Vanderbilt Kennedy Center

04/08/2026

From the latest issue of VKC Notables: From fetal development through our senior years, the brain is changing. VKC researcher Sophia Vinci-Booher, Ph.D., recently published a paper in the journal Trends in Cognitive Sciences in which she explains a novel way of studying the growth and development of our brains during periods of “rapid brain change” to create a full understanding of the changes it undergoes throughout the lifespan.

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

ARTICLE LINK: https://notables.vkcsites.org/2026/03/vinci-booher-paper-examines-brain-change-during-learning-intervention-other-important-moments-of-fluctuation/

From fetal development through our senior years, the brain is changing. Some brain changes are slow, unfolding over decades and years. Yet other brain changes are rapid, unfolding over weeks, days, and even hours, and happen...Read more

04/06/2026

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
VKC Special Lecture: "The Benefits and Risks of ADHD Medication: Evidence from Real-World Practice"

Monday, April 13, 12-1 p.m. CT

Online, or in person at the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center/One Magnolia Circle Building, OMC Room 241.

REGISTER HERE: https://vkc.vumc.org/events/7178
A small number of lunches will be provided, first come, first served.

Presented by Brian D'Onofrio, Ph.D., Sharon Stephens Brehm Endowed Professor, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with significant impairment across the lifespan. ADHD treatment guidelines recommend pharmacotherapy based largely on highly controlled randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Yet, there are serious limitations of the existing RCTs that hinder the potential to apply an evidence-based approach to ADHD treatment. To help address these limitations and inform clinical care, this presentation will review evidence from large-scale observational studies leveraging national datasets and advanced epidemiologic designs.

04/02/2026

Thank you to WSMV 4, Nashville for sharing the importance of participating in research AND including individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities among clinical trial populations!

ARTICLE LINK: https://www.wsmv.com/2026/03/24/atlanta-man-travels-nashville-down-syndrome-alzheimers-study/?fbclid=IwY2xjawQyVGRleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFkYzBYSXlMeElwR20zOU5kc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHgZ0ia7qmD8fLSW9BJ7Msv_M6tYG0jjGFG3xEWpqpEaw5eQssgjSXtuhPGt8_aem_khl5l5V_n6mKJlRBeAMDq

Evan Dewey has been making trips to Nashville from his home in Atlanta for more than a year, traveling by bus every couple of weeks with his retired father to participate in a study at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

04/01/2026

Happy Autism Acceptance Month, everyone!

The folks at Sesame Street Workshop have developed a See Amazing in All Children initiative, featuring new resources to help families discover, support, and share the amazing in all children. Check them out below.

April is Autism Acceptance Month! As part of their See Amazing in All Children initiative, we have developed new resources to help families discover, support, and share the amazing in all children. Learn more: https://m.sesame.org/autismresourcefb.

03/31/2026

TONIGHT!

We are so excited for the third annual Evening for Autism on Tuesday, Mar. 31, starting at 6 p.m. at The Nashville Palace! Come listen to great music and support Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders (TRIAD). Live music, a silent auction, and more! Purchase tickets in advance or at the door.

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE: https://give.vanderbilthealth.org/event/an-evening-for-autism-2026/e771105

FB EVENT PAGE: https://business.facebook.com/events/4190901361173972/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22attachment%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22newsfeed%22%7D]%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D

03/30/2026

TODAY AT NOON!

The Vanderbilt University Frist Center for Autism and Innovation and the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center invite you to join us for a powerful Salon Series presentation:
"Pathologically Genuine: Lived Experiences of a Late-Diagnosed Autistic Professor, Former Provost, Dean, & VP Research"
Speaker: Dr. Jim Coleman, Professor of Biology, UNC-Greensboro
🗓️ Monday, March 30th
🕛 Noon - 1pm CT
💻 Hybrid Event (VKC One Magnolia Circle 241 and Zoom): https://ow.ly/TWAA50Y2UKz

Dr. Coleman's story is remarkable: diagnosed with autism at 59 after 25 years in senior academic leadership, he describes the diagnosis as transformative—"as if he thought of himself as a messed-up horse for sixty years, only to discover he was a zebra."
Now in the teaching and advocacy phase of his career, Dr. Coleman has taught over 1,000 students since 2021, including more than 100 neurodivergent students. He volunteers with his therapy dog Brea at schools for autistic children and students with learning disabilities, serves on the board of Lionheart Academy, and is writing "Pathologically Genuine"—a memoir about his journey.
This presentation will cover:
🔹 Observations comparing neurodivergent student support at traditional universities vs. specialized autism schools
🔹 Vignettes from working with graduate, undergraduate, and K-12 neurodivergent students
🔹 Stories and themes from his book project, including being pathologically genuine, the concept of "unwelt," stimming, loneliness, and the disconnect between autism research and lived experience
This won't be your typical academic research presentation—expect authenticity, humor, and insights that challenge conventional thinking about autism and neurodiversity in education.

