I can't wait to visit the Vanderbilt University Frist Center for Autism and Innovation and the Kennedy Center to witness the great work that Vanderbilt does in autism research and their support structure for neurodiverse students
REGISTER HERE:
📢 Special Event Announcement!
The Frist Center for Autism and Innovation and Vanderbilt Kennedy Center invite you to join us for a powerful Salon
Series presentation:
"Pathologically Genuine: Lived Experiences of a Late-Diagnosed Autistic Professor, Former Provost, Dean, & VP Research"
Speaker: Dr. Jim Coleman, Professor of Biology, UNC-Greensboro
🗓️ Monday, March 30th
🕛 Noon - 1pm CT
💻 Hybrid Event (VKC One Magnolia Circle 241 and Zoom)
Dr. Coleman's story is remarkable: diagnosed with autism at 59 after 25 years in senior academic leadership, he describes the diagnosis as transformative—"as if he thought of himself as a messed-up horse for sixty years, only to discover he was a zebra."
Now in the teaching and advocacy phase of his career, Dr. Coleman has taught over 1,000 students since 2021, including more than 100 neurodivergent students. He volunteers with his therapy dog Brea at schools for autistic children and students with learning disabilities, serves on the board of Lionheart Academy, and is writing "Pathologically Genuine"—a memoir about his journey.
This presentation will cover:
🔹 Observations comparing neurodivergent student support at traditional universities vs. specialized autism schools
🔹 Vignettes from working with graduate, undergraduate, and K-12 neurodivergent students
🔹 Stories and themes from his book project, including being pathologically genuine, the concept of "umwelt," stimming, loneliness, and the disconnect between autism research and lived experience
This won't be your typical academic research presentation—expect authenticity, humor, and insights that challenge conventional thinking about autism and neurodiversity in education.
Register here: vanderbilt.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_A0sT3IO4TDSQhP1DmXgOTQ#/registration
#Autism #Neurodiversity #HigherEducation #FristCenter #VanderbiltKennedyCenter #AutismAwareness #ActuallyAutistic #InclusiveEducation
REGISTER HERE:
📢 Special Event Announcement!
The Frist Center for Autism and Innovation and Vanderbilt Kennedy Center invite you to join us for a powerful Salon
Series presentation:
"Pathologically Genuine: Lived Experiences of a Late-Diagnosed Autistic Professor, Former Provost, Dean, & VP Research"
Speaker: Dr. Jim Coleman, Professor of Biology, UNC-Greensboro
🗓️ Monday, March 30th
🕛 Noon - 1pm CT
💻 Hybrid Event (VKC One Magnolia Circle 241 and Zoom)
Dr. Coleman's story is remarkable: diagnosed with autism at 59 after 25 years in senior academic leadership, he describes the diagnosis as transformative—"as if he thought of himself as a messed-up horse for sixty years, only to discover he was a zebra."
Now in the teaching and advocacy phase of his career, Dr. Coleman has taught over 1,000 students since 2021, including more than 100 neurodivergent students. He volunteers with his therapy dog Brea at schools for autistic children and students with learning disabilities, serves on the board of Lionheart Academy, and is writing "Pathologically Genuine"—a memoir about his journey.
This presentation will cover:
🔹 Observations comparing neurodivergent student support at traditional universities vs. specialized autism schools
🔹 Vignettes from working with graduate, undergraduate, and K-12 neurodivergent students
🔹 Stories and themes from his book project, including being pathologically genuine, the concept of "umwelt," stimming, loneliness, and the disconnect between autism research and lived experience
This won't be your typical academic research presentation—expect authenticity, humor, and insights that challenge conventional thinking about autism and neurodiversity in education.
Register here: vanderbilt.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_A0sT3IO4TDSQhP1DmXgOTQ#/registration
#Autism #Neurodiversity #HigherEducation #FristCenter #VanderbiltKennedyCenter #AutismAwareness #ActuallyAutistic #InclusiveEducation