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Mon, 11/24/2025
KU advances tools and supports to improve postschool outcomes for students with disabilities with $1.8M federal grant
Continued funding for this work will "ensure that all of our shareholders, whether that be state-level personnel, local-level personnel, and/or students and youth with disabilities and their families, can really digest the work,” according to the primary investigator, Valerie Mazzotti, who is an affiliated researcher at the KU Center on Disabilities and KU distinguished professor of special education.
Mon, 11/17/2025
Parents of autistic children find training, support through online OASIS program
OASIS at the University of Kansas helps caregivers of autistic children learn evidence-based strategies founded on behavioral science, serving as a critical bridge between diagnosis and intervention.
Mon, 11/03/2025
KU expanding program to bring students with disabilities to college, including to Wichita, Atchison
Researchers at KU have secured a grant to expand the Transition to Postsecondary Education program. The program helps bring students with disabilities to higher education, work toward career goals and meet in-demand jobs in their communities. The work will expand outreach to educators and families across Kansas and establish similar programs at WSU Tech and Benedictine College.
Mon, 10/13/2025
6 ways technology tools can help Kansans live more independently
Assistive Technology for Kansans helps people with disabilities across Kansas access tools for safer, independent living. Whether you’ve wanted to try out tools to support independence but don't know how or you’re uncertain how devices can support your goals, ATK can help.
Tue, 10/07/2025
How understanding sensory differences can help parents support autistic children
Sensory inputs can create differences in children’s behavior compared to their neurotypical peers, which gradually shape the way they explore, learn, and connect with others over time, senior scientist Carissa Cascio explains.
Mon, 09/29/2025
Scientist to present latest research on alcohol and sexual assault
Researchers and professionals in substance use and sexual violence are welcome to attend virtually in person at the University of Kansas on Oct. 10 to hear Elizabeth Neilson, assistant professor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
Wed, 09/24/2025
Using AAC with storytelling boosts literacy skills in proof-of-concept study
Children who depend on augmentative alternative communication (AAC) to communicate are usually encouraged to make requests rather than tell stories. However, narrative language skills are necessary for enhancing communication across social and educational contexts.
Tue, 08/12/2025
KU Life Span Institute Project Boosts Career and Community Transitions for Kansas Youth with Disabilities
KU disability research project aims to expand employment opportunities for youth transitioning from high school while strengthen community systems and supports across Kansas
Mon, 08/04/2025
KU receives $1M to expand technology access for Kansans with disabilities
The state grant will support University of Kansas Life Span Institute research toward increasing independence, inclusion and quality of life for people with disabilities across Kansas.
Wed, 07/23/2025
KU researcher advocates scientific framework to unlock music therapy’s full potential
Music therapy isn’t a “soft science,” according to KU Life Span Institute researcher Deanna Hanson-Abromeit, who advocates for wider adoption of her framework to evaluate and strengthen music therapy as a health intervention.
Tue, 07/15/2025
Study examines early sensory processing and development in people with autism
A researcher from the University of Kansas Life Span Institute recently published a comprehensive review of differences in sensory processing for people with autism during the prenatal (in utero) and neonatal (birth to a few months old) phases of life.
Thu, 06/12/2025
Eating disorders lab gains new designation as a center with continued goal to help improve access to better health
Research at the Center for the Advancement of Research on Eating Behaviors (CARE) aims to improve screening, intervention and treatment monitoring for eating disorders, which are both hard to detect and treat — especially across diverse populations.
Mon, 06/09/2025
KU scientists and center director among experts calling for revision of federal food and nutrition guidance during pregnancy
Should women stop eating fish while pregnant? While women often limit fish intake during pregnancy, experts warn this restricts nutrients vital for the developing fetus.
Fri, 05/16/2025
Program to reduce youth violence sees its first class of college graduates
ThrYve has supported hundreds of students through the program out of the KU Center for Community Health & Development and is based on decades of research on reducing youth violence. “Our best indicators of success are our young people,” Jomella Watson-Thompson, ThrYve director, said.
Thu, 05/08/2025
KU researchers conducting statewide assessment to inform literacy improvement among Kansas students
KU researchers are working to address literacy challenges and needs in Kansas schools by visiting teachers and families across the state this spring as part of the Blueprint for Literacy.
