Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

KU Life Span Institute @kulifespan.bsky.social · 15h

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

"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

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KU Life Span Institute @kulifespan.bsky.social · 1d

People with disabilities bring vital perspectives to research. A new project at @kucdisabilities.bsky.social is helping them build careers as co-researchers, making science stronger, fairer, and more inclusive. #NDEAM Learn more: https://loom.ly/q2iiwRE

Improving disability research through inclusion

KU lands grant to include individuals with disabilities in disability research, create new careers.

lifespan.ku.edu

KU Life Span Institute @kulifespan.bsky.social · 4d

Alcohol can make people misread a partner’s interest or intentions, making it more likely they will commit sexual assault.

Today at 11:30 a.m. CST, Elizabeth Neilson, University of Mo-KC, will discuss her work in this area at the Cofrin Logan Center's Seminar Series. Info: https://loom.ly/Eifc83E

"My hope is that by researching alcohol and sexual assault perpetration, we can learn more about why it takes place and how we can better prevent it." Elizabeth Neilson, University of Missouri-Kansas City

KU Life Span Institute @kulifespan.bsky.social · 5d

Some traits of #autism may be shaped by early sensory differences, according to #KUresearch. Scientist Carissa Cascio explains how these differences can trigger a cascade that shapes how children explore, learn, and connect. #SPD #SensoryProccessing

🧪 https://loom.ly/rQ_okog

How understanding sensory differences can help parents support autistic children

Sensory processing disorder has been estimated to occur in as much as 90% of children with autism, compared to occurring in an estimated 5-17% of the general population.

lifespan.ku.edu

KU Life Span Institute @kulifespan.bsky.social · 6d

As many as 1 out 4 adults in the U.S. have some type of disability, research out of the the KU Life Span Institute has found.

This is 40% higher than previous estimates. More accurate understanding of people disabilities helps improve services and support.

1 in 4 American adults have some type of disability

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KU Life Span Institute @kulifespan.bsky.social · 8d

Alcohol can make people misread a partner’s interest or intentions, making it more likely they will commit sexual assault. Elizabeth Neilson, @umkc.bsky.social, will discuss this topic at KU on Friday. Learn more: https://loom.ly/PaV2kDg

Scientist to present latest research on alcohol and sexual assault

College years correlate to a heightened risk of sexual assault, according to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, with 34.4% of female victims reporting a sexual assault between the ages of 18 to 24.

lifespan.ku.edu

KU Life Span Institute @kulifespan.bsky.social · 11d

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month! Our researchers at @kucdisabilities.bsky.social and @ihdps.bsky.social are working with #Kansas to support equitable treatment for disabled employees. #NDEAM #KUresearch

A man sitting at a desk wearing a hearing aid speaks in sign language to an individual on his laptop during a video conference call while a woman sits at another desk nearby working separately

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KU Life Span Institute @kulifespan.bsky.social · 13d

Partnering with people with lived experiences is the focus of a project out of @kucdisabilities.bsky.social that aims to improve outcomes by and develop career pathways in research for people with #IDD. #KUresearch #Disabilities

🧪 https://loom.ly/q2iiwRE

An illustration of a diverse group of people working under one umbrella. Text reads: “Such practices result in better research by including the voices of individuals the work is designed to serve.” KU Center for Disabilities Director Karrie Shogren

KU Life Span Institute @kulifespan.bsky.social · 14d

Attention #researchers: UMKC researcher Elizabeth Neilson will discuss at the Fall Seminar Series the latest science on how alcohol contributes to sexual assault. 🔗 https://loom.ly/brCTHjw

📅 Friday, Oct. 10 | 11:30 a.m.
📍 In person or livestream (see link for details)

UMKC scientist to present latest research on alcohol's role and sexual assault at Fall Seminar

The connection between alcohol and sexual assault is the topic of the next Fall Seminar Series, hosted by the Cofrin Logan Center for Addiction Research and Treatment at the KU Life Span Institute, with guest speaker Elizabeth Neilson, assistant professor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Her lecture is titled, "Sobering Data, Hopeful Solutions: The Science of Alcohol & Sexual Assault."

lifespan.ku.edu

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KU Life Span Institute @kulifespan.bsky.social · 15d

KU researchers are studying the link between Alzheimer's and #dementia in individuals with #DownSyndrome to learn what drugs and other interventions, such as diet and exercise, can stave off the onset of disease. #KUresearch 🧪 Read more: https://loom.ly/aJK49zk

KU Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center leading the nation in work with Down syndrome and dementia

One of only two Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers with a Down syndrome research program, KU ADRC has worked to increase community involvement in clinical trials.

www.kumc.edu

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KU Life Span Institute @kulifespan.bsky.social · 18d

The neurological roots of #ASD are complex, said Carissa Cascio, neuroscientist at LSI. She spoke with @statesnewsroom.com about what science has uncovered about #autism—and what researchers are still working to discover. 🧪 Read the story: https://loom.ly/I6kmdsM

Just a moment...

"The behavior is complex. The genetics are complex. The brain is complex. And so this makes it a huge challenge for research," said Carissa Cascio, senior scientist at the Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training.

www.newsfromthestates.com

KU Life Span Institute @kulifespan.bsky.social · 19d

Narrative language skills are an essential part of literacy and communication, but as much as 90% of #AAC interventions focus on making requests. #KUresearch tested a storytelling-based AAC approach that improved communication and #literacy skills for nonspeaking students. 🔗 https://loom.ly/BHSWcdM

Using AAC with storytelling boosts literacy skills in proof-of-concept study

Children who depend on AAC to communicate are not usually encouraged to tell stories. This includes 25 to 30% of autistic children who never develop functional spoken communication even with early intervention.

lifespan.ku.edu

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KU Life Span Institute @kulifespan.bsky.social · 20d

The KU Life Span Institute brings researchers from across disciplines together to help solve problems that directly affect the health and well-being of people in #Kansas, across the nation, and world.

