Self-Advocates and Civil Stakeholders

Our self-advocates and other civic stakeholders ensure that everything the Center undertakes is done with the engagement—the centering—of neurodiverse people, voices, lived experiences, and perspectives.

People

Programs

Impacts

Resources

Learn about the self-advocates and civil stakeholders who partner with us and who are present within our staff and leadership, to ensure the centering of neurodivergent individuals.

Learn about our programs that are led, managed, and run by self-advocates at the center.

Read about the impact that these programs and self-advocates have on the work of the center.

See all our resources for community partners and individuals interested in advocacy work.

Self-Advocate and Civil Stakeholder News

RECORDING NOW AVAILABLE: FCAI August Salon Series with Holden Thorp

September 4, 2025

FCAI is excited to announce that our August Salon Series, featuring FCAI Distinguished Fellow and Editor-in-Chief of the Science Family of Journals, Holden Thorp, is now available online on our YouTube channel or embedded in this post. You can find out more about our Fellows and Affiliates and their Salon Series Talks here.

Neurodiverse Technologies Webinar with SANDI Ambassador Jimmy Humphreys NOW AVAILABLE

September 3, 2025

“From Barriers to Freedom: Jimmy’s Neurodivergent Journey to a Driver’s License.” In this powerful session, Jimmy explains why the SANDI Driving Simulator is essential for learners who struggle with traditional driver’s education. He highlights how SANDI provides the structure, practice, and confidence needed to prepare for life behind the wheel. If you missed it, you…

TONIGHT: Webinar Featuring Neurodiverse Technologies’ Ambassador Jimmy Humphrey

August 26, 2025

🚗 From Barriers to Freedom: A Neurodivergent Journey to a Driver’s License 🚗 ⭐⭐ 6 pm CT TONIGHT! ⭐⭐ Neurodiverse Technologies welcomes its newest ambassador, Jummy Humphrey, to tell the story of his own driving journey in this webinar! Join us as Jimmy shares his remarkable journey to independence. As an autistic individual, Jimmy faced…

FCAI Fellow Amber Crabtree Featured on CBS This Morning Alongside FCAI

August 1, 2025

We would love to extend our congratulations to Amber Crabtree, PhD Candidate and Neurodiversity Inspired Science and Engineering Fellow at the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation, candidly discussing her experience of autism, sensory issues, her research, and the importance of it on CBS’s This Morning. This piece also features the Frist Center Director, Keivan…

FCAI Partner TACT in Dedicated Episode of Mike Rowe’s New Show “People You Should Know”

May 27, 2025

We are so excited to share that TACT, one of our partner organizations, is featured in a dedicated episode of Mike Rowe’s new show, “People You Should Know.” Watching this episode will give you a tour around TACT’s new 19,000 sqft facility, introduce you to some of the many awesome students that TACT train, and…

NISE Fellow Hari Srinivasan Co-Authors Foreword with Temple Grandin in Autism for Dummies

May 25, 2025

We want to extend our deepest congratulations to Hari Srinivasan, one of our Neurodiversity Inspired Science and Engineering (NISE) fellows. Hari co-authored the foreword for the new book Autism for Dummies with Temple Grandin. Hari’s section of the foreword is provided below, along with a link for those interested in buying the book. Congratulations again,…

Vanderbilt Magazine Article Tells Story of FCAI and Autism Research

May 24, 2025

We are thrilled to announce the release of an exciting article in Vanderbilt Magazine celebrating the groundbreaking work of the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation! By highlighting our mission to empower neurodivergent and autistic individuals and spotlighting the dedication and passion of our director and staff, this article is a testament to the incredible…

Temple Grandin to Speak at Vanderbilt University – Register Now!

May 22, 2025

We are so excited to announce that the one and only Temple Grandin will be visiting Nashville on May 30th and speaking to an audience on Vanderbilt University Campus! Don’t miss your chance to come and hear from Temple herself in this event titled “Autism: The Way I See It” on May 30th, where Temple…

Autism Tennessee Announce Their 2025 Volunteer Open House

May 10, 2025

On Monday, May 24th, 2025, our partners, Autism Tennessee, will be hosting their 2025 volunteer Open House, where visitors will be able to connect with their programs, meet current volunteers and facilitators, and AutismTN staff to learn more about how to make them part of your volunteer journey in 2025! Event Details 🗓️ Date: May…

Autism Tennessee Present Online Workshop: Mastering Budgeting and Financial Planning Essentials

May 6, 2025

On Monday, May 19th, 2025, our partners, Autism Tennessee, will be hosting a training from their ACE’ing the Spectrum series, presented by Cornerstone: Financial Strategies Group. This training is “Mastering Budgeting and Financial Planning Essentials,” held online only via Zoom. It will cover basic concepts for financial empowerment and is intended for anyone starting to…