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kulifespan.bsky.social
KU Life Span Institute
@kulifespan.bsky.social
70 followers 29 following 140 posts
Research at the University of Kansas to support human health and development in pursuit of solutions that empower people's lives.
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kulifespan.bsky.social
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
Kansas autism researchers concerned about misinformation on federal website • Kansas Reflector
A new page on a federal website that provides inaccurate information about vaccines and autism is concerning to some Kansans.
kansasreflector.com
December 3, 2025 at 3:05 PM
kulifespan.bsky.social
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
“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
December 2, 2025 at 3:06 PM
kulifespan.bsky.social
Your 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.
December 1, 2025 at 3:04 PM
kulifespan.bsky.social
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
Why Pregnant Women Should Be Eating More Fish
Ignore the old warnings about mercury.
www.bloomberg.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:03 PM
kulifespan.bsky.social
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
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.
lifespan.ku.edu
November 19, 2025 at 3:06 PM
kulifespan.bsky.social
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
KU advances tools and supports to improve postschool outcomes for students with disabilities with $1.8M federal grant
For the 3 million students who graduate from high school each year, transitioning to what’s next can be an even bigger struggle, particularly for those with disabilities, who have historically been less likely to graduate from high school and attain positive postschool outcomes.
lifespan.ku.edu
November 18, 2025 at 3:04 PM
kulifespan.bsky.social
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.
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
November 14, 2025 at 5:04 PM
kulifespan.bsky.social
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
Belonging @ KU: Exploring Disability & Identities. Featuring Stephanie Ruppen, Sean Swindler, and Jean Hall
November 13, 2025 at 3:05 PM
kulifespan.bsky.social
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
A man reads a book to his daughter while they smile together and sit in a bedroom in their home.
November 10, 2025 at 5:05 PM
kulifespan.bsky.social
🎧 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
New Audio-Reader grant aims to expand regional arts accessibility
The Arts Accessibility Forum, funded through a grant from the Kansas Arts Commission, aims to bring together arts professionals with members of the disability community to discuss methods of increasing the number and quality of accessible arts experiences across Kansas and beyond.
news.ku.edu
November 7, 2025 at 5:05 PM
kulifespan.bsky.social
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
"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
November 6, 2025 at 3:06 PM
kulifespan.bsky.social
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
November 5, 2025 at 3:05 PM
kulifespan.bsky.social
Attention #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
November 4, 2025 at 3:05 PM
kulifespan.bsky.social
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
Parents of autistic children find training and support through online OASIS program
OASIS aims to help families and caregivers learn evidence-based strategies founded on behavioral science, such as Applied Behavior Analysis.
lifespan.ku.edu
November 3, 2025 at 3:04 PM
kulifespan.bsky.social
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/
Young adults volunteer working outside with gloves and shovels
October 31, 2025 at 4:05 PM
kulifespan.bsky.social
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/
October 30, 2025 at 2:04 PM
kulifespan.bsky.social
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
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.
October 29, 2025 at 2:06 PM
kulifespan.bsky.social
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
An illustration of a man in distress with text that reads: 40% of autistic people have an anxiety disorder
October 28, 2025 at 2:05 PM
kulifespan.bsky.social
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
“The decisions you make should depend on what’s important to you.” Ben Edwards, Assistant Researcher at the Kansas Center for Disabilities
October 27, 2025 at 2:05 PM
kulifespan.bsky.social
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
Intervention and assessment tools target overlooked area of literacy development
Before children learn to read, they learn how to speak, how to listen, and understand language.
lifespan.ku.edu
October 24, 2025 at 3:05 PM
kulifespan.bsky.social
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/
October 23, 2025 at 2:05 PM
kulifespan.bsky.social
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 woman sitting in a motorized wheelchair works at a computer in her home
October 22, 2025 at 2:07 PM
kulifespan.bsky.social
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 person looks over receipts while standing in the food aisle of a store
October 21, 2025 at 4:05 PM
kulifespan.bsky.social
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 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
October 16, 2025 at 2:05 PM
kulifespan.bsky.social
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 woman wearing a blue uniform shirt demonstrates how a tablet device works to a woman wearing a red raincoat.
October 15, 2025 at 2:06 PM