Our work advances scientific discoveries to fuel a world where everyone thrives. #KUresearch

The KU Life Span Institute. 70 years of research improving human health and development across the lifespan

KU Life Span Institute @kulifespan.bsky.social · 21d

Have you ever wanted to write to your elected official but weren't sure what to say? Out of @CCHD, the @CommunityToolBox has a detailed guide with tips to maximize reading and positive response.

Find tools to help you share your voice: https://loom.ly/xPMeEnM

Chapter 33., Section 1. Writing Letters to Elected Officials - Main Section | Community Tool Box

Learn how elected officials react to constituent communications, and how to create both printed and electronic communications to maximize reading and positive response.

ctb.ku.edu

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KU Life Span Institute @kulifespan.bsky.social · 25d

For 35 years, the Dole Human Development Center at the KU has been home to the Life Span Institute.

We are a team of more than 350 scientists, staff and students working on solutions to improve the health and development of people in #Kansas and beyond.

#KUresearch

An image of the Dole Human Development Center at the University of Kansas with blooming day lilies in the foreground. Text overlaid reads: The Life Span Institute

KU Life Span Institute @kulifespan.bsky.social · 26d

Our researchers are part of helping #Kansas youth achieve literacy goals to reach their potential, leading to better outcomes in health and quality of life, and building a better future for #Kansans.

#NLM #Literacy #Education

An overhead image of several people working on blue print designs with a hard hat, calculator and a laptop. Text reads, "By 2030, Kansas will add 54,000 new jobs that require education beyond high school."

KU Life Span Institute @kulifespan.bsky.social · 27d

Attention: Kansans! If need help navigating an #autism diagnosis, therapy services, insurance, the team at Kansas Family Services Center is here for you.

Connect to tools and information to help at https://kfsc.ku.edu
#ASD #AutismFamily #Kansas

KU Life Span Institute @kulifespan.bsky.social · 28d

📚 Did you know? Autistic children tend to struggle with reading comprehension over word reading. Still, most schools are set up to identify students struggling with word reading abilities.
Learn more: 🔗 https://loom.ly/8Jq_fm8

#LiteracyMonth #NLM

A girl reads a book while using her fingers to track the lines of the text

KU Life Span Institute @kulifespan.bsky.social · Sep 12

Loved seeing all the amazing tech at the AT Fair in #Topeka this week—everything from one-handed game controllers to robotic spoons, eye-tracking tools, and smart glasses! 👓✨

Couldn’t attend? Contact your local ATK office to explore solutions for work, play & daily life. https://atk.ku.edu/

KU Life Span Institute @kulifespan.bsky.social · Sep 11

Literacy is a foundational skill impacting everything from academic success in school to income levels into adulthood. Our research supports literacy with evidence-based reading strategies for the future of Kansans.

#LiteracyMonth #LiteracyMatters

A young woman holding a pencil and school books wearing a graduation cap walks up stairs. Text next to her reads: "Literacy skills help support: graduation, college readiness,employment, higher wages, &health outcomes"

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KU Life Span Institute @kulifespan.bsky.social · Sep 10

Congratulations to Steve Fawcett! 🎉 The Dept. of Applied Behavioral Science will honor him with the Distinguished Alumni Award on Sept. 19.

Within the Life Span Institute, he has has worked to supports health and development in communities across Kansas and around the globe.

A man with glasses and a suit with text that reads: "Steve Fawcett, Distinguished Alumni Award"

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KU Life Span Institute @kulifespan.bsky.social · Sep 9

Why are rates of autism increasing? Here's a look at three factors that contribute to increased diagnosis of autism.

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KU Life Span Institute @kulifespan.bsky.social · Sep 8

Curious about what technology can do to improve your independence? Stop any time between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tuesday at the AT Fair at the Topeka Library.

Specialists will be there to answer questions with tools to try out for yourself. 🔗 https://loom.ly/EdIZ3Ik #Disability #Accessibility

Images of technology devices with text reads: "No matter the need, technology can be a great tool to support accessing the world around us." Abby Azeltine, ATK Director. Visit the AT Fair! 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 9 at the Topeka Library

KU Life Span Institute @kulifespan.bsky.social · Sep 5

Attention Researchers!
Join the Cofrin Logan Center's Fall Seminar Series as it hosts Joshua Grubbs, PhD, for his talk: “A Risky Bet? A Longitudinal Consideration of Sports Gambling and Alcohol Use” at Sept. 12 at 11:30 AM CT
https://loom.ly/X8mjnTE

#KUResearch #SportsGambling #Alcohol #Research

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Reposted by KU Life Span Institute

The Lawrence Times @lawrencekstimes.com · Sep 4

People with housing advocacy organizations urged the Douglas County Commission to schedule a vote and adopt tenant right to counsel next month. lawrenceks.news/4m1Wn9D

Housing advocates present tenant right to counsel ordinance to Douglas County Commission, push for approval

People with housing advocacy organizations urged the Douglas County Commission to schedule a vote and adopt tenant right to counsel next month.

lawrenceks.news

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