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 researcher |
 | I spent most of my graduate training learning about the development of very young children who had experienced serious life stressors. This focus on early social and emotional development was matched with opportunities to work with young children with autism during my fellowship. Since then, I have worked with young families concerned that their child may have autism. It is a challenging and powerful experience to try to provide families with answers to questions regarding autism and other developmental concerns. This represents an opportunity to understand how we can join with families to create systems of care of meaning and value. My continued attraction to the VKC is linked to center’s ability to help form partnerships among researchers, clinicians, educators, and families in a manner that truly impacts communities. The ability to collaborate and work alongside leading scientific experts in behavior, education, genetics, and neuroscience who share a focus on pushing science of impact and meaning is so very fulfilling. Increasingly I have been able to intersect with the powerful training programs (i.e., LEND, UCEDD, TRIAD) supported through our Center that provide exceptional training to our next generation of scientific and clinical leaders. In my experience, few places are capable of bringing together current and future leaders in the field of developmental disabilities in such powerful ways. Zachary Warren, Ph.D. - Pediatrics, Psychiatry, and Special Education 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 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... |
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