Veteran Russell Shilling leads new federal autism research initiative
Russell Shilling, a Navy veteran and father of two sons with autism, has been appointed to lead the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health's new autism project.
The initiative is described as a total-lifespan research effort aimed at improving autism diagnosis and care across the United States.
Shilling previously developed virtual reality therapy for Iraq War veterans with PTSD and built early chatbots to reduce mental-health stigma, and he spent six years working with Sesame Street on related educational content.
The project signals a broader federal push to address disability and mental health challenges.
This writeup was produced by pharmadog from original reporting by STAT.
Original headline: “STAT+: The head of Kennedy’s new autism project has roots in Iraq War, Sesame Street”
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