Preschool program for children with autism set to open

A preschool program for children ages 18-36 months with autism or suspected autism is opening in mid-July at the Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center (BWC), with plans to expand to children ages 3-5 in the near future.

Tennessee, Vanderbilt launch novel autism intervention program

‘Missing link’ may spur new brain disorder drugs

Researchers at the Scripps Research Institute in San Diego and Vanderbilt University have discovered a “missing link” in the structure of a transmembrane receptor that could lead to new treatments for autism, schizophrenia, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.

Autism Speaks grant boosts Rett syndrome research

Colleen Niswender, Ph.D., research associate professor of Pharmacology, has received a three-year, $450,000 grant from the autism science and advocacy organization Autism Speaks to support studies investigating a possible new treatment for Rett syndrome.

Employment may improve autism symptoms: study

More independent work environments may lead to reductions in autism symptoms and improve daily living in adults with the disorder, according to a new study released in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.

Vanderbilt study reveals senses of sight and sound separated in children with autism

Children with autism spectrum disorders have trouble integrating simultaneous information from their eyes and their ears–as if they experience the world like a badly-dubbed movie.