News
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, 10/27/2025
Parents of autistic children find training and support through online OASIS program
OASIS helps caregivers of autistic children learn evidence-based strategies founded on behavioral science, serving as a critical bridge between diagnosis and intervention.
Thu, 10/23/2025
Intervention and assessment tools target overlooked area of literacy development
While literacy interventions tend to focus on word recognition challenges, language comprehension is an important component of reading comprehension.
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.
Tue, 09/30/2025
KU lands grant to expand research including individuals with disabilities, creating new career pathways
The Kansas University Center on Disabilities has received a grant to help other universities adopt a model of research that includes individuals with disabilities as part of the entire research process. It will also create career pathways for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to work in the research field.
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.
Wed, 09/24/2025
What is FAIR? An overview of an alternative to the 15 percent F&A cap
Earlier this year, the White House aimed to cut federal funding for scientific research by instituting a 15% cap on indirect costs. In response, a national group of university research representatives has developed the Financial Accountability in Research (FAIR) model as an alternative plan for funding indirect costs, which they...
Thu, 08/28/2025
Fair will offer opportunity to explore technology to increase accessibility, independence
The AT Fair on Sept. 9 in Topeka will feature hands-on demonstrations of technology to help Kansans with daily tasks, employment and recreation.
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
Thu, 08/07/2025
Nancy Brady honored with AHSA’s highest award
The award is in honor of Nancy Brady's contributions in the field of speech-language-hearing, with much of her research focusing on pre-speech communication, language development, and interventions for individuals with developmental disabilites.
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.
Sat, 07/19/2025
Q&A on literacy needs for autistic students
Researcher Meghan Davidson answers questions about the unique literacy challenges of autistic students, including the benefits of reading and particular challenges in comprehension
Fri, 07/18/2025
Explainer: Challenges in reading for autistic students
Autism spectrum disorder includes individuals with varying support needs, communicative abilities, and intelligence levels. However, autistic individuals of varying support levels and abilities face similar challenges in reading comprehension.
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, 07/10/2025
Scientists earn national recognition for study on long COVID's effect on people with disabilities
Researchers at the Institute for Health and Disability Policy Studies documented how people with preexisting disabilities face more than double the risk of long COVID than double the general population.
Thu, 07/10/2025
Life Span Institute’s Five-Year Review Affirms Research Strengths, Impact
In early spring, the KU Office of Research convened a committee of faculty, staff and administration from the Life Span Institute and other KU units to evaluate the effectiveness of LSI in fulfilling its mission, review the center director’s leadership and identify challenges facing the center. ...
Tue, 07/01/2025
KU offers open access tools to grow health and well-being in communities worldwide
The Community Tool Box at KU's Life Span Institute offers open resources to help people take action, build a coalition, and enact change to help create a better world
Tue, 06/17/2025
Educating versus lobbying: Understanding the difference to advocate for your research
Over the past several months, several Life Span Institute researchers have reached out for guidance on advocating for their research at the federal level. Researchers and staff are among the best people to convey the impact of research, but it’s important to understand the distinction between educating elected representatives as...
Fri, 06/13/2025
Scientists call for renewed focus on in neglected area of developmental psychology
Publication summary: scientists assert the field has moved away from contingency learning too quickly, overlooking the potential to deepen understanding of early development.
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.
Thu, 05/22/2025
Perspective: To support autistic individuals with mental health challenges, support individual needs
Autistic teens and adults share firsthand strategies for managing anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges that commonly affect the autistic community.
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.
Tue, 04/29/2025
Professional autism training program and director move to KU, with potential to meet autism screening needs nationwide
GAIN, a nationally recognized professional development program that aims to improve the accuracy, quality and accessibility of autism diagnoses for families, is now based at the University of Kansas and has the potential to expand autism screening in schools, mental health clinics and other settings.
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.