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 |
 | We have a son with autism who is now 19, and our personal connection with the VKC goes back almost 16 years. We have come to know the VKC as a trusted partner, an invaluable resource, and a source of encouragement for ourselves and others in Tennessee and our region. John and Janet Shouse - Parents and Disability Advocates See More... |
| A reflection from a researcher |
 | Early in my career my lab focused on fundamental neurobiology and identifying genes and proteins that impact chemical signaling. When I came to Vanderbilt and joined the VKC, I was encouraged to consider how my work on serotonin and dopamine transporters might link to neurodevelopmental disorders. I was impressed early on with the breadth of talent assembled by the VKC and the connections I made in this community started me down that path. My lab’s work is very focused, just one step, and our efforts might be wasted if not embraced in a larger context. I started my translational efforts with a VKC Hobbs Discovery Grant, and have been excited to see these efforts blossom. This grant allowed me to develop approaches to scan human transporter genes for mutations, efforts that led to the discovery or alterations in the dopamine transporter in subjects with ADHD, as well as changes in the serotonin transporter gene in subjects with autism. These mutations, which remain under active study in our lab as well as with collaborators, have led to significant funding from the NIH, and have been transferred into animal models so that we may gain insights into brain changes and possibly develop new treatments. Randy Blakely, Ph.D. - Pharmacology and Psychiatry See More... |
| A reflection from a trainee |
| I am the proud parent of four young children, one of whom has Down syndrome. Besides benefiting from their vast array of supports and services, I am currently receiving valuable research experience as a doctoral student in special education and receiving specialized disability-specific training through the VKC. Thomas Boehm - Parent, Doctoral Student in Special Education, and VKC UCEDD Trainee See More... |
| A reflection from a professional |
| As a teacher and now as Director of Special Education in Manchester City Schools, I feel very fortunate to have received training from Vanderbilt Kennedy Center TRIAD myself. It helped me better serve my students with this challenging disorder. Now as our district administrator, I strongly encourage and support training opportunities for the teachers in our school system. This year alone over 50% of our special education teachers and/or assistants were involved in a training activity through TRIAD. The quality of this training is unsurpassed. In addition to the sessions offered at regional locations, our district was fortunate to have consultation and training provided on-site at our schools. I do not believe training of this quality and type is available anywhere else and even if it was, it would not be affordable for our school district. Our teachers are better prepared due to the training they received through TRIAD. However, the most important aspect is that our students receive the greatest benefit. Jenny Thomas - Director of Special Education, Manchester City Schools, Manchester, TN See More... |
Submit your reflection here