@kulifespan.bsky.social
Research at the University of Kansas to support human health and development in pursuit of solutions that empower people's lives.
A toddler holds the fingers of his mother's hand
Affiliated researcher Linda Heitzman-Powell developed a program called OASIS that helps families apply evidenced-based strategies to help #autistic children succeed.
Read how it all began in article from @kansasreflector.com at: https://loom.ly/3zAjE1o
A woman reads a book to a classroom of kids
Celebrating 60+ years of impact! The latest issue of Education and Treatment of Children spotlights the groundbreaking work of @junipergardensku.bsky.social. Read the full issue: https://loom.ly/x4PbbZw
#ChildDevelopment #KansasCity #KUresearch
A lone figure sits on the edge of an empty, oversized plate at a place sitting
The new Center for the Advancement of Research on Eating Behaviors is featured in the latest edition of the Crimson & Blue. Learn how we're improving what we know about eating disorders to help more people get the treatment they need. 🔗 https://loom.ly/tPAPkvk
#EDtreatment #MentalHealth
Experts in #autism research at KU Life Span Institute are among those concerned by the latest attempts to incorrectly link this complex developmental disorder to vaccinations.
Read the full story in the @kansasreflector.com: https://loom.ly/p2exoh8
“Stigma and shame can have such a profound negative impact on someone and also be a barrier for that person trying to engage in treatment to improve their life." Michael Amlung, Cofrin Logan Center for Addiction Research and Training
Nearly 17% of Americans meet the definition of having a substance use disorder, but less than 10% are in treatment. Researchers at the Cofrin Logan Center are working to understand substance use and how negative social bias can it harder to seek treatment. #SubstanceUse #Addiction #Treatment
02.12.2025 07:06 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0Your chance of getting a #disability increases as you age. While only 18% of the population aged 18-44 have a disability, by age 65, nearly half will have a disability. Our research informs disability policy to increase #accessibility and supports for people with disabilities of all ages.
01.12.2025 07:04 — 👍 3 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Pregnant? Eat more fish, not less. That's according to #research involving KU and others showing the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids to prevent preterm birth and improve brain development. https://loom.ly/WND1YBM
#PrenatalNutrition #InTheNews
When her daughter was diagnosed with #autism, Veronica Fernandez felt lost — until she found OASIS at KU. “They really give you hope,” Veronica said. Through virtual coaching and parent training, she found tools to support her child's needs and development. https://loom.ly/dhjZgIs
#ASD #ABA
Disabled students often face additional barriers after high school — but the right tools and support can make a difference. With renewed federal funding, @kucdisabilities.bsky.social will continue strategies to improve outcomes. 🔗 https://loom.ly/Pe5bLhI
18.11.2025 07:04 — 👍 1 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
Employee of the Month Bryan Cisler, wearing a blue button up shirt, stands with his wife, a blonde woman wearing a green and white floral dress
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.
Belonging @ KU: Exploring Disability & Identities. Featuring Stephanie Ruppen, Sean Swindler, and Jean Hall
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
A man reads a book to his daughter while they smile together and sit in a bedroom in their home.
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
10.11.2025 09:05 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
🎧 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
07.11.2025 09:05 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
"So often, people are told, ‘Your child is not going to college,’ so they don’t make a plan for college. ... (Families of students with disabilities should know) higher education is a realistic option." Lauren Bruno, assistant research professor at KU Center on Disabilities
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
05.11.2025 07:05 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0Attention #researchers! @drlauraschmidt.bsky.social will discuss ultra-processed foods and their connection to tobacco companies our final fall lecture series. https://loom.ly/X8mjnTE
⏰ 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 #ABA #ASD
03.11.2025 07:04 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Young adults volunteer working outside with gloves and shovels
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/
30.10.2025 07:04 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
An image of a bucket of popcorn with text that reads: The Arc of Douglas County's Film Festival & Silent Auction, 3-5 p.m. Nov. 1 at the Lied Center in Lawrence.
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
29.10.2025 07:06 — 👍 1 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
An illustration of a man in distress with text that reads: 40% of autistic people have an anxiety disorder
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
#ADHD #ASD #OCD #anxiety
“The decisions you make should depend on what’s important to you.” Ben Edwards, Assistant Researcher at the Kansas Center for Disabilities
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/
A woman sitting in a motorized wheelchair works at a computer in her home
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/
A person looks over receipts while standing in the food aisle of a store
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.
A woman wearing a pink dress and sitting in a wheelchair is next to a man with glasses and a black shirt. Text reads: You're invited! KUCD Fall Festival. 4-6 p.m. Oct. 23
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
A woman wearing a blue uniform shirt demonstrates how a tablet device works to a woman wearing a red raincoat.
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
#DisabilityAwareness #NDEAM
"A lot of people on the spectrum talk about their sensory sensitivities and how limiting that can be in them living the lives that they want to live. That definitely inspired me to want to look at it more." Carissa Cascio, Senior scientist at the Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training
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
