Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training

02/09/2026

Kansas ABA Providers:

Please fill out this link to receive Teams invitation:
https://redcap.kumc.edu/surveys/?s=KHKYMTWRDHTFNADH

Wed. Feb. 25th
11am – Noon

The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) invites ABA providers to a discussion on the Kansas Autism Waiver. We want to hear from providers of Medicaid early-intervention Autism services in Kansas.

Currently, children can access waiver services when they are than 5 years, 374 days of age provided they have a diagnosis of autism, meet eligibility, and a spot opens up on the waiver.

The waiver currently offers 2 services: Respite and Parent Support and Training
The waiver currently has families across the State of Kansas

Note – We will not be able to discuss rates for current services as we cannot control the current rates. We are interested in waiver development/enhancement ideas to ensure the autism waiver allows families with young children (under the age of 5) access to services.

So, we want you to put your thinking cap on and help us redesign the waiver!!!!

We are interested in your ideas about:
• Autism Waiver
o eligibility
o age
o transitioning to other waivers/programs
o New waiver services that are needed or re-imagining of current waiver services to make it more robust and meaningful for families
o Provider requirements for these services including training requirements.

• Agency Support/Education
o What support would your agency or you as a provider require to serve more families through the Autism Waiver, such as:
 Access to training
 Support for travel
 Provider recruitment

01/26/2026

KUCD Director and Ross and Marianna Beach Distinguished Professor in Special Education Dr. Karrie Shogren received the 2026 Education Award from The American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD)!
Learn more about the work we do at KUCD: kucd.ku.edu/about

KUCD Director and Ross and Marianna Beach Distinguished Professor in Special Education Dr. Karrie Shogren received the 2026 Education Award from The American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD)!

Learn more about the work we do at KUCD: kucd.ku.edu/about

01/21/2026

Research Opportunity for people aged 16-40.
The KU Center on Autism Research and Training is recruiting for a study that examines the effects of a medication named Pimavanserin on behavioral rigidity and restrictive repetitive behavior within individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder or ASD.
To volunteer, participants should:
• Have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Be between the ages of 16-40
• Have a caregiver who is willing to help complete study activities
Participation will last up to 10 weeks, which includes up to 6 visits to the lab. These visits will be conducted at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City. Participants will be compensated at a rate of $50 per study visit. All procedures have been approved by our local Institutional Review Boards.

If you or a family member is interested in hearing more, please contact the research team at 785-864-4461 or email [email protected] or fill out screener below:

https://data.lsi.ku.edu/redcap/surveys/?s=KE3RK97TXEHW4ECR

01/21/2026

Recruiting adolescents with Fragile X syndrome for an at-home sleep study!

12/18/2025

Improving Personalized Mediciation Management for Autism Spectrum Disorder

TO FILL OUT INTEREST FORM:
https://data.lsi.ku.edu/redcap/surveys/?s=A433DKEJ7JX8KD7K

or

Contact us:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 785-864-4461
Website: BRAINLab.ku.edu
To set up a call with our clinical research coordinator to discuss
potential involvement

STUDY PARTICIPANTS NEEDED
The KU Center on Autism Research and Training is recruiting for a study that examines how Lexapro may impact behavior for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder or ASD.

We are seeking individuals who:

-are between the ages of 12-25 years
-have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder
-can attend 3 study visits at KU Medical Center

Volunteers will be compensated for their time

12/18/2025

ARE YOU THE PARENT OF AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILD WITH DISABILITIES?
We’d love to hear your perspective!
We are conducting research to better understand how parents view their children’s self-determination skills in different cultural contexts.
📩 Interested?
Please email:
[email protected]

🙋 Who can participate?
Parents of children with disabilities who are currently attending elementary school.
🗣 What will you do?
You will be invited to a one-time, 30–45 minute one-on-one online interview (Zoom or Google Meet), at a time that

works best for you.
🌍 Why is this important?
We believe that your experiences and insights will contribute to the development of self-determination-based supports for children with disabilities and their families from different cultures.

This research is conducted by the Kansas University Center on Disabilities (KUCD).
https://kucd.ku.edu/
The University of Kansas does not discriminate in any employment practice, education program, or educational activity

12/03/2025

Experts in research at KU Life Span Institute are among those concerned by attempts to link this complex developmental disorder to vaccinations.

"Rigorous study after rigorous study failed to find that link," said Matt Mosconi, director of Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training. "This statement is confusing for individuals and families, and it has strong potential to be harmful.”

Read the full story in the Kansas Reflector:

A new page on a federal website that provides inaccurate information about vaccines and autism is concerning to some Kansans.

12/01/2025

K-CART's OASIS program

Linda Heitzman-Powell, a researcher and professor in pediatrics, helped create a program that gives parents, organizations and service providers across the world the tools they need to help children with autism thrive.

11/25/2025

𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐲 𝐚𝐭 𝐊𝐔 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐮𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞

We are recruiting autistic and non-autistic participants ages 15–21 for a research study at the University of Kansas. Our team is exploring how the brain and digestive system work together, and your participation can help advance this work.

This study involves a single 2-hour lab visit. Participants receive $60 for the visit, with the possibility of earning up to $400 if eligible for the full study. If you’re under 18, payment goes to a parent or guardian.

𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐫 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐛𝐞?
Email us at: 𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐫@𝐤𝐮.𝐞𝐝𝐮
OR
Scan the QR code on the flyer to complete a short eligibility survey

09/23/2025

🚨 AUCD Responds to the White House’s Autism Announcement
Today, President Trump and HHS officials amplified debunked science linking autism to Tylenol as well as the childhood vaccine schedule, and touted folinic acid “cures,” —ignoring decades of sound research and silencing autistic voices.

The facts:
✅Acetaminophen use during pregnancy has not been shown to cause autism.
✅Evidence for folinic acid as an autism “treatment” is extremely limited.
✅Vaccines are safe and do not cause autism.

Read AUCD’s full response debunking the Administration's dangerous claims here: http://bit.ly/4gBLkCY

See less

05/28/2025

The Division of Physical Activity and Weight Management at the University of Kansas Medical Center is recruiting for two summer programs:

KU V Fit: This is a virtual exercise program for adolescents and adults with intellectual disabilities taught live over Zoom. We are offering 1 class a week FREE of charge for the months of June and July- anyone can sign up who qualifies and exercise with us for free over the summer! Check out the website at https://ebl.ku.edu/physical-activity-program-idd and sign up for 1 month FREE at https://myclinicshop.com/.../product.../ku-v-fit-program/ (use coupon code: summer)
Chef-ID: This is a weight management and physical activity study for young adults with intellectual disabilities. We will be starting a group in the Lawrence area end of June and Kansas City area in August- Limited spots available- sign up now to get added to the list. Learn more at https://ebl.ku.edu/chef-id-study