Doctors may record concerns about a child's speech and language before a formal diagnosis. In our study, about half of children with documented concerns had a diagnosis recorded at that visit, and many received one later. This may reflect ongoing monitoring over time before a diagnosis is recorded.

Dr. Jill Howard is the Director of the Duke Autism Clinic, and has completed the Duke Clinical Leadership Program!

Read our latest Connections Newsletter for news, research, and community highlights from the Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development! t.e2ma.net/webview/g973...

The 2026 INSAR meeting, held in Prague, provided an opportunity for Early Start Denver Model autism intervention trainers from across the globe to connect in person. Highlights from Duke included presentations by Lauren Franz, MBChB, MPH; and Vikram Aikat.

Duke autism experts are closing the gap in autism screening and care through interdisciplinary innovation. Read an update on the SenseToKnow app's next steps from the Duke Office of Interdisciplinary Programs: interdisciplinary.duke.edu/news/closing...

Join us for the final presentation in our 2025-2026 Duke Autism Seminar Series. Jamie Pearson, PhD, Associate Prof of Special Education and Educational Equity at NC State will present "FACES for Autism" Wed, May 20 at 4pm ET duke.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

The power of NC Children's. PCORI just awarded $12.9 million to team up with UNC to improve care for autistic children with constipation, who experience the condition at three times the rate of other kids. More: https://duke.is/p/yqpw @dcrinews.bsky.social | @dukemedschool.bsky.social | #autism

You're invited to the final show in this season's Sensory Friendly Film Series at the Carolina Theatre of Durham! WALL-E Next Saturday, May 9 at 11 am Get your FREE tickets at carolinatheatre.org/events/film/...

A Duke study shows AI models may identify a child’s risk of developing #ADHD years before a typical diagnosis, potentially allowing support to start earlier. duke.is/b/vtrg @dukemedschool.bsky.social

See the full gallery and read what players and families had to say about last week's Soccer Spectacular with Duke Women's Soccer and Duke Men's Soccer: autismcenter.duke.edu/news/duke-at...

"Each individual has a right to full opportunities to thrive at every age and stage of their life. Our charge is under constant review to advance this work for our students." - Kristen Bell, EdD, Executive Director of the Exceptional Children's Programs at Durham Public Schools.

“The solutions the autism community needs will come from collaboration rather than division.” our founding director Geraldine Dawson, PhD, addresses major challenges facing the autism community in this viewpoint in JAMA Pediatrics: jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...

Alignment, Adaptation, and Accommodation: Holden Thorp offers advice for optimizing outcomes for autistic people in the Duke Autism Center's Autism Acceptance keynote seminar. autismcenter.duke.edu/news/alignme...

Join our study of Child Development! Kids 3-5 yrs: Play fun games with Duke scientists to help us learn more about child development, behavior, and brain activity. Learn more at autismcenter.duke.edu/comet-study-... ***Recruiting children without any developmental concerns***

April is Autism Acceptance Month! What does autism acceptance mean, in practice? Two local leaders in public education weigh in: today.duke.edu/2026/04/what...

There's one week left to register for Holden Thorp's Autism Acceptance Month Keynote Seminar: "A Convergent Model for Autistic Flourishing." Register for this free zoom webinar at duke.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

This Thursday, April 2, Geraldine Dawson, PhD, will be speaking at the Care on the Spectrum: Advancing Autism Science in Clinical Practice virtual conference organized by @stanfordmedicine.bsky.social. See medhub.stanford.edu/event/careon... for details and registration.

You're invited to join us at The Carolina Theatre of Durham for the next Sensory Friendly Film! Abominable Saturday, March 14, 11am FREE tickets: carolinatheatre.org/events/film/...

Our 2025 Impact Report is online now! Explore highlights from our four mission areas: research, clinical care, education and training, and community impact: autismcenter.duke.edu/2025-impact-... @dukepsychiatry.bsky.social @dukebrain.bsky.social @dukehealth.bsky.social

Please join us for the next speaker in our Duke Center for Autism Seminar Series: Adam Naples, PhD, of the Yale Child Study Center will present "Multimodal Biomarker Research in Autism" Wed, March 4 at 4pm ET. Register for this free webinar here: duke.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

Huge thanks to B&K’s Studio for their generous donation to the Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development! B&K’s Studio is a non-profit founded by a group of local high school students in 2022 to support the autism community.

Can screening tools help flag speech-language delays at age 2? Using electronic health records from 7k kids, lower SWYC scores were strongly associated with speech-language delay diagnoses. 🎥 Watch Dr Danai Fannin’s video abstract: journals.lww.com/jrnldbp/page... #NCCU_BBRI #nccuresearch #WeAreNCCU

Save the Date: Holden Thorp to Deliver 2026 Autism Acceptance Keynote Presentation "A Convergent Model for Autistic Flourishing:" Wed, April 8 at 4pm ET. Register for this free zoom webinar at https://duke.zoom.us/meeting/register/WNloRXIcQ3eSV85oqmhT_A

Dr. Sohl will present on ECHO Autism: Early Diagnosis and Advanced Diagnosis as examples of quality and process improvement for comprehensive autism diagnostic and longitudinal services.

A Duke team is partnering with organizations in western NC to help support kids with intellectual and developmental disabilities since Hurricane Helene, when services have been harder to access and coordinate. @dukepsychiatry.bsky.social psychiatry.duke.edu/news/support...

Please join us for the next presentation in our Duke Center for Autism Seminar Series: Kristin Sohl, MD, Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Missouri. Feb 4, 4 pm ET. Register for this FREE zoom webinar at https://duke.zoom.us/meeting/register/Ao5fTYkETCSJhc113YPP5w

"Autistic kids often feel excluded because they are different. Having a doll that represents their personal experiences sends a message that they are valued and included," Geraldine Dawson, PhD, told ABC News. www.goodmorningamerica.com/living/story...

