Autism Initiative Led by Ex-Navy, Sesame Street Veteran — SkimNews
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- Russell Shilling leads the federal government’s new autism care and diagnosis initiative, bringing a unique background that spans military technology and children’s television.
- Shilling developed virtual reality therapy for Iraq War veterans with PTSD during his time in the Navy and at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).
- Shilling helped create early chatbots to destigmatize mental health issues, deploying them in clinical settings to improve access and engagement.
- Shilling spent six years working with Sesame Street, where he collaborated on initiatives using media to support child development and emotional learning.
- Shilling displays both military medals and a sky blue puppet from Sesame Street in his Fairfax, Va., office, symbolizing the dual influences on his career.
Why it matters: The autism initiative gains a leader whose proven work in VR therapy and public-facing behavioral tools offers a rare fusion of clinical innovation and mass communication—potentially accelerating how treatments reach families. This hybrid expertise could shift federal health projects toward more accessible, tech-driven models.
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