New Study with Preschoolers Aims to Find Brain Activity Measure Linked to Autism
Researchers at the Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development continue the search for an objective brain-based measure linked to autism in a second round of studies led by Yale University. Harvard, the University of Washington, and the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles are also part of the study.
DDN Podcast: Seeing into the Future of Autism Detection
On the Drug Discovery News Podcast, Dr. Geraldine Dawson discusses how the SenseToKnow app uses smartphone cameras and algorithms to check for signs of neurodivergence in children.
https://www.drugdiscoverynews.com/seeing-into-the-future-of-autism-detection-16064
Autism Center Team Publishes Practical Suggestions for Neurodiversity-Affirming Clinical Care
People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) face barriers in finding neurodiversity-affirming clinical care that is suited to their communication style and needs. In this chapter, by Drs. Sam Brandsen, Tara Chandrasekhar and Lauren Franz offer practical suggestions for creating a safe, accessible, and effective clinical care approach for individuals with IDD.
Employee Spotlight: Jurgen Henn
Originally, from Freiburg Germany, Jürgen Henn grew up in the foothills of the Black Forrest Mountains. After finishing high school in Stuttgart Germany, Jürgen traveled through Europe, and North and West Africa, before returning to Germany to study English at Freiburg University. However, during his travels in Togo West Africa, he met his now wife, Laura, who was stationed there as a PeaceCorps volunteer. Laura moved to Durham after leaving the PeaceCorps, and Jürgen visited her in 1994, marrying her two weeks later.
Autism Center’s Sam Brandsen Speaks to Media about Emotional DNC Moment
Sam Brandsen, PhD, a Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development staff member, was interviewed recently on Charlotte's Spectrum News 1 as well as WPTF Radio in Raleigh about his experience as an autistic person and the father of an autistic child.
He discusses an emotional moment at the Democratic National Convention that put a spotlight vice presidential nominee Tim Walz's son expressing support for his father.
International FOXP1 Conference Brings Together Researchers, Families Affected by Rare Genetic Condition
“Our children are not sequences of letters. They are smiling, happy, giving, loving people,” said Duke University professor of mathematics Samit Dasgupta, PhD, opening the first International Conference on FOXP1 Syndrome, as he displayed a slide showing an alphabetical code representing the DNA sequence of this rare genetic condition.
Notes from the Field: Tobenna Ndulue MS’25
Duke Global Health Institute master’s student is working with Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development interim director Lauren Franz in South Africa on a new strategy to help caregivers of children with autism.
Carolina Theatre Announces Season 2 of Sensory Friendly Film Series
The Carolina Theatre of Durham continues its partnership with the Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development with Season 2 of the Sensory Friendly Film Series, which will run from August to December 2024.
Employee Spotlight: Billy Carson
Billy Carson, originally from Hilliard, Ohio, has been with the Duke Autism Center since 2019. He earned his bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering from Ohio State University and then relocated to North Carolina to continue his studies at Duke University. Currently, Billy is in the final stretch of his PhD program in biomedical engineering under the guidance of Dr. David Carlson. His research focuses on employing interpretable machine learning techniques to understand brain activity in children with autism.