Register here: https://ow.ly/TWAA50Y2UKz

03/30/2026

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! "Then and Now: Living with Communication Impairments and Deaf/Hard of Hearing"

Wednesday, April 8, 5:30 p.m.
Martin Luther King, Jr. School
613 17th Ave. N., Nashville

RSVP HERE: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdS81OdslatP6PtLuO_ghPAtPfpyl7J5pkH33X5OUpbfDAk5Q/viewform

Join us for the next program in this year's Then and Now series, as we finish our three-part journey to learn more about our communities living with disabilities.
As Nashville continues to experience tremendous growth, it has become an increasingly diverse home to different minority communities. Now in its third year, Then and Now explores the history and impact of these communities through the scholarly work of noted historians and the personal stories of community members. Moderated by Dr. André L. Churchwell, Senior Advisor on Inclusion and Community Outreach at Vanderbilt University. Then and Now is presented by Vanderbilt University and hosted by Nashville Public Library Special Collections.

The History of Our Communities: Living with Communication Impairments and Deaf/Hard of Hearing As Nashville continues to experience tremendous growth, it has become an increasingly diverse home to different minority communities. Now in its third year, Then and Now explores the history and impact of....

03/28/2026

ON TUESDAY, MARCH 31!

We are so excited for the third annual Evening for Autism on Tuesday, Mar. 31, starting at 6 p.m. at The Nashville Palace! Come listen to great music and support Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders (TRIAD). Live music, a silent auction, and more! Purchase tickets in advance or at the door.

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE: https://give.vanderbilthealth.org/event/an-evening-for-autism-2026/e771105

FB EVENT PAGE: https://business.facebook.com/events/4190901361173972/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22attachment%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22newsfeed%22%7D]%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D

03/27/2026

Evan Dewey and his family travel from Atlanta to participate in the ABATE study, a clinical trial evaluating a treatment that could reduce the likelihood of Alzheimer’s disease development in individuals with Down syndrome.

LINK:

Evan Dewey travels with his father on a bus from Atlanta to take part in the ABATE clinical trial. Clinical trials related to Alzheimer’s for those with Down syndrome are new, even though they are a high-risk group.

03/27/2026

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
VKC Special Lecture: "The Benefits and Risks of ADHD Medication: Evidence from Real-World Practice"

Monday, April 13, 2026, 12:00-1:00 p.m. CT
OMC 241, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center/One Magnolia Circle Building and online
REGISTER HERE: https://vkc.vumc.org/events/7178
A small number of lunches will be provided, first come, first served.

Presented by Brian D'Onofrio, Ph.D., Sharon Stephens Brehm Endowed Professor, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with significant impairment across the lifespan. ADHD treatment guidelines recommend pharmacotherapy based largely on highly controlled randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Yet, there are serious limitations of the existing RCTs that hinder the potential to apply an evidence-based approach to ADHD treatment. To help address these limitations and inform clinical care, this presentation will review evidence from large-scale observational studies leveraging national datasets and advanced epidemiologic designs.

03/26/2026

NEXT TUESDAY! DO YOU HAVE YOUR TICKETS YET?

We are so excited for the third annual Evening for Autism on Tuesday, Mar. 31, starting at 6 p.m. at The Nashville Palace! Come listen to great music and support Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders (TRIAD).

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE: https://give.vanderbilthealth.org/event/an-evening-for-autism-2026/e771105

03/26/2026

MARK YOUR CALENDARS AND SHARE! FREE webinar for daycare providers!

"Partnering with TEIS to Support Success for Children with Developmental Delays"
Thursday, April 16
11 a.m.-12 p.m. CT (12-1 p.m. ET)
RSVP HERE: https://redcap.vumc.org/surveys/?s=FF73C7MTRRACX8MJ

Is your child in a daycare setting? If so, Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders (TRIAD) has an upcoming training open to their teachers! At the end of this training, participants will be able to plan for how to use evidence-based classroom strategies to set up students for success; identify ways to partner with TN Early Intervention Services (TEIS) developmental therapists; and understand how to support caregivers in initiating the TEIS referral process.

Register HERE: https://redcap.vumc.org/surveys/?s=FF73C7MTRRACX8MJ