Center News

A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that the hormone oxytocin did not benefit autistic children. The multisite study was led by Duke Center for Autism's Linmarie Sikich, MD.

Read the article, in the October 14, 2021, issue of the NEJM here. 

The Autism Society of America celebrates the life of Dr. Ruth C. Sullivan, who passed away yesterday in Huntington, West Virginia. Over the course of six decades, Dr. Sullivan worked tirelessly to improve the lives of those diagnosed with autism, their families, teachers, and others who care for and about them. 

New research suggests EDSM may have a unique impact on neural circuitry underlying social cognition and familiarity. Read the article in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders here. 

Through affiliations between Duke Health and Duke School of Medicine, patients across the state benefit from academic research, grant funding and collaborative partnerships. One example is the NC-PAL line. This free telephone consultation program helps pediatricians across the state better treat children with mental health needs with the support of Duke Health’s psychiatrists and behavioral health specialists.

The Bridges 2e Center for Research and Professional Development presents "Crucial Conversations about Cognitive Diversity," a monthly webcast featuring the top minds in gifted and twice-exceptional education. In this finale episode, Duke Center for Autism Director Dr. Geraldine Dawson discusses ASD & ADHD.

With charming pics & a simple, sweet story our Duke University Center for Autism clinician Dr. Laura Kirby introduces the world to adorable & relatable Henrietta, struggling to deal w/ uncomfortable changes she must make to stay healthy.

Learn more and order yours here. 

COVID-19 caused many autism spectrum disorder caregiver-coaching studies to move to telehealth. Center for Autism investigators describe changes to two research studies that include ESDM, in the Journal of Autism.

Identifying Autism in toddlers is critical to beginning interventions early, and is associated with improved outcomes later in life. Soon, pediatricians and other health care providers will be able to install an app on their smartphone or tablet that is capable of analyzing the visual gaze of a toddler in order to determine if they may be on the Autism spectrum. Eventually, parents and others will be able to download it onto their own mobile devices and do the screening themselves.

A mobile phone app that tracks a toddler’s gaze as she watches short videos can distinguish between children who later receive an autism diagnosis and those who do not with 90 percent accuracy, according to a study published today in JAMA Pediatrics.