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

Act Early Summit Project - Tennessee Team
Since the multistate Act Early Summit in January 2009, the VKC UCEDD and LEND have provided leadership and support to continue the activities of the Tennessee team, which meets quarterly.
April is Autism Awareness Month
A time for learning, educating, and advocating
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) refers to a common group of neurodevelopmental disorders that affect social interaction, language and communication, and behavior. Although these areas of challenges are common to ASD, this brain-based disorder affects individuals in different ways.
Arts Program at the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center
Programs include exhibits by artists with disabilities and activities for people with disabilities to practice and express themselves through art.
Input needed on autism service needs in TN: Autism Plan Survey and Community Conversations
A time for learning, educating, and advocating
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) refers to a common group of neurodevelopmental disorders that affect social interaction, language and communication, and behavior. Although these areas of challenges are common to ASD, this brain-based disorder affects individuals in different ways.
Research Family Partners
Research Family Partners is a program that helps families connect with Vanderbilt Kennedy Center research studies in which they may be interested in taking part.
Tennessee Kindred Stories of Disability
Families, friends and service providers share their stories about people living with disability in Tennessee.
Treatment and Research Institute for 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.
Vanderbilt Autism Resource Line - Toll-Free Helpline at Vanderbilt University
The central resource for autism-related services at Vanderbilt University.

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Printable Resources and Materials

Autism Parent Guide: Information for Parents of School-Age Children
If you are the parent or caregiver of a school-age child who has been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), this booklet is written for you.
Autism Parent Guide: Information for Parents of Toddlers and Preschoolers
If you are the parent or caregiver of a young child in Tennessee who has recently received a diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), this booklet is written for you.
Autism Spectrum Disorders Tip Sheet
Autism Tip Sheet for Librarians
Autism Treatment Network Research Repository
Families of children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can participate in a research repository so we can better understand medical concerns associated with ASD.
El entrenamiento para ir al baño y los trastornos del espectro autista
Este folleto está dirigido a padres y tutores de niños con trastornos del espectro autista (ASD por sus siglas en inglés), que están empezando el proceso de entrenamiento para ir al baño.
iPad Apps for Education
A list of useful iPad based apps that we have compiled for helping children with autism spectrum disorder.
No-Tech and Low-Tech AAC for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Guide for Parents
For parents of children who have an autism spectrum disorder and use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).
Parent's Guide to Blood Draws for Children with Autism
The purpose of this pamphlet is to present ways for you and your child to cope with the stress and worry that may come with blood draws.
Parent's Guide to Psychological Evaluations for ASD
For parents whose pediatricians recommend their child be evaluated for an autism spectrum disorder.
Planeando la vida después de la escuela secundaria (la prepa) para estudiantes con espectro autista estudiantes con espectro autista
Una guía para las familias de Tennessee
Planning Life After High School for Students on the Autism Spectrum
A guide for Tennessee families.
Provider's Guide to Blood Draws for Children with Autism
The purpose of this toolkit is to provide a guide to strategies that you and your practice can use to help children with ASD more easily complete routine medical procedures and blood draws while reducing the stress felt by your patients and their parents.
STAT-MD Training Workshop
This training teaches enhanced diagnostic consultation and screening procedures to pediatric health care providers for early identification of autism spectrum disorders.
Strategies to Improve Sleep in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Parent’s Guide
For parents whose pediatricians recommend their child be evaluated for an autism spectrum disorder.
Tips on Autism for Health Care Providers
A document containing tips regarding autism specially designed for health care providers.
Toilet Training and Autism Spectrum Disorders
For parents and caregivers of young children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) who are beginning the process of toilet training.
TRIAD Brochure
The Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders
TRIAD Social Skills Assessment
Assessing children who have autism spectrum disorders.
Una breve guía para padres acerca del autismo
Información para padres de niños pequeños y preescolares.
Una breve guía para padres acerca del autismo:Información para padres de niños pequeños y preescolares
Información para padres de niños pequeños y preescolares.
Una guía breve para padres sobre los trastornos del espectro autista
Información para padres de niños en edad escolar.
Vanderbilt Autism Resource Line flyer
A resource for information about clinical, research, and outreach services at Vanderbilt University.
Visual Supports and Autism Spectrum Disorders
This brochure discusses the use of pictures or other visual items to communicate with a child who has difficulty understanding or using language.
VKC Autism-Related Education, Training, Research, Intervention, and Public Policy
A list of ASD-related projects and activities affiliated with the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center.

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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: Challenging Behaviors Tool Kit
Sometimes the difficulties of autism can lead to behaviors that are quite challenging for us to understand and address. Most individuals with autism will display challenging behaviors of some sort at some point in their lives. Autism Speaks has created this Challenging Behaviors Tool Kit to provide you with strategies and resources to address these behaviors, and to help support you and your loved one with autism during these difficult situations.
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.
Grant bolsters VU autism training for Tennessee educators
A grant from the Tennessee Department of Education will allow the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center’s Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders (TRIAD) to continue a 13-year partnership to provide autism-specific training opportunities for school personnel throughout the state.
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

June, 22 2013 - Registration Required
Families First Program, Summer 2013: Developing Successful Sleep and Feeding Habits
June, 25 2013 - Registration Required
Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2) Clinical Training, June 2013
July, 11 2013 - Registration Required
School-Age Training Services (K-12)
TRIAD Workshop: Autism Assessment in Educational Settings (Middle Tennessee)
July, 11 2013 - Registration Required
School-Age Training Services (K-12)
TRIAD Workshop: Autism Assessment in Educational Settings (East Tennessee)
July, 15 2013 - Registration Required
School-Age Training Services (K-12)
TRIAD Workshop: Autism Assessment in Educational Settings (West Tennessee)
July, 17 2013 - Registration Required
School-Age Training Services (K-12)
TRIAD Summer Institute: Self-Contained Classroom Focus
July, 20 2013 - Registration Required
Families First Program, Summer 2013: Building Functional Social and Play Skills
July, 23 2013 - Registration Required
School-Age Training Services (K-12)
TRIAD Summer Workshop: Inclusion Classroom Focus
August, 17 2013 - Registration Required
Families First Program, Summer 2013: Addressing Challenging Behaviors
September, 17 2013 - Registration Required
School-Age Training Services (K-12)
TRIAD Teacher Training: Elementary/Middle School (Middle Tennessee)
October, 08 2013 - Registration Required
School-Age Training Services (K-12)
TRIAD Teacher Training: Elementary/Middle School (West Tennessee)
November, 05 2013 - Registration Required
School-Age Training Services (K-12)
TRIAD Teacher Training: Elementary/Middle School (East Tennessee)

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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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Video, Podcast and Images

Social Interaction and Stress in Autism
September 5, 2012
Developmental Disabilities Grand Rounds
Blythe Corbett, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, VKC Investigator
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.