Resources
Microsoft Neurodiversity Program Celebrates 10 Years with Best Practice Guide
Apr. 20, 2025—Congratulations to the Microsoft team, which is celebrating 10 years of running the Microsoft Neurodiversity Program this Autism Awareness Month with a new guide. On April 15th, they launched their best practice guide, which “encapsulates a decade of insights from our program. These learnings have evolved into company-wide initiatives, and this guide aims to help...
March 31st — Neurodiverse Technologies Open House! Come and Experience SANDI at FCAI!
Mar. 16, 2025—Come to our open house on March 31st to experience SANDI the Simulator for Advanced Neurodivergent Driving Instruction! We are thrilled to invite you to the Neurodiverse Technologies Open House to experience SANDI, our groundbreaking virtual driving simulator designed to make driving education accessible, safe, and anxiety-free for student drivers. Event Details Where: Frist Center...
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...
Salon Series Lunch and Learn Tomorrow — REGISTER NOW!
Jan. 30, 2025—Tomorrow, Friday, Jan. 31, the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation will welcome a team of investors from A.E., a venture capital group and startup incubator team that has built a substantial venture capital fund specifically for projects/products that pertain to autism/neurodiversity and that may have commercial potential. As part of the Frist Center’s interest...
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...
Applications Open for Autism Summer Internship Opportunities for Summer 2025! Apply now!
Jan. 15, 2025—The Frist Center is excited to announce applications are now open for our Autism Summer Internship Program. The program is open to undergraduate students who identify as neurodiverse (either through formal or self-diagnosis). Through this internship, successful applicants will undergo a STEM project with a faculty mentor, under the guidance of the Frist Center for...
New Employer Resources Added to Website
Dec. 7, 2024—We are excited to announce the addition of the Neurodiversity Employment Toolkit to our resources page, a comprehensive resource designed for employers seeking to understand, recruit, and support neurodivergent talent. This Toolkit was expertly developed by a neurodiverse team, incorporating insights from individuals with lived experience, professionals in the field, and extensive academic research. The...
FCAI Presents Professor Santoshi Halder for Talk Addressing the Challenges and Strengths of Autistic Traits from India to the USA on Dec 10th! REGISTER NOW!
Dec. 5, 2024—The Frist Center for Autism and Innovation and Vanderbilt Kennedy Center are excited to present a distinguished lecture by Prof. Santoshi Halder, Ph.D., current Fulbright Scholar in Residence at Bluefield State University, on December 10, 2024. The presentation, “Exploring Autism Traits and Addressing their Challenges and Strengths: Excerpts from research in India and the USA,”...
AutismTN to Host Hybrid, Autistic-Led Panel on Introduction to Autistic Culture
Oct. 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...
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...