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 |
 | The Center has meant a great deal to me and my family over the years. I am a Next Steps alumnus. We have great programs here and wonderful students who love being here. We made a video on You Tube and it is called “I am going to college—Even with my disability.” Because of the programs I have been involved in here I am now working two jobs….I have voted in every election here since I turned 18. Will McMillan - Next Steps at Vanderbilt alumnus 2013 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... |
| A reflection from a researcher |
 | As a sophomore volunteer in a preschool for children with language impairments. I was fascinated and touched by these bright children who had such difficulty communicating. One of the children had autism. Another had intellectual disability. Another seemed fine in every way but could not speak clearly. It seemed obvious that we could not use the same teaching methods with all of these children. Doing developmental disability research combines my love of the scientific method, my desire to be a positive force in the lives of children with communication disabilities, and my love of learning. The VKC Psychophysiology Lab is an example of the VKC’s commitment to supporting multidisciplinary research. Without it, this behavioral scientist could never move into using ERPs to measure speech processing. Without VKC Information Technology production and support of custom-made or adapted data collection and analysis programs, I simply would not be able to accomplish what I do. Paul Yoder, Ph.D. - Special Education 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... |
Submit your reflection here