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 |
| I will never forget the moment I learned my son had autism—the fear, the confusion, the helplessness—how could I ever learn all I would need to know to raise this precious little person who experiences the world in ways I can’t imagine? The Families First program at the VKC was there from the beginning—educating, supporting, and encouraging us. And they were there three years later when I lived that moment a second time, the day I learned my daughter had autism—ready to help in every way they could. Elizabeth Stivers - Parent See More... |
| A reflection from a trainee |
| As a UCEDD trainee, the VKC has been very important to me. I have learned so much from contributing to many of its self-advocacy projects for people with disabilities, and I am proud to be a part of all they do in the Nashville community. As a graduate student in Peabody College, I feel that working with the VKC UCEDD has helped me to mature in ways that will make me a successful special education teacher. Carrie Glover - Graduate 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... |
| A reflection from a researcher |
 | The precise molecular basis for most developmental disorders of the brain is not well understood, despite robust efforts from many investigators in recent years that have identified key molecular players. We hope that our studies will illuminate the basic mechanisms underlying these processes, suggesting novel therapeutic approaches to prevent, or at least to ameliorate, symptoms of developmental disabilities. The complexity of developmental disorders demands multidisciplinary approaches. The VKC is among the leading examples in the nation of approaches to fostering interactions among the many schools and departments that comprise the Vanderbilt neuroscience community. Roger Colbran, Ph.D. - Molecular Physiology and Biophysics See More... |
Submit your reflection here