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Autism Psychology Intern Presented with Professionalism Award
Caitlin Bullard, PhD, was awarded the Karen C. Wells, PhD Professionalism Award for the outstanding professionalism, ethics, and compassion she demonstrated as a 2025-2026 Duke clinical psychology doctoral intern, where she focused on autism. The award is presented to a graduating intern and the recipient is selected by the graduating intern class.
Employee Spotlight: Alex Bey, MD, PhD
Alex Bey, a career in autism research and child psychiatry grew from a lifelong interest in science, a love of learning, and a desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families.
Clinical notes may capture speech-language concerns before diagnosis codes do
Doctors often record concerns about a child's speech and language before assigning a formal diagnosis. In our study, only about half of children with documented concerns had a diagnosis recorded at that visit, and many received one later. This pattern may reflect ongoing monitoring over time before a diagnosis is recorded.
Read the open-access paper from Duke and North Carolina Central University researchers at https://academic.oup.com/jamiaopen/article/9/3/ooag090/8707577
2026 INSAR Meeting Connects ESDM Trainers Around the Globe
The 2026 INSAR meeting, held in Prague, provided an opportunity for ESDM global trainers from across sites to connect in person.
Highlights from the Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development team
Lauren Franz, MBChB, MPH, presented:
Employee Spotlight: Steven Espinosa
Steven Espinosa brings a unique blend of technical expertise, creativity, and collaborative spirit to his work with the Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development.
