Congratulations to Bryan Cisler at @junipergardensku.bsky.social who was named employee of the month for October 2025 for his dedication to developing accessible and innovative technology that improves outcomes for young children.

Join the Office of Civil Rights & Title IX on Nov. 19 for the next Belonging @ KU event! Panelists from Life Span Institute will explore disability identity and what accessibility and belonging look like on our campuses. Learn more: https://loom.ly/P4wohXI

Need a good reason to share a book? Narrative language skills, or the ability to understand, tell and retell stories, are a critical part of communication and #literacy. They can also help develop social skills and empathy. #Reading #ChildDevelopment

🎧 Did you know? The University of Kansas is home to the Audio-Reader Network, a service that helps individuals who are #blind, visually impaired, or print-disabled access news, information—and now, the arts! Learn more: https://loom.ly/KFms4Uk

A federal grant to @kucdisabilities.bsky.social will improve access to university education for students with intellectual disabilities.Learn more: https://loom.ly/3lpS24U #ThinkCollege #IDD #Kansas

Attention #KUresearchers, want to better communicate your #research with the public? Make plans to attend the #ScienceCommunication workshop at 11:30 a.m. Nov. 14. Registration/details: https://loom.ly/bjTnjp8

Attention #researchers! @drlauraschmidt.bsky.social will discuss ultra-processed foods and their connection to tobacco companies our final fall lecture series. https://loom.ly/X8mjnTE#researchers ⏰ 11:30 a.m. Nov. 7 📍In person and live-stream options available

When a child is diagnosed with #autism, parents can struggle with what to do next, especially if intervention options are limited. The OASIS training program can help parents and others gain the tools to support their #autistic child's development. Learn more: https://loom.ly/dhjZgIs#autism#autistic#ABA #ASD

The Kansas Health Communities Toolkit, developed by the Center for Community Health and Development, offers guidance for taking action to build communities with equal opportunities for healthy living and well-being. Learn more: https://ksactiontoolkit.ctb.ku.edu/

Researchers at the KU Life Span Institute have been working to understand how learning develops and matures across infancy. Learn how you and your baby can be a part of advancing science: https://ilearn.ku.edu/

Looking for a way to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities? The Arc of #DouglasCounty is hosting its annual Disability Film Festival fundraiser and silent auction at 3 p.m. Nov. 1 at the University of Kansas. Learn more: https://loom.ly/dWSSfh0

People with #autism are more likely to have other co-occurring conditions. More than half have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and nearly 40% have an anxiety-related disorder. Learn more: https://loom.ly/bKJOUa4#autism #ADHD #ASD #OCD #anxiety

Supported decision-making allows people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to remain at the center of decision-making processes in their lives. Caregivers, family members, and support teams can learn how to create opportunities for decision making at: https://loom.ly/lSqUBms

Did you know understanding spoken language and stories is as important to #literacy as being able to decode written words? Juniper Gardens Children's Project director Trina Spencer developed Story Champs educational tool with this in mind. #education #learning Learn more https://loom.ly/gok6qs0

Being self-determined means acting or causing things to happen as you set and work toward goals in your life. Self-determined people make, or cause, things to happen in their lives. #Disability #IDD #DisabilityRights Learn more: https://selfdetermination.ku.edu/

Assistive technology can empower people in #Kansas with disabilities to access employment opportunities. Specialists with ATK can help you find tools to reduce barriers. #NDEAM Visit ATK to learn more: https://atk.ku.edu/

Families in #rural areas often face a double burden: #FoodInsecurity and obesity, a study involving the Life Span Institute finds. When access to affordable, nutritious food is limited, families may rely on low-cost, calorie-dense, hyper-palatable foods with impacts on physical and mental health.

The public is invited to this year's annual Fall Festival with @kucdisabilities.bsky.social. Get to know researchers and staff and learn more about their work. Enjoy refreshments, fun activities, and raffle prizes. Make your reservation at https://loom.ly/_7hO2IQ

Need a good reason to consider tools for better #accessibility? We'll give you six. Find out how Assistive Technology for Kansans can help you manage your home, work, and more. 🔗 https://loom.ly/HHnx_ww#accessibility #DisabilityAwareness #NDEAM

While most research on #autistic people focuses on attention or social cognition, senior scientist Carissa Cascio is breaking ground on understanding sensory processing and #autism. 🧪 https://loom.ly/rQ_okog

People with disabilities bring vital perspectives to research. A new project at @kucdisabilities.bsky.social is helping them build careers as co-researchers, making science stronger, fairer, and more inclusive. #NDEAM Learn more: https://loom.ly/q2iiwRE

Alcohol can make people misread a partner’s interest or intentions, making it more likely they will commit sexual assault. Today at 11:30 a.m. CST, Elizabeth Neilson, University of Mo-KC, will discuss her work in this area at the Cofrin Logan Center's Seminar Series. Info: https://loom.ly/Eifc83E

Some traits of #autism may be shaped by early sensory differences, according to #KUresearch. Scientist Carissa Cascio explains how these differences can trigger a cascade that shapes how children explore, learn, and connect. #SPD #SensoryProccessing 🧪 https://loom.ly/rQ_okog

As many as 1 out 4 adults in the U.S. have some type of disability, research out of the the KU Life Span Institute has found. This is 40% higher than previous estimates. More accurate understanding of people disabilities helps improve services and support.

