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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
kulifespan.bsky.social
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
October 1, 2025 at 2:06 PM
kulifespan.bsky.social
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
September 24, 2025 at 2:06 PM
kulifespan.bsky.social
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
September 19, 2025 at 5:04 PM
kulifespan.bsky.social
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."
September 18, 2025 at 2:06 PM
kulifespan.bsky.social
📚 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
September 16, 2025 at 2:05 PM
kulifespan.bsky.social
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"
September 11, 2025 at 2:05 PM
kulifespan.bsky.social
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"
September 10, 2025 at 2:06 PM
kulifespan.bsky.social
Why are rates of autism increasing? Here's a look at three factors that contribute to increased diagnosis of autism.
September 9, 2025 at 2:05 PM
kulifespan.bsky.social
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
September 8, 2025 at 2:05 PM