Mon, 04/28/2025
KU Center for Community Health & Development chosen to partner with Kauffman Foundation to improve economic mobility
The Life Span Institute's center will serve as third-party evaluator to support the Kauffman Foundation's Collective Impact Initiative and will provide a wide variety of educational and action support for staff and coalition partners.
Thu, 04/17/2025
Disparities in Black maternal health fuel KU research project to find better ways to identify eating disorders in pregnant and postpartum individuals
In an effort to improve healthcare disparities among Black and pregnant or postpartum individuals, Mari Thomeczek, a KU graduate student at the Center for the Advancement of Research on Eating Behaviors (CARE) recently finished an important phase of work to improve eating disorder screening questions.
Wed, 04/02/2025
National KU-based survey asks adults with disabilities to share their experiences to guide future research and policy
The 2025 National Survey on Health and Disability (NSHD) collects information that informs and shapes policy. The survey is based at the University of Kansas.
Thu, 03/20/2025
Disaster Strikes Fast — Here’s How People with Disabilities Can Stay Safe
People with disabilities face unique challenges during natural disasters like tornadoes, yet emergency planning often overlooks their needs. These essential preparedness tips, including how to build an emergency kit and ensure accessibility in shelters, can help you stay safe and ready when disaster strikes.
Mon, 02/24/2025
Report reveals high levels of added sugar in US infant formula despite medical recommendations
A study published today from the University of Kansas in the Journal of Food Composition and Analysis shows most infant formulas on the U.S. market contain primarily added sugars rather than the healthier, naturally occurring lactose found in cow-milk base that would be best for babies because it’s closest to human breast milk.
Thu, 02/20/2025
Successful mobile phone intervention for eating disorders on college campuses will expand
The BEST-U program, an 11-week treatment underpinned by guided self-help cognitive behavioral therapy, has shown “most participants were fully recovered from their eating disorder” during a pilot program at the University of Kansas.
Tue, 02/18/2025
KU researchers developing AI-boosted program to help teach writing skills to students with disabilities
A KU research team is developing and expanding Project AI-Score, a system that uses artificial intelligence technology to help instructors more efficiently teach writing to students with disabilities.
Thu, 01/09/2025
Reauthorization of Autism CARES Act to provide almost $2 billion for autism programs and research
Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training researchers explain how funding provided by the bill is essential to funding the new discoveries and to addressing the needs of the autism community in Kansas and across the U.S.
Wed, 12/11/2024
Understudied but ‘significant public health issue’ FXTAS is focus of first-of-its-kind research at KU
Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome may be more common than people realize because it looks so much like Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s diseases. Some physicians may even be unaware of the condition.
Mon, 11/25/2024
Project to document medical ableism experienced by people with disabilities
A new project at the Institute for Health and Disability Policy Studies (IHDPS) at the KU Life Span Institute aims to examine how health care challenges rooted in prejudices, known as medical ableism, affect people with disabilities.
Thu, 11/21/2024
A team approach to research offers undergraduates opportunity to be co-authors on cannabis study paper
Cofrin Logan Center researchers published article in the Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior on how responsibilities impact choices about marijuana consumption.
Fri, 11/15/2024
KU addiction center study explores how next-day responsibilities influence cannabis use
One sign of substance use disorder is continuing to use substances despite interference with responsibilities. However, previous research hadn’t examined why people may or may not reduce cannabis use before certain activities.
Fri, 10/11/2024
KU researchers partner with state to build capacity to employ Kansans with disabilities
A project that is a partnership between the state of Kansas and researchers at the KU Life Span Institute, initiated one year ago, is exploring ways to increase the capacity in the state to employ people with disabilities in jobs that meet higher thresholds for wages and other factors, with potential to improve opportunities and quality of life.
Wed, 10/09/2024
Study: ChatGPT needs expert supervision to help parents with children’s health care information
New research from the University of Kansas Life Span Institute highlights a key vulnerability to misinformation generated by artificial intelligence and a potential model to combat it.
Fri, 09/20/2024
Tera Fazzino among KU scholars named Faculty of the Year by Kansas Board of Regents
The Kansas Board of Regents awarded three current KU scholars and one former KU professor as Faculty of the Year for 2024. This program recognizes the outstanding contributions of faculty at state universities to teaching, student success, research and Kansas communities.