Center News

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.

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.

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.

“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.

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.

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.

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.

One-on-one time with Duke University baseball players made a unique experience at the third annual Baseball Duke Bonanza even more extraordinary. Running the bases, catching a ball in the outfield, and trying out the batting cages in a college ballpark will be special memories for the children who participated.

Born and raised in the quaint village of Peninsula, Ohio, Lori Reinhart-Mercer grew up surrounded by the picturesque landscape of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, historical and natural wonders, and a deeply rooted sense of community. Her journey beyond Peninsula led her to Ohio University, where she pursued a passion for animal behavior, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Zoology. Following this, a shift into healthcare beckoned, prompting her to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Goshen College in Indiana.

A line of people of all ages eagerly wound their way through the lobby of Duke University’s Gross Hall, many of them hoping to get an autograph and a moment to meet a celebrity in the autism community.