A baby pulls a colorful scarf on her head during a music play class

Our Commitment

Through research, outreach and service, the Life Span Institute impacts people in Kansas and beyond. We envision a world where people thrive.

Two scientists work in a lab while wearing white coats and green latex gloves
A baby wearing a green onsie holds a shaker while turning back and look at the camera while in a music play class
A woman rests her head against a device while viewing a screen as part of a research project

Our first focus ...

The Life Span Institute research began in the 1960s as an effort to better address the needs children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. At the time, these children were often isolated in institutional settings and denied their rights as full human beings. 

Our focus has evolved over the past six decades, broadening to include science, service and outreach across the a variety of disciplines, including experts in education, behavioral science, and neuroscience.

Two researchers discuss a science poster while at a conference

Our scientists ...

  • Develop interventions to improve the long-term well-being of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities
  • Identify the earliest behavioral and biological markers for intellectual and developmental disabilities toward the best interventions for their needs
  • Support teachers in creating classrooms that offer all students opportunities to succeed and achieve their goals
  • Engage with underserved audiences to empower them to build stronger communities
  • Expand knowledge of prenatal and postnatal nutrition leading to healthier outcomes for future generations
  • Connect people with disabilities to technology that allows them stay independent in their homes
  • Develop methods to support individuals with intellectual disabilities in enjoying self-determined lives where they participate fully in their community
  • Study the roots of addiction and solutions while we seek to reduce its stigma
  • Foster future discoveries by training and mentoring the next generation of scientists
  • And much more

Our commitment ...

We are driven to find solutions to complex challenges in human development, health and welfare for individuals across the life span.

Overview

Four scientists discussing each other's research at poster presentations

Structure as Strength

Solving complex challenges to support people across the life span require an interdisciplinary approach. To meet that need, we bring together the collective energy and ideas of more than 300 staff and investigator, across multiple research centers, and community partners.

Research Centers at a Glance

Highlighted Projects

A boy working with an adult woman learns about weather by being guided to point at an image of a snowflake

Bridging the Autism Gap

Like many parents encountering an autism diagnosis in their child, Linzi Shriner learned there were several hurdles to overcome to get the kind of early interventions that children diagnosed with autism need. A KU program provided the confidence and understanding needed to communicate with her daughter, Baylee.
OASIS Program for Parents
A middle school student looks at an assignment while holding a computer tablet.

Helping Teachers and Students

A new program pioneered at KU is proving effective to improve students' writing skills, save educators' time and give teachers new tools to assess learners’ progress.The five years of data from Project WRITE showed marked improvement in multiple areas of writing, especially for students with intellectual and learning disabilities.
Project WRITE
A woman with Down syndrome and another woman holding a tablet work in a grocery story

Supporting youth with disabilities into adulthood

My Transition My Career is focused on supporting communities to enhance collaborations across existing local systems to improve the experiences and outcomes of youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities transitioning from school to working in the community.
My Transition My Career