I'm featured in an UN Article for International Literary Day on Sep 2. How cool is that!!
Congratulations, Hari, from the entire Frist Center Family. We are excited to see the results of your research!
FCAI Neurodiversity Inspired Science and Engineering Fellow Hari Srinivasan has been awarded the 2024 Autistic and Neurodivergent Scholars Working for Equity in Research (ANSWER) Scholars Program Award for his project “Navigating the Near: Virtual Reality Investigations of Peripersonal Space in Autism.” Srinivasan will receive a $10,000 award next academic year to work toward this research.
Hari’s continued outstanding achievements never fail to impress us! Congratulations, Hari, from the entire Frist Center Family. We are excited to see the results of your research!
NISE Fellow on AANHPI Autism Panel
NISE Fellow Hari Srinivasan Appears on AMBIV Collective Panel.
The webinar featured an empowering online panel that showcased autistic Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) self-advocates as they shared their inspiring journeys and self-advocacy experiences. Attendees had the opportunity to discover how these incredible individuals navigated the intersections of their cultural heritage and autism and how they used their voices to drive change and foster understanding. The conversation provided an intimate glimpse into their challenges, triumphs, and the strength of their resilience.
The AMBIV collective is dedicated to redefining inclusion. They are actively empowering disability and neurodivergent communities, fostering community connections, and building solutions rooted in diverse needs and aspirations. Their vision is to cultivate an inclusive and collaborative ecosystem that embraces diversity, innovation, and shared knowledge, offering hope for a more inclusive future.
The webinar featured an empowering online panel that showcased autistic Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) self-advocates as they shared their inspiring journeys and self-advocacy experiences. Attendees had the opportunity to discover how these incredible individuals navigated the intersections of their cultural heritage and autism and how they used their voices to drive change and foster understanding. The conversation provided an intimate glimpse into their challenges, triumphs, and the strength of their resilience.
The AMBIV collective is dedicated to redefining inclusion. They are actively empowering disability and neurodivergent communities, fostering community connections, and building solutions rooted in diverse needs and aspirations. Their vision is to cultivate an inclusive and collaborative ecosystem that embraces diversity, innovation, and shared knowledge, offering hope for a more inclusive future.
#Neurodiversity #AANHPI #Autism #ASD #SelfAdvocate #Panel #Webinar #AMBIV #AMBIVCollective
On May 29th at 10 am PT // 1 pm ET, we'll be hosting an engaging conversation where our esteemed panelists will share their unique journeys, self-advocacy experiences, and invaluable insights on the intersection of autism and their cultural identities.
This virtual event offers an invaluable opportunity to learn from the lived experiences of Ben VanHook, Celina Tupou-Fulivai, Hari Srinivasan, and Dennis Tran. Moderated by the Dr. Jenny Mai Phan and Kim Chua, we'll delve into thought-provoking discussions that champion inclusion, amplify diverse narratives, and foster a deeper understanding of neurodivergence within the AANHPI communities.
Join us as we embrace the beauty of our differences, challenge societal norms, and pave the way for a more inclusive and accepting world. Together, we can break down barriers, dispel myths, and create a space where every perspectives is celebrated.
Don't miss this incredible opportunity to learn, connect, and be inspired!
📅 Save the date: Wednesday, May 29th
⏰ Time: 10 am - 11 am PT // 1 pm - 2pm ET
💡 Learn more and register: https://lnkd.in/gExf56ba
Time: 10 AM PT
Event: Free Virtual Panel
Join us on Wednesday, May 29 at 10 AM Pacific Time/ 1 PM Eastern Time for an empowering and insightful virtual discussion. Our incredible panelists, each with their own unique experiences, will be sharing their journeys of self-advocacy, exploring how they intertwine their rich cultural heritage with autism to foster change and understanding.
This panel is not just a conversation but a step forward in embracing the diversity of the autism community and ensuring that all voices are heard and valued.
Let's come together to support and learn from the experiences of the AAPI autistic community. I look forward to seeing many of you there!
Join us for an engaging conversation as they share their unique journeys, self-advocacy experiences, and insights on the intersection of autism and their cultural heritage. This event offers a valuable opportunity to learn, connect, and champion inclusion.
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Grief as an emotion can impact the autistic community in very different ways
FCAI Fellow Publishes Article in Psychology Today regarding grief in the autistic community
FCAI NISE Fellow Publishes Article in Psychology Today Regarding Grief in the Autistic Community
Frist Center for Autism and Innovation Neurodiversity Inspired Science and Engineering Fellow Hari Srinivasan has published a new article in Psychology Today about the impact of grief on the autistic community.In this article, Hari discusses his own moving experiences with grief after the recent loss of both of his grandparents and how grief as an emotion can impact the autistic community in very different ways.
As well as being a Neurodiversity Inspired Science and Engineering Fellow, Hari is a Ph.D. neuroscience student at Vanderbilt University, a graduate of UC Berkeley, a PD Soros Fellow, a Fellow at the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation, a non-federal member of NIH’s Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee, and on various boards including Duke University’s ACE and The Brain Foundation.He is a Public Voices Fellow of The OpEd Project.
You can read the full article here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/giving-voice/202402/the-spectrum-of-loss-grief-through-the-autistic-lens
Thought Leader.
"So proud of Hari Srinivasan for his singular voice of insight, wisdom, advocacy, and activism, and for the distinction he brings to himself and everyone with whom he is associated. The Frist Center for Autism and Innovation | Vanderbilt University is honored to count Hari among its distinguished Fellows and it is awesome to imagine what the future holds for this inspiring young thought leader."
