Vanderbilt Kennedy Center

06/23/2026

Registration is now open for Family Voices of Tennessee and Tennessee Disability Coalition Conference, set for June 26-27 at the Hilton Garden Inn Nashville/Franklin Cool Springs! Learn more and register for the conference here: https://tndisability.org/event/conference/.

Registration is FREE but is required to attend.

This conference is a two-day event designed for Tennesseans with disabilities, parents, family members of children, youth, and adults with special health care needs, chronic illness, and disabilities. Learn how to advocate for your needs, build confidence navigating health care and community programs, and connect with others who understand the journey. Topics include Katie Beckett, ECF CHOICES, and transitioning from youth services to adult life.

This event is funded in part by the Tennessee Department of Health Maternal Child Block Grant to train, connect and support families of children with special health care needs, chronic illness and disability.

Join Family Voices of Tennessee and Tennessee Disability Coalition on Friday, June 26th from 5pm-7pm CT and Saturday, June 27th from 8:30am-3:30pm CT, for our FREE Conference at the Hilton...

06/22/2026

In a groundbreaking study published recently in the journal Nature, researchers at Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt Health have created the first growth charts for white matter in the brain over a human lifetime. The work brings together nearly two decades of Vanderbilt research collaborations, the university’s extensive MRI data collections, and an advanced AI-enabled computing platform.

LINK:

In a groundbreaking study published recently in the journal Nature, researchers at Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt Health have created the first growth charts for white matter in the brain over a human lifetime. The work brings together nearly two decades of Vanderbilt research collaborations,....

06/18/2026

From the latest issue of VKC Notables: Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (VKC) member Audrey Bowden, Ph.D., is a professor of Biomedical Engineering and Electrical and Computer Engineering. Bowden’s lab develops light-based technologies such as optical coherence tomography and functional near-infrared spectroscopy to assess health, detect disease, and monitor treatment.

In the interview below, Bowden shares how she became interested in disabilities research, describes her current research projects, and highlights how becoming a member of the VKC enhances the work she does.

Not subscribed to Notables yet? Visit https://vkc.vumc.org/subscribe/ to sign up!

ARTICLE LINK: https://notables.vkcsites.org/2026/05/leading-the-vanguard-audrey-bowden/

Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (VKC) member Audrey Bowden, Ph.D., is a professor of Biomedical Engineering and Electrical and Computer Engineering. Bowden’s lab develops light-based technologies such as optical coherence tomography and functional near-infrared spectroscopy to assess health,...Read more

06/17/2026

FREE FAMILY ACTIVITY THIS WEEKEND!

SENSE Theatre® Presents "Mergatroid and the Candy Store"
By Blythe Corbett, Ph.D.
Music by Ed Bazel & Tammy Vice • Lyrics by Blythe Corbett
Directed by Leah Lowe, Ph.D.

Performances on Friday, June 19, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, June 20, 2 p.m.

Free admission. RSVP at https://redcap.link/j7nffrq2 or scan the QR code.

SENSE Theatre® – A Stage of Hope For Children, Adolescents and Adults With Autism – is a unique intervention research program designed to improve the social and emotional functioning of individuals with autism. The intervention research is supported by Innovation Catalyst Fund, The Brock Center, and ACM Lifting Lives®. SENSE Theatre® is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at: senselab.vkcsites.org.

For more information please contact the SENSE Lab at (615) 513-9562 or [email protected].

06/15/2026

From the latest issue of VKC Notables: The 25th Annual International Society for Autism Research (INSAR) Meeting took place in Prague, Czech Republic, providing attendees and participants with opportunities to build collaborations, learn, and identify future directions in research, assessments, and therapies. Many faculty and staff from TRIAD — the autism research institute at the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center —- were in attendance.

Not subscribed to Notables yet? Visit https://vkc.vumc.org/subscribe/ to sign up!

ARTICLE LINK: https://notables.vkcsites.org/2026/05/triad-at-the-international-society-for-autism-research-insar/

Each year the International Society for Autism Research (INSAR) brings together researchers, practitioners, and advocates across a variety of disciplines to meet and share new scientific progress in autism research from around the world. This year,...Read more

06/11/2026

From the latest issue of VKC Notables: In Germany, a Festschrift—literally “festival writing”—is an academic tribute that honors a scholar through collected works and new research from peers. On April 16–17, Vanderbilt Peabody Collegehosted a unique event based around this tradition honoring the late Lynn Fuchs, longtime VKC member and a preeminent figure in special education and the psychological sciences,

Not subscribed to Notables yet? Visit https://vkc.vumc.org/subscribe/ to sign up!

