Reflections
As part of the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center's 50th anniversary celebration, families, researchers, staff, trainees, and others shared their reflections. View a sample below, and select "more" to view additional comments.
| A reflection from a family |
 | My involvement with the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center has been through Tennessee Adult Brothers and Sisters (TABS), a support group for adults who have siblings with special needs. We are the first generation to grow up with our siblings kept at home, instead of being institutionalized. That brings many wonderful blessings but also brings challenges. TABS, with the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, has helped us navigate this new course. Tina Prochaska - Sibling See More... |
| A reflection from a professional |
| I was introduced to the Kennedy Center in 1975 when I was an undergraduate at Peabody College, now Vanderbilt University. It changed my life, and set me on my career path. I left as a graduate, and I came back for graduate studies. And I work in disability and I still count on the Kennedy Center every day. Carol Westlake - Tennessee Disability Public Policy Advocate See More... |
| A reflection from a trainee |
 | As a Postdoctoral Fellow, I was a trainee with LEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities]. This experience was invaluable to my current work as a clinical psychologist who specializes in diagnosing very young children with autism. My LEND training enhanced my abilities to understand families’ perspectives, to collaborate across disciplines, and to maintain cultural competence, all of which helps me provide better care to children and parents at a very difficult moment in their lives. Amy Weitlauf - VKC Member and Former LEND Trainee See More... |
| A reflection from a researcher |
 | My interests in language and communication by young children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) began when I was a postdoctoral fellow at University of Kansas conducting a study of children with IDD who lived in a residential treatment center. At the same time, I was taking advanced courses in linguistics and child language. The combination of observing how these children and youth communicated (or did not communicate) and learning about theories of language acquisition prompted me to start a series of studies on early language intervention in natural environments. I am still interested in effective early interventions that can be delivered in natural environments to promote the best possible outcomes for children with disabilities and their families. I came to Vanderbilt in large part because of the research support and opportunities that the VKC offered. I saw membership in a center as a wonderful way to be involved in IDD research nationally, to have access to colleagues with similar interests, and to conduct my research in a context where it would be valued and supported. Over the years, the VKC has provided many practical supports for my projects. The VKC offers opportunities to collaborate with researchers on campus who have similar interests and to meet with outstanding researchers from all over the country who visit the VKC. The VKC core services assist me in recruiting children and families and staying in communication with the community. Ann Kaiser, Ph.D. - Special Education and Psychology See More... |
Submit your reflection here