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

APPLICATIONS OPEN for Neurodiversity Summer Camps at Stanford University

December 20, 2025

Our friends at the Stanford Neurodiversity Project are excited to offer two great programs for Summer 2026. You can reach out to the team with questions at snp-reach@stanford.edu. They give acceptances out on a rolling basis and encourage early applications. SNP-REACH Dates: Cohort #1: July 6 – July 17, 2026 (HYBRID) Cohort #2: July 20…

Stanford Recruiting Camp Counselors for Two Summer Programs (APPLICATIONS OPEN!!)

December 20, 2025

Our friends at the Stanford Neurodiversity Project are recruiting dedicated undergraduate and graduate students who are passionate about neurodiversity, community service, advocacy, and have great organizational skills, to serve as camp leaders for both SNP-REACH and our pilot program, SNP-BRIDGE! 2026 Program Dates SNP-BRIDGE: June 15 – June 26, 2026 (HYBRID) SNP-REACH Cohort #1: July…

FCAI Launches NeuroTech Frontiers Incubation Program in Partnership with JANUS Innovation Hub

December 2, 2025

We at FCAI are proud to announce the launch of the Neurotech Frontiers Incubation Program, a groundbreaking initiative developed in partnership with JANUS Innovation Hub. This six-month hybrid program will support early-stage startups building technology solutions that enhance the lives of autistic and neurodivergent individuals, their families, and the professionals who support them. The program…

SEEKING RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS: PEACES Study Team Recruiting Autistic Undergraduates for Experience Study

November 29, 2025

What is the study? On behalf of the Postsecondary Education: Autistic Collegians’ Experience of Success (PEACES) study team, we encourage our partners to spread the word about this research study that honors the holistic lived experiences of autistic college students. One goal of this study is to create a publicly accessible national database that provides…

Free Virtual Mentorship Program NEXT Connects Accepting Applicants

November 25, 2025

xNEXT for Autism is now accepting applications for NEXT Connects, a free virtual mentorship program designed to help autistic college students and recent graduates make confident strides toward their next professional step. Participants are matched with a trained professional in their field of interest for a structured series of conversations that build clarity, skills, and…

Frist Center for Autism & Innovation Convenes Inaugural NeuroCorps Cohort

November 12, 2025

The Frist Center for Autism & Innovation (FCAI) at Vanderbilt University is proud to announce the successful convening of the inaugural NeuroCorps cohort on Monday and Tuesday this week. This brand-new program brings together six neurodivergent leaders, entrepreneurs, and business and non-profit leaders, comprising staff and visiting scholars, to advance neuroinclusion in the workplace and…

Creating a Neuroinclusive Profession: Congratulating Tim Vogus on New JMS “Says” Essay

November 8, 2025

The Frist Center for Autism and Innovation celebrates Deputy Director Dr. Tim Vogus on the publication of his new “JMS Says” essay, “Creating a Neuroinclusive Profession: Overcoming the Double Empathy Problem,” in the Journal of Management Studies. In this compelling piece, Vogus blends personal experience as the father of an autistic son with years of scholarship…

FCAI Director Keivan Stassun Guests on Imperfect Leaders Podcast

September 23, 2025

On September 7th, FCAI Director Keivan Stassun guested on the Imperfect Leaders Podcast, hosted by Jeffrey Cohn. From the Imperfect Leaders website: “There is no such thing as a perfect leader. We invite the country’s most admired leaders to talk about their imperfections and leadership journey.” Listen to the episode at this link or wherever…

RECORDING NOW AVAILABLE: FCAI August Salon Series with Holden Thorp

September 4, 2025

FCAI is excited to announce that our August Salon Series, featuring FCAI Distinguished Fellow and Editor-in-Chief of the Science Family of Journals, Holden Thorp, is now available online on our YouTube channel or embedded in this post. You can find out more about our Fellows and Affiliates and their Salon Series Talks here.

Neurodiverse Technologies Webinar with SANDI Ambassador Jimmy Humphreys NOW AVAILABLE

September 3, 2025

“From Barriers to Freedom: Jimmy’s Neurodivergent Journey to a Driver’s License.” In this powerful session, Jimmy explains why the SANDI Driving Simulator is essential for learners who struggle with traditional driver’s education. He highlights how SANDI provides the structure, practice, and confidence needed to prepare for life behind the wheel. If you missed it, you…