Autism spectrum disorders
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a group of complex neurodevelopmental disorders. They include: Autistic Disorder, Asperger’s Disorder, Rett’s Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS). Autism spectrum disorders are present early in life and are characterized by varying degrees of impairment in the following areas: communication/language, social abilities, and restricted or unusual patterns of activities and interests. The symptoms and characteristics of autism spectrum disorders can be present in different combinations and at different levels of severity. Often specific behaviors of individuals with ASD vary widely from person to person.
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Services and Programs
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Printable Resources and Materials
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Links and Resources
- Autism Research Network
Provides a single source of information about the networks supported by the National Institutes of Health that are dedicated to understanding and treating autism. - Autism Society for Middle Tennessee
Monthly workshops, orientations, annual conferences, support groups, referral to local resources, phone support, educational and legislative advocacy, public awareness opportunities and trainings, and an active involvement in the larger disability community. - Autism Society of America
ASA is the nation’s leading grassroots autism organization, and exists to improve the lives of all affected by autism. - Autism Speaks
Autism-related resources regarding advocacy, family services, community oureach, charity events, research and more. - Autism Speaks - First 100 Days Kit
A tool kit to assist families in getting the
critical information they need in the first 100
days after an autism diagnosis. - Autism Speaks: Video Glossary
Free, web-based tool designed to help parents and professionals learn more about the early red flags and diagnostic features of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). - Autism Speaks: Walk Now for Autism
Autism Speaks' Walk Now for Autism is North America's largest grassroots autism walk program and our signature fundraising and awareness event. Join us at one of our walks across the United States, Canada or the United Kingdom. - Autism Spectrum, Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital Health Library
Information about autism spectrum disorders at the Monroe Carell, Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt - Autism, Family Village Library
Information about autism spectrum disorders at the Family Village. - Best Buddies (Vanderbilt Chapter)
Vanderbilt University's Best Buddies chapter. - Center for Disease Control - Autism Information Center
The Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Autism Information Center. - Interactive Autism Network
The Interactive Autism Network (IAN) is an innovative online project bringing together tens of thousands of people affected by autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and hundreds of researchers in a search for answers. - International Society for Autism Research
The International Society for Autism Research (INSAR) is a scientific and professional organization devoted to advancing knowledge about autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), including autism, Apserger syndrome and Pervasive Developmental Disorders Not Otherwise Specified. - Kevin C, Ess Research Laboratory
The Kevin C, Ess Research Laboratory studies the neurobiology of progenitor cells, specifically the mechanisms by which neural progenitors make cell fate decisions during development. - Mayer Johnson - The building blocks for learning and human expression
Mayer Johnson offers software products to families and professionals for symbol-based communication and education. - The Dan Marino Foundation
The Dan Marino Foundation’s mission is to “open doors” for children and young adults with special needs by supporting comprehensive integrated treatment programs, providing outreach services, advancing scientific research, and fostering independence through transition programs. - TRIAD School-Home Connection Workshop
Parent/teacher training in autism spectrum disorders
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Upcoming Events
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StudyFinder - Participate in a study related to Autism spectrum disorders
Vanderbilt Kennedy Center researchers need subjects to complete the studies listed below.
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- Autism Treatment: What Do We Know and What Do We Want to Know?
