Autism Spectrum Disorder

NSF grant aligns with school’s Inclusion Engineering focus The National Science Foundation has awarded a highly competitive $5 million grant to Vanderbilt University that greatly expands a School of Engineering-led project for creating novel AI technology and tools and platforms that train and support individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder in… Read More

The ribbon-cutting of the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation with (l to r) Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affair Susan R. Wente, Bruce and Bridgitt Evans Dean of Engineering Philippe Fauchet, Jennifer R. Frist, BS’93, William R. “Billy” Frist, Frist Center for… Read More

A $10 million gift from alumna Jennifer R. Frist, BS’93, and husband William R. “Billy” Frist will endow a new center focused on supporting and developing the neurodiverse talents of individuals with autism at Vanderbilt University’s School of Engineering. The contribution continues the work of a Trans-Institutional Programs (TIPs)… Read More

Nilanjan Sarkar, professor of mechanical engineering, watches Brandon Roberson, a teen with Asperger’s syndrome, learn the rules of the road with the virtual reality driving simulator. April is National Autism Awareness Month A recent CDC announcement reports that one in 88 children have an Autism Spectrum Disorder, up from… Read More

A new Vanderbilt center that includes the dean of the School of Engineering aims to create a model pipeline to assist adults on the autism spectrum find meaningful and gainful employment while enhancing local business innovation. The Center for Autism & Innovation (VCAI) brings together academic researchers,… Read More

A computer on the third floor of Vanderbilt’s Featheringill Hall scans geometric patterns, deciding which missing shapes would most likely fit in. It fills in those blanks about as well as a human 17-year-old would, and it’s getting smarter, thanks to a study of the way certain people on the… Read More

Rep. Chaka Fattah (D-PA) interacts with Russell while Profs. Sarkar and Warren, look on. Fattah is the ranking Democrat on the appropriations subcommittee that funds the National Science Foundation. (Charles Votaw/APA) On May 7, Russell the Robot was engaging the movers and shakers on Capitol Hill. Normally, the… Read More