As a EKS NICHD Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, the Center's research is organized into four thematic areas. Each program is interdisciplinary and includes both biomedical and behavioral research.

Communication and Learning--Research on social, cognitive, and communication development, and on the effects of language and other social interventions on developmental outcomes of children who have developmental disabilities or who are at risk for developmental disabilities.

Developmental Neurobiology and Brain Plasticity--Biomedical research to understand the genetic and environmental influences governing brain development, the molecular and cellular mechanisms of neuronal communication, and the experience-dependent changes underlying the plasticity of neural circuits that mediate sensory information, motor coordination, communication, learning, memory, mood and emotion.

Mood and Emotion--Basic and clinical research to understand the underlying causes of behavioral and emotional disorders in children, adolescents and adults, with a particular emphasis on persons with developmental disabilities.

Families Research--Fundamental clinical research to examine the impact of developmental disabilities on family relations and family unit structure, with an emphasis on studies of siblings and their relationships over time.

Autism-- Research on the causes and treatment of autism spectrum disorders occurs across the Center's four research programs. It also is focused within the Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders (TRIAD) and the Marino Autism Research Institute.

EKS IDDRC Portal-- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center researchers and core staff can access information about research and support services within the national network of Eunice Kennedy Shriver Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Centers through the IDDRC web portal. See an overview of portal contents. Before you log into the portal for the first time, you will need to request a user account: go to www.aucd.org/ddrcportal and send an email requesting a log-in; or contact info@aucd.org.