Workforce Readiness and Preparation camp registration open for summer 2021
Feb. 12, 2021—This upcoming summer, the Currey Ingram Academy will be hosting a three-week program called Workforce Readiness and Preparation (WRaP) for autistic students age 15-20. Currey Ingram Academy and the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation initially collaborated to develop WRaP three years ago. The WRaP program exists to help students diagnosed with autism strengthen their...
February 18th webinar to cover autism & romantic relationships
Feb. 11, 2021—Another Autistics’ Roundtable Webinar is right around the corner! The February installment, which will take place at 11am central time on Thursday, 2/18, will focus on autistic adults and romantic relationships. Anyone and everyone is invited to use this Zoom link to join in. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from a relationship counselor...
Summer internship application open for 2021
Jan. 25, 2021—This upcoming summer, the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation will hold its third annual Summer Autism Internship Program. This will include a cohort of research interns and student volunteers, all of whom are neurodivergent. You may apply to be a research intern if you are currently completing or have just completed your bachelor’s degree. You may apply...
Register for December 16th webinar on Neurodiversity & mental health
Dec. 11, 2020—We are excited to announce that the December Autistics’ Roundtable webinar will focus on neurodiversity and mental health! Tune in on Wednesday, December 16th at 2pm (CT) to hear from an expert clinician and four self-advocates about their experiences with the unique mental health challenges faced by autistic adults. Our main speaker will be Dr....
Frist Center seeking applications for new fellows, affiliates
Oct. 26, 2020—The Frist Center for Autism and Innovation has just announced its 2020 call for membership, which allows Vanderbilt faculty and staff to apply to become affiliates or fellows of the Center. The work of current fellows and affiliates has resulted in multi-million-dollar grants and was recently highlighted nationally on CBS’s 60 Minutes with Anderson Cooper. Frist...