ARTICLE LINK: https://news.vanderbilt.edu/2026/05/04/festschrift-honors-lifelong-scholarship-of-lynn-fuchs-renowned-special-education-and-psychological-sciences-scholar/?fbclid=IwY2xjawRwUGxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeNA6_ixoim8BQpsjO7fSdBTycdSa8i8a0E-vqTaybdbaK-JwEjrs6qzK0iJI_aem_RX48cNZFHV0IF-trpK2xkA

By Jennifer Kiilerich In Germany, a Festschrift—literally “festival writing”—is an academic tribute that honors a scholar through collected works and new research from peers. On April 16–17, Vanderbilt Peabody College of education and human development hosted a unique event based around th...

06/08/2026

From the latest issue of VKC Notables: The research article “Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Mental Health Challenges: Caregiver Familiarity with Clinical Services,” recently published in the journal Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, sheds a light on the disparity of mental health services – and the knowledge of what is available – for children and youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Not subscribed to Notables yet? Visit https://vkc.vumc.org/subscribe/ to sign up!

ARTICLE LINK: https://notables.vkcsites.org/2026/05/research-paper-highlights-gap-between-mental-health-concerns-in-children-with-idd-receiving-needed-services/

The research article “Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Mental Health Challenges: Caregiver Familiarity with Clinical Services,” recently published in the journal Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, sheds a light on the disparity of mental health...Read more

06/04/2026

From the latest issue of VKC Notables: Stuttering is widely studied in the general population, but far less is known about how it presents in individuals with Down syndrome. In a 2025 study, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (VKC) researchers combined clinical expertise, electronic health records (EHRs), and genetic analysis to better understand speech differences in individuals with Down syndrome.

Not subscribed to Notables yet? Visit https://vkc.vumc.org/subscribe/ to sign up!

ARTICLE LINK: https://notables.vkcsites.org/2026/05/understanding-stuttering-in-down-syndrome/

Stuttering is widely studied in the general population, but far less is known about how it presents in individuals with Down syndrome. In a 2025 study, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (VKC) researchers combined clinical expertise, electronic health...Read more

06/02/2026

In Germany, a Festschrift—literally “festival writing”—is an academic tribute that honors a scholar through collected works and new research from peers. On April 16–17, Vanderbilt Peabody College hosted a unique event based around this tradition honoring the late Lynn Fuchs, Dunn Family Professor of Psychoeducational Assessment, Emerita. Fuchs, a longtime VKC member, was and continues to be a preeminent figure in special education and the psychological sciences.

LINK: https://news.vanderbilt.edu/2026/05/04/festschrift-honors-lifelong-scholarship-of-lynn-fuchs-renowned-special-education-and-psychological-sciences-scholar/?fbclid=IwY2xjawRwUGxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeNA6_ixoim8BQpsjO7fSdBTycdSa8i8a0E-vqTaybdbaK-JwEjrs6qzK0iJI_aem_RX48cNZFHV0IF-trpK2xkA

By Jennifer Kiilerich In Germany, a Festschrift—literally “festival writing”—is an academic tribute that honors a scholar through collected works and new research from peers. On April 16–17, Vanderbilt Peabody College of education and human development hosted a unique event based around th...

05/28/2026

RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS NEEDED!

Infant/toddler siblings of a child with may be eligible for the Sibwatch research study to monitor development.

Siblings of children on the autism spectrum have a higher likelihood of language delays, developmental delays, and autism. SibWatch is a research study that includes developmental monitoring with the opportunity for intervention.

Infants and toddlers younger than 24 months who have an older sibling diagnosed with autism may be able to participate. Participants will receive ongoing evaluation of their infant/toddler’s development, an opportunity to receive intervention, and a developmental report of their child’s progress. Participation will total 9 months with a follow-up visit at 12 months.

You may be eligible if:
1. Your infant/toddler is younger than 24 months old;
2. Your infant/toddler is a biological sibling of a child with an autism diagnosis; and
3. You speak English with your infant/toddler for most of the day.

Participants will receive ongoing evaluation of your infant/toddler's development, an opportunity to receive intervention, a toy set, a book of strategies for supporting communication, and a developmental report of your child's progress. Participation in this study will total 9 months with a follow-up at 12 months. Participants are compensated for their time.

For more information, scan the QR code or visit https://redcap.link/rgyz2w43.