Alcohol can make people misread a partner’s interest or intentions, making it more likely they will commit sexual assault. Elizabeth Neilson, @umkc.bsky.social, will discuss this topic at KU on Friday. Learn more: https://loom.ly/PaV2kDg

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month! Our researchers at @kucdisabilities.bsky.social and @ihdps.bsky.social are working with #Kansas to support equitable treatment for disabled employees. #NDEAM #KUresearch

Partnering with people with lived experiences is the focus of a project out of @kucdisabilities.bsky.social that aims to improve outcomes by and develop career pathways in research for people with #IDD. #KUresearch #Disabilities 🧪 https://loom.ly/q2iiwRE

Attention #researchers: UMKC researcher Elizabeth Neilson will discuss at the Fall Seminar Series the latest science on how alcohol contributes to sexual assault. 🔗 https://loom.ly/brCTHjw#researchers 📅 Friday, Oct. 10 | 11:30 a.m. 📍 In person or livestream (see link for details)

KU researchers are studying the link between Alzheimer's and #dementia in individuals with #DownSyndrome to learn what drugs and other interventions, such as diet and exercise, can stave off the onset of disease. #KUresearch 🧪 Read more: https://loom.ly/aJK49zk

The neurological roots of #ASD are complex, said Carissa Cascio, neuroscientist at LSI. She spoke with @statesnewsroom.com about what science has uncovered about #autism—and what researchers are still working to discover. 🧪 Read the story: https://loom.ly/I6kmdsM

Narrative language skills are an essential part of literacy and communication, but as much as 90% of #AAC interventions focus on making requests. #KUresearch tested a storytelling-based AAC approach that improved communication and #literacy skills for nonspeaking students. 🔗 https://loom.ly/BHSWcdM

The KU Life Span Institute brings researchers from across disciplines together to help solve problems that directly affect the health and well-being of people in #Kansas, across the nation, and world. Our work advances scientific discoveries to fuel a world where everyone thrives. #KUresearch

Have you ever wanted to write to your elected official but weren't sure what to say? Out of @CCHD, the @CommunityToolBox has a detailed guide with tips to maximize reading and positive response. Find tools to help you share your voice: https://loom.ly/xPMeEnM

For 35 years, the Dole Human Development Center at the KU has been home to the Life Span Institute. We are a team of more than 350 scientists, staff and students working on solutions to improve the health and development of people in #Kansas and beyond. #KUresearch

Our researchers are part of helping #Kansas youth achieve literacy goals to reach their potential, leading to better outcomes in health and quality of life, and building a better future for #Kansans. #NLM #Literacy #Education

Attention: Kansans! If need help navigating an #autism diagnosis, therapy services, insurance, the team at Kansas Family Services Center is here for you. Connect to tools and information to help at https://kfsc.ku.edu#autism#ASD #AutismFamily #Kansas

📚 Did you know? Autistic children tend to struggle with reading comprehension over word reading. Still, most schools are set up to identify students struggling with word reading abilities. Learn more: 🔗 https://loom.ly/8Jq_fm8 #LiteracyMonth #NLM

Loved seeing all the amazing tech at the AT Fair in #Topeka this week—everything from one-handed game controllers to robotic spoons, eye-tracking tools, and smart glasses! 👓✨ Couldn’t attend? Contact your local ATK office to explore solutions for work, play & daily life. https://atk.ku.edu/

Literacy is a foundational skill impacting everything from academic success in school to income levels into adulthood. Our research supports literacy with evidence-based reading strategies for the future of Kansans. #LiteracyMonth #LiteracyMatters

Congratulations to Steve Fawcett! 🎉 The Dept. of Applied Behavioral Science will honor him with the Distinguished Alumni Award on Sept. 19. Within the Life Span Institute, he has has worked to supports health and development in communities across Kansas and around the globe.

Why are rates of autism increasing? Here's a look at three factors that contribute to increased diagnosis of autism.

Curious about what technology can do to improve your independence? Stop any time between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tuesday at the AT Fair at the Topeka Library. Specialists will be there to answer questions with tools to try out for yourself. 🔗 https://loom.ly/EdIZ3Ik #Disability #Accessibility

Attention Researchers! Join the Cofrin Logan Center's Fall Seminar Series as it hosts Joshua Grubbs, PhD, for his talk: “A Risky Bet? A Longitudinal Consideration of Sports Gambling and Alcohol Use” at Sept. 12 at 11:30 AM CT https://loom.ly/X8mjnTE #KUResearch #SportsGambling #Alcohol #Research

People with housing advocacy organizations urged the Douglas County Commission to schedule a vote and adopt tenant right to counsel next month. lawrenceks.news/4m1Wn9D

Ever wonder how so many programs supporting people with #IDD got their start? 🤔 The answer goes back to the DD Act of 2000. The original act was signed by #JFK and has been reauthorized by 5 presidents since. Link to more: bit.ly/sots_dd

Attention #researchers! Get out of your "information silo" and join the Collaborative Research Luncheon, hosted by the KU Office of Research, at noon Sept. 9. Space is limited! So register soon for this — or one of others scheduled this year. 🔗 Learn more: https://loom.ly/aas5WOg#researchers #KUresearch

A $1 million supportive technology grant is helping @kucdisabilities.bsky.social support #Kansans with #disabilities with technology solutions for improved independence and better living. Learn more: https://loom.ly/2OjxLTAA

The AT Fair can help connect to tools for mobility, memory aids, communication, employment, recreation, smart home, security, and more. #DisabilityAccessibility Save the date! 📅 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 9 (come and go) 📍 Topeka Library, 1515 SW 10th Ave. in #Topeka #Kansas 🔗 https://loom.ly/EdIZ3Ik

Help us welcome our new researchers to the Life Span Institute! Our five new faculty members this fall include Samantha Goldman, Melissa Peterson, Jessica Powers, Lindsay Rentschler, and Ashley Taconet. Glad to have you with us! #KUresearch #RockChalk

At the Life Span Institute, our mission centers on improving people's lives through research. From advancing human health and development to empowering communities, we focus on work that matters. #Research #Education #Disability #ChildDevelopment