LEND Fellowship
Educating Leaders for Tomorrow's Challenges
Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) programs aim to improve health outcomes for people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other neurodevelopmental disabilities. These programs provide graduate-level training to the next generation of clinical, research, and community leaders. By participating in LEND, trainees learn about the importance of person- and family-centered care; honoring values and culture.
LEND trainees come from a wide range of cultural backgrounds and including individuals from many disciplines, including advocacy and family leadership. All current and recent former trainees are part of the AUCD Emerging Leaders Community. The University of Rochester LEND provides training to graduate students from audiology, nursing, psychology, public health, school psychology, social work, special education, speech language and hearing science. Self-advocates, family members and community members also participate in one year of course work, community practicum assignments, advocacy and research. The training program requires the completion of coursework (9 credit hours), research studies, advocacy projects and community practicum assignments with infants, children and youth and adults with developmental disabilities, including autism, and their families, for over 700 hours a year.
In our program, you will
- Acquire valuable experience working as part of a research team
- Attend national conferences as a presenter or participant
- Train in clinical and classroom settings
Our LEND program is 1 of 60 nationally and the only program serving Upstate New York. LEND is a collaborative training program of the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD). Trainees are primarily at the graduate level and are selected on the basis of their leadership potential and career goals.
Visit our curriculum page to learn more and see what our LEND alumni had to say about their experience.
AUCD: Growing Leaders, Driving Change
Photographs Courtesy of AUCD
LEND Alumni
We'd love to hear from you! Please update your contact information today.
Update Now! ยป