Some amazing gracious words about me from Prof Keivan Staussun of Vanderbilt University and Director of the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation at Vanderbilt. Thank you Keivan, and I had never quite though of myself as a "thought leader."
FCAI NISE Fellow Hari Srinivasan Pens Second Op-Ed for Time Magazine
Posted by stasikjs on Friday, January 5, 2024 in FCAI News.
On January 3rd, 2024, Frist Center for Autism and Innovation Neurodiversity Inspired Science and Engineering Fellow Hari Srinivasan published his second article in Time magazine, entitled “The Pervasive Loneliness of Autism”.
In this thought-provoking article, Srinivasan discusses how the epidemic of loneliness disproportionally effects the autistic population, and is only exacerbated by U.S. notions of independent living being the ideal.
Well done Hari, for another amazing piece of work!
Read Hari’s article here.
We reported on Hari’s previous Time article here.
The importance of remote and hybrid options.
In the piece, Hari discusses the arguments now being made to roll back remote work options developed during the Covid-19 pandemic, arguing that the reasons given for the roll-back are similar to those made for other accessibility accommodations in the past. Hari points out the irony that remote work was often seen as impossible before the pandemic, but overnight became feasible: "Pre-pandemic, we had been told that it was not possible or not financially viable. Yet these models ironically became "convenient" and "financially viable" overnight when the non-disabled world needed them."
He details the importance of remote work options (including hybrid conferences) for disabled and neurodiverse individuals.
#Neurodiversity #ASD #Disability #Autism #Access #Hybrid #RemoteWork #Accessibility #Equity #ADA
University Medal Finalist
Another piece of good news. I'm a university medal finalist; in the graduating class of 11,000 students across all disciplines. Berkeley has been good to me.
https://news.berkeley.edu/2022/05/09/in-times-of-crisis-2022-university-medal-finalists-summoned-resilience-hope/
What character or experience sets the Class of 2022 apart?
“Resilience in readjusting back to a world of many new normals and new possibilities. For instance, it has been a bit harder to sit in a physical classroom now; it’s like many social skills built up over the years got lost in the void of a two-year lockdown. My motor system is in an uncertain state, at best, so there is a bit of a relearning curve involved for many like me. There are, however, many positives in our new normal, such as the possibility for remote or hybrid employment and education, which will benefit so many disabled folks like me.”
What has been a challenge you faced at Berkeley and how did you address it? “I loved that at Berkeley I was surrounded by non-judgmental peers who were open to inclusion, except they often didn’t know how to include, a major reason being they have not been exposed to many spoken communication-challenged autistics like me at the college level. My navigating Cal meant thinking of solutions from two ends — for me, personally, and strategies as to how others in that group could go about including me. An example is that I took on the introduction part in the debate team in professor David Presti’s introduction to neuroscience class instead of attempting the later rounds, which required more rapid responses. So I was part of the team, contributing, instead of just existing on the sidelines. This has obviously been easier in structured academic situations than in social settings.
I got covered by Berkeley Grad Diversity
I got covered by Grad Diversity
“Though it was a sense of duty that initially drew me to participate in GiGS as a mentor, it has been my absolute privilege to know Hari and be a small support in his journey to graduate school. I am positive he will accomplish wonderful things at Vanderbilt and beyond.” Lindsey Burnside. Hari's GiGs mentor
But for Hari, just having a seat at the table is not enough. “I want to be able to redefine the table itself, whether it’s academically or in advocacy. A fair and inclusive world does not just have to be a myth. We need to work actively to make the possibility a reality. Everyone deserves the same opportunity of education, inclusion, and belonging.”
A Day in the Life
Quotes from the Article
What advice would you give to a young or teenage autistic person to help them live their best life, or what advice would you give an autistic adult to help them feel supported in their continuing journey?No one is an expert on you. No one knows enough about autism to be an expert. Even the “experts” are still learning. So no one gets to have final say on what your limitations, capabilities, & needs are.
What advice would you give parents of autistic kids about the best ways to support their kids in becoming their best selves? What advice from the so-called “experts” do you think parents should ignore? How can parents best support their non-speaking or minimally-speaking children?
Communication must extend beyond just basic wants. Basic wants are just survival. The next step up are needs around school/vocational/skills/interests which are necessary for building self-confidence and getting ahead. But real quality of life is the ability to express thoughts and opinions. So aim for that in communication—irrespective of the communication methodology used and whether it’s via speaking or via AAC.
On the “experts” part, I would repeat the advice to autistics above.
What are some aspects of advocacy work that you find especially fulfilling?
It is the opportunity, that dream, to make a contribution, even if it’s a pebble, that will lend to that huge ripple of change.
How can readers learn more about the experiences of non-speaking or minimally-speaking autistic people? Are there resources you’d like to point people to, or people online that you recommend following?
Just reading or following what a few of us are writing is not enough. Thought has to translate into action on the ground. Start by interacting with nonspeakers. There will be many in your neighborhood who are getting absolutely ignored or out of sight, tucked away in special education class or day programs. How will you learn unless you interact and start to include? Ask to start buddy programs at school if you are of school age. If a nonspeaker lives on your street, include them in your circle of friends and do things with them. There are many small things you can do at the grassroots level which together will make a huge difference and normalize the presence of every kind of human being in everyday society.