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kulifespan.bsky.social
KU Life Span Institute
@kulifespan.bsky.social
67 followers 28 following 130 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
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
kulifespan.bsky.social
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
October 14, 2025 at 2:05 PM
kulifespan.bsky.social
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
October 13, 2025 at 2:05 PM
kulifespan.bsky.social
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
October 10, 2025 at 1:31 PM
kulifespan.bsky.social
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
October 9, 2025 at 2:04 PM
kulifespan.bsky.social
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
October 8, 2025 at 2:05 PM
kulifespan.bsky.social
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
October 6, 2025 at 2:05 PM
kulifespan.bsky.social
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
October 3, 2025 at 4:05 PM