Zachary Warren, PhD, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics; Director, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders (TRIAD); Director, Autism Clinical Services; Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Investigator
Jeremy Veenstra-VanderWeele, MD, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Pediatrics, and Pharmacology; Director, The Fragile X Treatment Research Program, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Member
- New Approaches Toward Understanding the Genetic Architecture of Autism
Jonathan Haines, Ph.D., T. H. Morgan Professor of Human Genetics; Professor of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics; Director, Center for Human Genetics Research; Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Investigator presents at the monthly developmental disabilities grand rounds series for clinicians, researchers, trainees, and students, on March 23, 2011. - Angelman Syndrome and Rett Syndrome as Models of Autism Spectrum Disorders
Sarika Peters, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Member, presents at the monthly developmental disabilities grand rounds series for clinicians, researchers, trainees, and students on November 17, 2010. - Insights From Motor Control in Autism: Neurologic Basis and Therapeutic Intervention
Lecture on development and developmental disabilities for researchers, clinicians, and trainees on October 21, 2010. - Treatment & Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders – Families First Program - Lunch and Learn Video - May 18, 2010
Lisa Wallace, M.S., CCC-SLP, presents at the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Lunch and Learn on May 18, 2010. - Understanding Autism Through Peers, Play, and Performance
Blythe Corbett, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California-Davis MIND Institute, presented a special lecture at the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center on December 15, 2009. - How Autism Emerges: Patterns of Onset in the First Years of Life
Sally Ozonoff, Ph.D., presented, How Autism Emerges: Patterns of Onset in the First Years of Life, at the November 5, 2009 Lecture on Development and Developmental Disabilities. - Psychosocial and Biological Markers of Stress in the Lives of Mothers of Adolescents and Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Marsha Mailick Seltzer, Ph.D., presented at the October, 2009 Lecture on Developmental Disabilities at the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center. - Autism: From Science to Treatment Video
Video from the May 16 event at the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center. - Video: Immune Transcriptome Changes in the Temporal Cortex of Individuals with Autism
Immune Transcriptome Changes in the Temporal Cortex of Individuals with Autism presentation by Karoly Mirnics, M.D. on April 1, 2009. - Art Through the Eyes of Autism
Exhibit showcases visual artists with autism living in Middle Tennessee. The presentation is co-sponsored by the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, the Autism Society of Middle Tennessee, and VSA Arts Tennessee. - Video: Future Affective Technologies and Applications to Autism
Presentation by Rosalind Picard, Sc.D., Director of Affective Computing Research, Co-Director of Things That Think, Professor of Media Arts and Sciences, M.I.T. Media Laboratory - Walk for Autism 2008 Image Gallery
The Vanderbilt Kennedy Center participated in Walk Now for Autism. - Drug and Chemical Exposures in Animal Models Related to ASD
One of a series of scientific presentations given by researchers at the Marino Autism Research Scientific Symposium held at Vanderbilt University on April 22, 2008. - Molecular Dysfunction Following Environmental Intoxication During Gestation
One of a series of scientific presentations given by researchers at the Marino Autism Research Scientific Symposium held at Vanderbilt University on April 22, 2008. - Convergent Mechanisms in the Autism/Toxicology Oxidative Phenotype
One of a series of scientific presentations given by researchers at the Marino Autism Research Scientific Symposium held at Vanderbilt University on April 22, 2008. - Metals in ASD
One of a series of scientific presentations given by researchers at the Marino Autism Research Scientific Symposium held at Vanderbilt University on April 22, 2008. - Metabolic Consequences of Environmental Stressors
One of a series of scientific presentations given by researchers at the Marino Autism Research Scientific Symposium held at Vanderbilt University on April 22, 2008. - Environmental Agents in ASD: Molecular and Toxicologic Clues
One of a series of scientific presentations given by researchers at the Marino Autism Research Scientific Symposium held at Vanderbilt University on April 22, 2008. - Environmental Agents in ASD: Epidemiologic Perspective
One of a series of scientific presentations given by researchers at the Marino Autism Research Scientific Symposium held at Vanderbilt University on April 22, 2008. - Linking Genes and Neurobiology
One of a series of scientific presentations given by researchers at the Marino Autism Research Scientific Symposium held at Vanderbilt University on April 22, 2008. - Genetics of ASD
One of a series of scientific presentations given by researchers at the Marino Autism Research Scientific Symposium held at Vanderbilt University on April 22, 2008. - Opening Remarks: Welcome Introduction
Remarks from Jeff Balser, M.D., Ph.D., Dan Marino, and Wendy Stone, Ph.D. - Epidemiologic Approaches for Studying
One of a series of scientific presentations given by researchers at the Marino Autism Research Scientific Symposium held at Vanderbilt University on April 22, 2008. - Marino Autism Research Institute Scientific Symposium
The Marino Autism Research Institute Scientific Symposium was held at Vanderbilt University on April 22, 2008 to provide researchers with a platform to discuss the role of environment in increasing autism risk and impact on the diversity of behavioral and medical symptoms. - Introduction to Clinical and Behavioral Aspects of ASD
One of a series of scientific presentations given by researchers at the Marino Autism Research Scientific Symposium held at Vanderbilt University on April 22, 2008.
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