Find what’s happening in your area by visiting our Community Calendar and begin your journey with events that enhance your life experiences. Also, follow us on social media to stay up to date with events in the disability community.
AutismTN Connect In-Person Social Networking is a safe and welcoming space for individuals on the autism spectrum to come together in-person and share their experiences, challenges, and triumphs. In this group, we aim to create a supportive and understanding community where members can feel free to be themselves and express themselves openly and honestly. We believe everyone has something valuable to contribute, and we welcome diverse perspectives and experiences.
Connect is best suited for autistic adults with a Level 1 autism diagnosis, (formally referred to as Asperger’s syndrome) or with perceived lower support needs. (Support needs vary moment to moment.) Self diagnosed autistic adults are encouraged to join. The group meets monthly, and we offer a variety of activities and discussions to help members connect with others, learn from one another, and find support and encouragement.
This group meets in-person on the second Thursday of each month 6:30 P.M. – 8:30 P.M. CST in Nashville, TN. Address will be included in your confirmation and reminder emails.
If you have questions about Connect In-Person, please contact admin@autismtn.org.
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Navigating the virtual seas of online technologies can sometimes be challenging, especially for individuals with disabilities. However, the rise of new technology has opened up new opportunities for accessible learning and communication, ensuring that everyone can dive into the digital realm with confidence.
Come to the training to:
- Meet new people
- Learn new things to do for fun, work, and school
- Stay in touch with friends and family
- Share information about things that are important to you
- Learn How to Stay Safe Online
10/10/2023 – Staying Safe on the Internet
10/17/2023 – Email, Facebook and Texting
10/24/2023 – Having Fun and Recreation on the Internet
10/31/2023 – How to Look for a Job or Volunteering online
11/07/2023 – Building Friendships and Relationships
Click here for more information.
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Join Nashville Children’s Theatre Saturday, November 18 for its Neuro-Inclusive Performance at 2pm of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory! Use the discount code “CANDY2023”. When you checkout, click the option “Know a Promotion Code?” to enter the discount code. Oce you enter it, you should see the discounted tickets option appear. You can also give the discount code over the phone/at the window to a box office employee.
For more information and to get tickets click here.
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The Tennessee Association for Assistive Technology (TAAT) is the professional association of assistive technology providers in Tennessee. TAAT was specifically designed to provide a range of professional development and support services to school system staff, students, and their families. TAAT holds an annual conference to provide the latest innovations and comprehensive information from the experts in the field. CEUs are available for attendees.
Click this link for more information.
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Vanderbilt Kennedy Center
2023 Science Day
Thursday, November 30, 2023
11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Vanderbilt University Student Life Center
Join Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for lunch and an afternoon of engaging conversation with some of Vanderbilt’s brightest up-and-coming researchers in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Highlights of 2023 VKC Science Day:
SCIENCE DAY KEYNOTE LECTURE: Updates on Behavioral Phenotyping of Rare Genetic Conditions Associated with Neurodevelopmental Disorders (GCAND)
Presented by Audrey Thurm, Ph.D., Director, Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Phenotyping Service, Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health.
This lecture will discuss the concept of “developmental phenotyping,” behavioral phenotyping of genetic conditions associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. A brief history of behavioral phenotyping will be presented, with grounding in genetic conditions associated with intellectual disability. Current purposes and examples of phenotyping efforts will be presented, not just for understanding the natural history of the many genetic conditions associated with neurodevelopmental disorders, but also for providing external control data for clinical trials and helping with determining clinical outcome assessments for treatment studies.
POSTER SESSIONS:
Two back-to-back poster sessions will be presented* by undergraduate students, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, research faculty, and research staff conducting research in labs or research programs of VKC members.
DATA BLITZ:
Six presenters selected for their stellar abstract submittals will distill their poster’s research into lightning-quick 5- to 7-minute presentations during this annual Science Day activity, always a favorite of attendees past and present.
DOOR PRIZES, WINE RECEPTION, WARREN LAMBERT MEMORIAL POSTER COMPETITION AWARDS:
Stay to the end for some wine and dessert, and see who is awarded a Warren Lambert Memorial Poster Competition Award for exceptional research presentation. You just might take home a prize yourself!
*All poster presenters in good standing (whether competing or non-competing) become eligible to request VKC Professional Development Awards ($250 maximum) to present during a scientific or professional conference in the year following Science Day. Learn more here.
DEADLINE TO REGISTER FOR SCIENCE DAY:
Friday, November 17
Advance registration is greatly appreciated to coordinate catering.
(Walk-on registration will be available on Nov. 30.)