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 |
 | For 50 years, the Center has searched for ways to improve the lives of people with disabilities and their families. One of those ways is sponsoring the Tennessee Adult Brothers and Sisters (TABS) sibling network….The VKC has many projects and programs that assist and empower our siblings, families, and us to provide the best life possible. John Donovan - Brother 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 professional |
| [The VKC] is an absolutely amazing place to work, but more importantly, people here truly help to change lives for the better. I’ve worked here in some capacity since I graduated from the Master’s of Special Education program in 2007, and I cannot think of a better place to refer families who have a loved one with a disability. In my own work, we are helping high school students with autism and their families prepare for the transition from high school, and we are also helping faith communities as they support people with disabilities to find and hold employment. Jenny Gustafson - Special Education Alumna and VKC Disability Professional See More... |
| A reflection from a researcher |
 | I became attracted to developmental disabilities research after working in the classroom. I wanted to understand what was happening in the brain when children were experiencing learning difficulties. Reading, especially understanding what one has read, is such an important life skill. In my lab, we’re trying to unravel the mysteries of how people comprehend well and what happens when they don’t. We’re also focused on which elements are the most important, such as vocabulary, understanding grammar, structures of text, type of text, and how all those things relate to different systems in the brain. I wanted to join the Kennedy Center because my overall research program is highly relevant to the Center’s mission of improving the quality of life of children and adolescents with disorders of learning. The opportunities for collaboration with colleagues conducting similar research, as well as having access to the resources at the Kennedy Center, made me seek membership. Laurie Cutting, Ph.D. - Special Education, Psychology, Radiology, and Pediatrics See More... |
Submit your reflection here