Center News

Duke researchers created the SenseToKnow app to help spot 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 with kids aged 3 to 8, the app showed clear differences between autistic and non-autistic children. With further testing, the app might be useful for autism detection in older children.

Raised on a dairy farm in Northeast Indiana, Sarah Sipe developed a strong work ethic early in life and a deep appreciation for community and care. Her academic journey led her to Taylor University, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, followed by a Master’s in Experimental Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Sarah’s interest in child development research first took root during a transformative undergraduate trip to Nepal, where she partnered with an organization providing family-based homes

When a child’s early social development doesn’t quite match the typical timeline of milestones and behaviors, parents and other caregivers may wonder about next steps to help their child, as well as what these differences may mean for their child over the long term. Pediatricians also face the question of which children with delayed language or other missed social milestones will need specialized assessments and therapies.

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is common among autistic people. Less is known about the behavioral characteristics of children who have both conditions when they are toddlers. 

A recent study led by associate professor Naomi Davis, PhD, asked caregivers to answer questions about their toddlers’ behavior, including whether they noticed signs of autism or ADHD. The children were then followed over several years. Some were diagnosed with autism only or autism plus ADHD. 

A recent Duke study explored a link between ADHD, difficulties with big emotions, and adaptive behavior – a person’s ability to perform everyday social and personal life skills - in autistic children. We found that kids with more difficulty managing big emotions also had greater difficulties with social adaptive behavior specifically.

We are expanding our research capacity at our facility in the Exchange on Erwin building to accommodate all of our research efforts into one easily accessible location. The facility has been designed to accommodate participants with sensory sensitivities and is equipped to support our advanced research studies.

Evan Watson, the Autism Center’s communications specialist has been with us since 2023. Originally from Winston-Salem, NC, Evan completed his Bachelor’s degree from The University of North Carolina at Wilmington, double majoring in history, and philosophy and religion. He then went on to complete a master’s program in library science at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he later worked as the overnight librarian at the 24 hour undergraduate library.

The Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development was well-represented at the 2025 International Society for Autism Research (INSAR) Annual Meeting. Team members traveled to Seattle for the conference, which took place April 30 through May 3, 2025.

Congratulations to Duke Psychiatry chair Dr. Moira Rynn and professor Dr. Gary Maslow on being named distinguished professors—and to the 29 other newly distinguished professors at Duke. They were all honored in a recent ceremony and reception at the Washington Duke Inn. Maslow serves as the medical director of the Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development

Distinguished professorships honor faculty who are well-established members of the Duke academic community and who have achieved distinction as creative scholars in their field or in their ability to transcend disciplines.