Applications are now being accepted for the Duke-NCCU Interdisciplinary Postdoc Training Program! @dukepsychiatry.bsky.social For more details, eligibility, and how to apply, see psychiatry.duke.edu/duke-nccu-in...

Wishing you holiday cheer and a very happy new year from the Duke Center for Autism! Check out the 2025 holiday art gallery at autismcenter.duke.edu/events/holid... This year's card is "Shimmering Leaves" by Anivardh, age 12.

The next presentation in our Seminar Series is "Quantifying Behavior in Autism with Digital Phenotyping and AI Techniques" with Ilan Dinstein, PhD, of Ben Gurion Univ. Jan 7 at 1 pm ET. (Please note the difference from our usual time) Register for this free webinar at duke.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

Please join us for the next Sensory Friendly Film screening at the Carolina Theatre of Durham - Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs! Get FREE tickets at carolinatheatre.org/events/film/...

Our December newsletter is online now! Read and subscribe for all the latest news from our research center, clinic, and community. t.e2ma.net/webview/gp4j...

Many young autistic children also have ADHD, which can impact the child’s experiences. However, figuring out which autistic children have ADHD can be difficult. A new paper from Duke researchers describes an approach that providers can take to identify ADHD in autistic kids. doi.org/10.1080/1537...

Dr. Rebecca Shaffer will present the next session in the Duke Autism Seminar Series - "Addressing Emotion Dysregulation in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Outcomes of Regulating Together" Wed, Dec 3 at 4pm ET Register for this free webinar at https://duke.zoom.us/meeting/register/FGcyR0pTR-KTQYxn8HXsRQ

We are now accepting your artwork for our 2025 holiday art gallery and contest! All entries will be featured in a gallery, and one winner will be selected as our 2025 holiday card. See autismcenter.duke.edu/gallery for details on how to send in your art! Please submit your entries by Fri, Dec 5

Alexandra Bey, MD, PhD, is a child psychiatrist in the Duke Autism Clinic and a researcher in the Duke Center for Autism. We sat down with Dr. Bey for a conversation about how her dual roles in research and patient care overlap. autismcenter.duke.edu/news/spotlig...

Autism develops from many influences during early brain development. Duke researchers explain a “threshold” model: no single gene or factor causes autism on its own. Many small genetic differences, with certain environmental influences before birth, can add up and increase the likelihood of autism.

Dr. Rebecca Shaffer will present the next session in the Duke Autism Seminar Series - "Addressing Emotion Dysregulation in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Outcomes of Regulating Together" Wed, Dec 3 at 4pm ET Register for this free webinar at https://duke.zoom.us/meeting/register/FGcyR0pTR-KTQYxn8HXsRQ

Join us for the next sensory-friendly film - ALADDIN at 11 am this Saturday, Nov 22 at The Carolina Theatre of Durham Get FREE tickets at carolinatheatre.org/events/film/...

We are now accepting your artwork for our 2025 holiday art gallery and contest! All entries will be featured in a gallery, and one winner will be selected as our 2025 holiday card. See autismcenter.duke.edu/gallery for details on how to send in your art! Please submit your entries by Fri, Dec 5

There's still time to register for this Friday's Neurodiversity College Career Summit, organized by Duke Neurodiversity Connections and the Duke Career Center! See details and registration at app.joinhandshake.com/career_fairs...

Huge thanks to Duke Women's Soccer for supporting the Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development at last night's game! The kids enjoyed the game and getting to meet the players on the field. And congratulations on a big win over Clemson!

Dr. Anna Laakman, a recent clinical psychology internship graduate who joined our faculty, was struck by the range of training experiences the program offered & the faculty's dedication to helping trainees meet their goals. Learn more about the program: https://ow.ly/FcL650Xl44y

Next Wednesday, Nov 5, at 4pm ET, Dr Greg Siegle from the University of Pittsburgh will present "Sensory and emotional sensitivity in autism: from neuroscience to narrative." Register for this free webinar in the Duke Center for Autism Seminar Series at duke.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

Greg Siegle, PhD, Prof of Psychiatry, Clinical and Translational Science at Pitt, will speak at the next presentation in our Autism Seminar Series! Wed, Nov 5 at 4pm. Register for this free webinar at https://duke.zoom.us/meeting/register/jz811LVzQ2-IwHARj8cBJA Duke Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences

Fri, Nov 7: The virtual 2025 NC Neurodiversity College Career Summit connects NC college students seeking internships + full-time opportunities with neurodiversity-affirming employers. 🤝 Register at https://app.joinhandshake.com/career_fairs/2b042d31-e547-40ae-9feb-be2d9b716852/student_preview

Read the latest Connections newsletter online! This month's edition features: 🎙️ Podcast interviews with Autism Center researchers 🧠 Research updates from the Autism Center of Excellence projects ⚽ Discounted tickets to Duke Women's Soccer and more! Read and subscribe: t.e2ma.net/webview/s2ei...

Dr. Kim Carpenter, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, spoke at last week's UNC TEACCH Conference about how co-occurring ADHD and anxiety impact autistic children, and shared some tips to improve diagnostic protocols and care planning for these co-occurring conditions.

In the Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development clinic, Duke child & adolescent psychiatry fellows learn how to improve the mental health of autistic & neurodivergent children. Duke Psychiatry's Dr. Nate Copeland shares more about the fellows’ experience ⤵️ https://ow.ly/eXIB50XeXPT #Match2026

Join us for a sensory-friendly screening of Monsters, Inc. at 11 am next Saturday, Oct 25 at the Carolina Theatre of Durham! Get FREE tickets at carolinatheatre.org/events/film/...