Center News

Employee Spotlight: Mary Beth Hooks

As an advocate, educator, and dedicated clinical care professional, Mary Beth Hooks serves as an esteemed clinician here at the Duke Center for Autism. Mary Beth, originally from a small town in eastern North Carolina called Fremont, moved to the sprawling metropolis of the Triangle in 2004. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from North Carolina State University (NCSU) in 2008, and continued her education through training in Applied Behavior Analysis, and eventually receiving a Master of Social Work graduate degree from NCSU.

The Important Role of Psychiatrists in Meeting the Needs of Autistic Children and Adults

When people think of supportive services for autism, they often imagine specially trained teachers, psychologists, social workers, or speech and occupational therapists. They don’t always think of psychiatrists. But they should.

Autistic children and adults often experience co-occurring psychiatric conditions. Some studies suggest that up to 70 percent of autistic people have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Up to 50 percent suffer from anxiety disorders, and many autistic individuals also experience depression and other psychiatric conditions.

Trainee Spotlight: Adesuwa Emovon, MMCi

Clinical Research that Improves Access to Healthcare and Empowers Caregivers

Adesuwa Emovon has always enjoyed working with children, whether it involved teaching them a new concept or playing games. As a graduate student, she sought out the Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development to broaden her experience in working with children with disabilities and their families and learn more about research.