Autism Spectrum Disorders (TRIAD)

TRIAD is a Vanderbilt Kennedy Center program dedicated to improving assessment and treatment services for children with autism spectrum disorders and their families, while advancing knowledge and training.

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 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.

Emotion and Mood

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

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.