Vanderbilt Kennedy Center

06/04/2026

From the latest issue of VKC Notables: Stuttering is widely studied in the general population, but far less is known about how it presents in individuals with Down syndrome. In a 2025 study, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (VKC) researchers combined clinical expertise, electronic health records (EHRs), and genetic analysis to better understand speech differences in individuals with Down syndrome.

Not subscribed to Notables yet? Visit https://vkc.vumc.org/subscribe/ to sign up!

ARTICLE LINK: https://notables.vkcsites.org/2026/05/understanding-stuttering-in-down-syndrome/

Stuttering is widely studied in the general population, but far less is known about how it presents in individuals with Down syndrome. In a 2025 study, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (VKC) researchers combined clinical expertise, electronic health...Read more

06/02/2026

In Germany, a Festschrift—literally “festival writing”—is an academic tribute that honors a scholar through collected works and new research from peers. On April 16–17, Vanderbilt Peabody College hosted a unique event based around this tradition honoring the late Lynn Fuchs, Dunn Family Professor of Psychoeducational Assessment, Emerita. Fuchs, a longtime VKC member, was and continues to be a preeminent figure in special education and the psychological sciences.

LINK: https://news.vanderbilt.edu/2026/05/04/festschrift-honors-lifelong-scholarship-of-lynn-fuchs-renowned-special-education-and-psychological-sciences-scholar/?fbclid=IwY2xjawRwUGxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeNA6_ixoim8BQpsjO7fSdBTycdSa8i8a0E-vqTaybdbaK-JwEjrs6qzK0iJI_aem_RX48cNZFHV0IF-trpK2xkA

By Jennifer Kiilerich In Germany, a Festschrift—literally “festival writing”—is an academic tribute that honors a scholar through collected works and new research from peers. On April 16–17, Vanderbilt Peabody College of education and human development hosted a unique event based around th...

05/28/2026

RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS NEEDED!

Infant/toddler siblings of a child with may be eligible for the Sibwatch research study to monitor development.

Siblings of children on the autism spectrum have a higher likelihood of language delays, developmental delays, and autism. SibWatch is a research study that includes developmental monitoring with the opportunity for intervention.

Infants and toddlers younger than 24 months who have an older sibling diagnosed with autism may be able to participate. Participants will receive ongoing evaluation of their infant/toddler’s development, an opportunity to receive intervention, and a developmental report of their child’s progress. Participation will total 9 months with a follow-up visit at 12 months.

You may be eligible if:
1. Your infant/toddler is younger than 24 months old;
2. Your infant/toddler is a biological sibling of a child with an autism diagnosis; and
3. You speak English with your infant/toddler for most of the day.

Participants will receive ongoing evaluation of your infant/toddler's development, an opportunity to receive intervention, a toy set, a book of strategies for supporting communication, and a developmental report of your child's progress. Participation in this study will total 9 months with a follow-up at 12 months. Participants are compensated for their time.

For more information, scan the QR code or visit https://redcap.link/rgyz2w43.

05/26/2026

Congratulations, little graduates!

https://www.facebook.com/WSMVTV/posts/pfbid0GsDBmCjPnFAMAQzs47kRZijLwvZN4dt1H2SdkgaQnmxNW49zpoqDTVRyCTcF1Hrml

05/21/2026

We’d like to wish congratulations and best wishes to VKC member Keith Meador on his retirement! Meador is the Ann Geddes Stahlman Professor of Medical Ethics and director of the Center for Biomedical Ethics and Society and will retire July 1 after 16 years of leadership that shaped the ethical foundation of care at .

LINK:

Meador has integrated ethics into the daily life of clinical departments at Vanderbilt Health. Under his direction, the center expanded its reach across specialties, establishing programs in surgical ethics, pediatric ethics and maternal-child health.

05/18/2026

The Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities is accepting applications for its 2026-2027 Partners in Policymaking® course! Partners is a FREE leadership and advocacy training program. Over eight months, Partners scholars build the knowledge and skills to ask - and answer - big questions like:

-- What does a good life look like for me, my family and other people with developmental disabilities?
-- What needs to change for that vision to become reality?
-- How can I take action and help create that change?

Partners in Policymaking is designed for Tennessee residents who are:
-- Adults with developmental disabilities, including intellectual disabilities.
-- Parents, adult siblings and other family members of individuals with developmental disabilities.

Learn more and apply here: https://www.tn.gov/cdd/apply

Learn more about Partners in Policymaking through this video: https://youtu.be/Xbb3lcA5dBQ?si=XHQDvj2wcvY2jTdG

1 like. "Partners in Policymaking Celebrates 30 Years in TN (ASL version)"

05/14/2026

From the latest issue of VKC Notables: Members of the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center continue to earn national and international recognition for their innovative scholarship, leadership, and dedication to improving the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families through research, policy, and practice.

Not subscribed to Notables yet? Visit https://vkc.vumc.org/subscribe/ to sign up!

ARTICLE LINK: https://notables.vkcsites.org/2026/04/vanderbilt-kennedy-center-members-honored-with-prestigious-national-and-international-awards/

Members of the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center continue to earn national and international recognition for their innovative scholarship, leadership, and dedication to improving the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families through research, policy, and practice....Read more

05/12/2026

From the latest issue of VKC Notables: VKC member Justine Hoch, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of Psychology and Human Development. Dr. Hoch studies infants’ sense of exploration through the lens of motor development because new motor skills offer infants new opportunities to interact with their environment and new ways to learn. In the interview below, Hoch shares how she became interested in disabilities research, describes her current research projects, and highlights how becoming a member of the VKC enhances the work she does.

Not subscribed to Notables yet? Visit https://vkc.vumc.org/subscribe/ to sign up!

ARTICLE LINK: https://notables.vkcsites.org/2026/04/leading-the-vanguard-justine-hoch/

Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (VKC) member Justine Hoch, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of Psychology and Human Development. Dr. Hoch studies infants’ sense of exploration through the lens of motor development because new motor skills offer infants...Read more

05/07/2026

From the latest issue of VKC Notables: The VKC has launched its new Navigating Adult Services webpages, an online resource designed to help Tennesseans with disabilities, their families, and professionals better understand and access the broad landscape of adult disability services across the state.

Not subscribed to Notables yet? Visit https://vkc.vumc.org/subscribe/ to sign up!

ARTICLE LINK: https://notables.vkcsites.org/2026/04/new-navigating-adult-services-webpages-now-live-on-the-vanderbilt-kennedy-center-website/

The Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (VKC) has launched its new Navigating Adult Services webpages, an online resource designed to help Tennesseans with disabilities, their families, and professionals better understand and access the broad landscape of adult disability...Read more

05/05/2026

From the latest issue of VKC Notables: The American Educational Research Association has named Vanderbilt Kennedy Center associate director Laurie Cutting, Ph.D., a 2026 AERA Fellow, an honor recognizing the nation’s top researchers in education and learning.

Not subscribed to Notables yet? Visit https://vkc.vumc.org/subscribe/ to sign up!

ARTICLE LINK: https://news.vanderbilt.edu/2026/03/09/vanderbilt-peabody-professor-selected-for-prestigious-education-association-fellows-program-qa-with-laurie-cutting/

The American Educational Research Association has named Vanderbilt University’s Laurie Cutting, Patricia and Rodes Hart Professor of Neuroscience in the Department of Special Education, a 2026 AERA Fellow, an honor recognizing the nation’s top researchers in education and learning. She and the c...