neurodiversity
College Autism Network Summer Webinar Series
Apr. 23, 2025—Announcing the College Autism Network Summer Webinar Series exploring Autistic Students on Campus, co-sponsored by the College Autism Network and College Ready. This series of webinars will be hosted by Lee Burdette Williams, executive director of the College Autism Network, and Matt Gunter, Founder of College Ready and Inclusive Academia. Four webinars, four topics 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...
Welcome to the Frist Center Blog: Where Innovation Meets Neurodiversity
Apr. 17, 2025—Welcome to the first ever post of the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation (FCAI) blog! We are beyond excited to introduce you to this space which we hope will flourish into a hub of connection. Housed in the School of Engineering at Vanderbilt University, the Frist Center is at the forefront of integrating leading...
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...
Dr. Tim Vogus to Deliver Jane Hannah Roundtable Talk at Currey Ingram Academy on April 10th — Register Now!
Apr. 3, 2025—On April 10th, Deputy Director of Business Innovations for FCAI, Dr. Tim Vogus, will deliver a Jane Hannah Roundtable talk at the Annette Eskind Institute of Learning at the Currey Ingram Academy, entitled “Embracing Neurodiversity and Making Organizations Inclusive for All“. The mission of the Annette Eskind Institute of Learning (AEIOL) is to strengthen the...
Announcing “From Autism Acceptance to Advantage” Event, Hosted by AllianceBernstein in NYC — Register NOW!
Mar. 24, 2025—This Autism Acceptance Month, the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation and Vanderbilt University are partnering with Alliance Bernstein to host an NYC event entitled, From Autism Acceptance to Advantage: Learning from Autism to Create Innovative Workplaces and Teams. Celebrate Autism Acceptance Month and learn how to make your organization and your teams more effective,...
Article in The Tennessean Highlights the Need to Hiring a Neurodivergent Workforce
Mar. 19, 2025—This week in The Tennessean, guest columnists Keivan G. Stassun (Dirctor of FCAI) and Jon Perlin (Advisory Board of FCAI) highlight overlooked talents of neurodivergent workers in today’s job market. While major tech companies like Amazon and Dell have made strides in hiring neurodivergent individuals, there are still millions who remain unrecognized. They argue that...
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...