Vanderbilt University Frist Center for Autism and Innovation

Vanderbilt University Frist Center for Autism and Innovation Frist Center for Autism and Innovation | Vanderbilt University | School of Engineering

🎉 ASCEND is heading to North Carolina with the launch of our second chapter at Lionheart Academy of the Triad in Greensb...
08/24/2026

🎉 ASCEND is heading to North Carolina with the launch of our second chapter at Lionheart Academy of the Triad in Greensboro!

This exciting partnership brings cutting-edge assistive technology into a school dedicated to helping neurodivergent students build independence, confidence, and lifelong success.
Together, we're creating more opportunities for innovation, inclusion, and empowerment—one community at a time.

đź’™ Read the full press release to see how this partnership is helping shape the future of assistive technology and neurodiversity support.

After nearly a decade of visionary leadership, FCAI founding director Keivan Stassun will depart Vanderbilt at the end o...
08/21/2026

After nearly a decade of visionary leadership, FCAI founding director Keivan Stassun will depart Vanderbilt at the end of this year to begin a new chapter at the University of Georgia.

Keivan founded FCAI in 2016 with a key conviction: that neurodivergent people possess strengths and perspectives that too often go unrecognized. That vision has shaped who we are and will remain at the heart of our work.

We’re deeply grateful for Keivan’s leadership, friendship, and lasting impact on FCAI. We are so excited to see what he will do next!

Read our full announcement and celebration of Keivan’s legacy: https://www.vanderbilt.edu/autismandinnovation/founding-director-keivan-stassun-to-leave-fcai-for-new-leadership-role-at-uga/

🚀 Registration is NOW OPEN for the 2026 NeuroTech Frontiers Conference!Join us October 13–15, 2026, at Vanderbilt Univer...
07/30/2026

🚀 Registration is NOW OPEN for the 2026 NeuroTech Frontiers Conference!

Join us October 13–15, 2026, at Vanderbilt University for three days of collaboration and discussion on our favorite topic: neurodiversity-inspired assistive technology!

This year's summit will feature:
✨ Research, technology, and advocacy sessions
🏆 NEW NeuroTech Frontiers Awards
đź’ˇ Pitch competition
🤝 Exhibitor showcase
🎤 Opportunities to connect with leaders shaping the future of neurotechnology

Interested in speaking or exhibiting? Contact Jan Schlueter. Media inquiries can be directed to Jessica Schonhut-Stasik.
We can't wait to welcome our community back for an even bigger and better NeuroTech Frontiers Conference!

🎟️ Register today through the NeuroTech Frontiers website.

🎉 The first-ever ASCEND Chapter has officially launched in Franklin, TN!This ASCEND chapter is a collaboration between B...
07/29/2026

🎉 The first-ever ASCEND Chapter has officially launched in Franklin, TN!

This ASCEND chapter is a collaboration between BrightStone, FCAI, and , bringing together research, technology, and community to create real-world solutions that empower neurodivergent individuals.

Located on BrightStone's campus, this flagship chapter will serve as a "living lab" where innovative assistive technologies can be demonstrated, tested, and refined alongside the people they're designed to support.

Stay tuned to hear all about our second chapter later in the week!

đź“– Read the full press release here: https://www.vanderbilt.edu/autismandinnovation/first-ascend-chapter-launches-in-franklin-tn/

🚀 We're proud to introduce ASCEND—the Assistive and Supportive Center for Empowerment, Neurodiversity and Development!Th...
07/27/2026

🚀 We're proud to introduce ASCEND—the Assistive and Supportive Center for Empowerment, Neurodiversity and Development!

This exciting new FCAI initiative will create a growing network of community-based innovation hubs where assistive technologies can be demonstrated, tested, and adopted by the people they're designed to serve.

Working alongside our partners, including Neurodiverse Technologies, ASCEND will help bring research into the real world—connecting innovation with neurodivergent individuals, families, educators, employers, and communities.

👀 Over the next several days, we'll be announcing our first ASCEND Chapters, starting with our inaugural and largest chapter—Tennessee!

đź“– Read the full announcement here: https://www.vanderbilt.edu/autismandinnovation/ascend/

🎉 Congratulations to Lee Williams and the entire College Autism Network (CAN) team on receiving the AHEAD Annual Confere...
07/22/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Lee Williams and the entire College Autism Network (CAN) team on receiving the AHEAD Annual Conference Award for Meritorious Contribution!

This year also marks 10 years of CAN supporting autistic college students by bringing together people committed to improving access, experiences, and outcomes through evidence-informed collaboration.

We're proud to partner with CAN and support the annual College Autism Summit. Congratulations on this incredible recognition—we can't wait to see what the next decade brings!

đź“ŤJoin us at this year's College Autism Summit in Baltimore and learn more here: https://www.collegeautismnetwork.org/events/2026-summit

Now open: PATHS Cohort 2 (Fall 2026)An 8-week program co-designed with autistic individuals to support the preparation o...
07/06/2026

Now open: PATHS Cohort 2 (Fall 2026)

An 8-week program co-designed with autistic individuals to support the preparation of autistic talent for careers in the semiconductor industry.

🌴 On-campus orientation in Gainesville, FL: Sept 18–19, 2026 (costs covered)
đź’µ Earn up to $500 for completing the program & potential paid internships up to $10,000.
🎉 VR learning, mentorship, career prep + networking

Eligibility: 18+, AA/BS in STEM, U.S. citizen/permanent resident.

Apply: https://pathprogramuf.com/

Registration is now live for the Northeast Regional Neurodiversity Coalition Conference, taking place at Northeastern Un...
06/16/2026

Registration is now live for the Northeast Regional Neurodiversity Coalition Conference, taking place at Northeastern University in Boston, MA, on August 5th, 2026. This conference promises to bring participants together to explore the intersection of education, industry, and neurodiversity.

This year's featured keynotes will be with MA state representative Sean Garballey and the Frist Center’s very own Dave Thompson — our A-SCENE program manager! Speaking of our A-SCENE project, multiple partners are involved with this conference, which is very exciting!!

Register now at: https://commerce.cashnet.com/cashneti/static/storefront/SFNDC/catalog

Learn more about A-SCENE here: https://www.vanderbilt.edu/autismandinnovation/a-scene/

We were excited to learn this week that our partner, Floreo, is updating their popular “greetings” lessons for a fresh n...
06/15/2026

We were excited to learn this week that our partner, Floreo, is updating their popular “greetings” lessons for a fresh new look! The greeting is the first and biggest step in creating meaningful social interactions, and Floreo is giving greetings a makeover to create more "natural, engaging, and realistic interactions for learners!”

Floreo specializes in creating VR learning content for autistic individuals through their tried-and-tested platform, truly one of the originals in this field, and we’re so proud to work with them! Keep at it y’all!

If you would like to learn more about Floreo, you can visit their site here: https://floreovr.com/

Save the date: Aug. 5, 2026 in Boston.The Northeast Regional Neurodiversity Coalition Conference (NRNC) brings together ...
06/05/2026

Save the date: Aug. 5, 2026 in Boston.

The Northeast Regional Neurodiversity Coalition Conference (NRNC) brings together higher ed, employers, and practitioners to share practical strategies for more inclusive learning and workplaces.

FCAI is proud to amplify this event because A-SCENE partner institutions are involved and the agenda aligns with the education-to-employment pathway.

Conference info and registration: https://nehenc-conference.sites.northeastern.edu/

Read about A-SCENE: https://www.vanderbilt.edu/autismandinnovation/a-scene/

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2414 Highland Avenue
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