Clinical Psychology Intern Receives Professionalism Award

Anna Laakman, PhD, received the Karen C. Wells, PhD Professionalism Award for the outstanding professionalism, ethics, and compassion she demonstrated as a 2024-2025 Duke clinical psychology doctoral intern, where she focused on autism.

Now a provisional faculty member in Duke Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Dr. Laakman is continuing her work in the Duke Autism Clinic.

Geraldine Dawson Featured in Time Special Edition

The Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development’s Founding Director Geraldine Dawson, PhD, was interviewed for a special edition of Time Magazine. She shared some of the known factors linked to autism and what questions researchers are looking to answer next.

This special edition is now available in print on newsstands.

Gary Maslow Receives NC Pediatric Society Award

Gary Maslow, MD, MPH, medical director of the Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development and the Gorrell Family Distinguished Professor in Children’s Psychiatry, received the 2025 Outstanding Academic Service Award from the North Carolina Pediatric Society.

Read more.

Keep up with the center’s news on our website!

Research helps us learn how all children grow, think, and learn. To do this, scientists study kids with autism and kids without autism. Families with non-autistic children also play an important role in this work. We thank them for helping us better understand how young minds develop.

Can Electronic Health Records Reveal Early Signs of Autism?

Can AI help spot autism earlier? Duke’s AURORA study is using machine learning to uncover hidden patterns in children’s health records—patterns that may signal autism before diagnosis. This groundbreaking research could lead to earlier support for kids and families. Read more.

SenseToKnow App Spots Differences Between Autistic and Non-Autistic Kids Aged 3-8

Duke researchers created the SenseToKnow app to help identify signs of autism in children by tracking how they interact with the videos and games in the app. The app was first tested with toddlers and showed promising results. In a recent study, the app showed clear differences between autistic and non-autistic children aged 3 to 8. With further testing, the app might be useful for autism detection in older children. Read the abstract.

COMET Study Recruiting Kids Without Autism

The COMET study is recruiting kids 3-5 years old without autism to help us learn more about the brain and behavior. Kids play engaging games and caregivers are compensated.

All participants get a space scientist badge to show their teachers, friends, and family! Visit our COMET website or email us at autismresearch@duke.edu to learn more.

Duke Arts presents Jenn Freeman’s “Is It Thursday Yet?”

This stunning tapestry of dance, live music, and home video footage invites audiences into the unique complexities of dancer and choreographer Jenn Freeman’s life following her autism diagnosis at age 33.

To support neurodivergent attendees, the Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development is collaborating with Duke Arts and Reynolds Industries Theatre to develop a social story that helps prepare audience members for what to expect during the performances on November 14 and 15.

Tickets and More Info

Sensory Friendly Film Series at the Carolina Theatre

The Carolina Theatre of Durham has announced a third season of the Sensory Friendly Film Series, continuing this wonderful partnership with the Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development!

The first movie, Rio, is on Saturday, August 23 at 11:00 am, followed by The Princess Diaries on September 6.

See the full schedule and get free tickets at the Carolina Theatre’s website.

Duke Center for Autism Seminar Series

Our 2025-2026 Duke Autism Seminar Series will begin with "Stratifying the Heterogeneity of Autism: Impact of Co-Occurring Anxiety and ADHD," a presentation by Kimberly Carpenter, PhD, associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Duke, on Wednesday, September 3 at 4:00 pm. 

Register here.

Visit the seminar series webpage or sign up for our seminar series email list for more information.