A Message from the Director
I n celebration of Autism Acceptance Month, we hope you will join us as we celebrate neurodiversities with our special keynote speaker, Trabian Shorters, as he presents “Asset-Framing® for Equity & Autism,” April 12 at 4:00 p.m. Eastern. A New York Times bestselling author and former vice president of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Shorters will share how Asset-Framing® defines individuals by their aspirations and contributions, equips communities to have greater social impact, and makes stronger cases for equity and systems change. Please do not miss this special opportunity to hear Shorters apply his perspective to the topic of autism and neurodiversity. This event is free, virtual, and open to all. Please register in advance here.
Also during Autism Acceptance Month, we welcome your thoughts in our “AutisticStrengths” social media conversation on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Please share your perspective on autism from a strengths-based, neurodiversity-affirming lens.
In this issue of our Connections newsletter, we highlight a few recent journal publications, accompanying news media coverage, and research-focused podcasts of interest. Remember, you can always visit our center and research Newsroom for our latest news and review our updated Publications list on our website, as well.
As we celebrate neurodiversities throughout Autism Acceptance Month, we are especially thankful for your partnership as we work to help autistic individuals live their lives to their fullest potential.
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Geraldine Dawson, PhD
Director, Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development
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Lancet Neurology Podcast Highlights Advances in the Prediction of Autism During Infancy |
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New Algorithm Detects Autism in Infants. How Might that Change Care? |
In a study led by Duke Center for Autism investigator Matthew Engelhard, MD, PhD, researchers found that infant healthcare records may help alert doctors to autism. Engelhard explained, “Having this information about autism likelihood at such an early age is particularly helpful in children who might otherwise fall out of contact with the health system.”
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Speaking of Psychology: How early detection could change autism diagnosis and intervention
The Centers for Disease Control has updated U.S. autism prevalence numbers to approximately 1 in 36 children. The latest American Psychiatry Association’s Speaking of Psychology podcast, featuring Center for Autism Director Geraldine Dawson, PhD, highlights this rise in diagnosis, why it is more common in boys than girls, and how research using artificial intelligence and brain biomarkers is making it possible to detect autism risk at younger ages than before.
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View Our Publications and Search for Faculty Articles
Did you know? You can view a Publications List from the Duke University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Division of Child and Family Mental Health & Community Psychiatry on our website here. To view publications authored by a particular faculty member, visit our Leadership and Faculty page and search for the individual by name. A list of articles they authored can be found on their profile page. You will find articles by our center researchers such as:
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Now Enrolling Kids 4-7 Years
All HERO participants get an in-person evaluation at the Duke Center for Autism at no cost. Only 2-3 in-person visits are needed, plus one parent interview that can be done virtually.
Parents will be compensated for their time.
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The ability to communicate is one of the most important predictors of long-term outcomes and independence for autistic individuals. The study of language in autsm also has the potential to inform our understanding of language itself, as we explore why some individuals have difficulties with certain domains of language while other domains remain fully intact. The Meeting on Language in Autism (MoLA), held on Duke University’s campus in March, brought together 130 researchers who study the emergence, use, and nature of language in autistic individuals. Pictured above, Duke Center for Autism psychologist Elena Tenenbaum, PhD, a member of the MoLA organizing committee, welcomes attendees to the three-day conference.
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At the March meeting of the Israeli Child Development and Rehabilitation Association in Tel Aviv, Israel, Duke Center for Autism Associate Director Lauren Franz, MBChB, MPH, (pictured above) presented the keynote, “Early Intervention for Autism: Evidence Base and Future Directions."
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Center Team and Future Med Students Talk
Research and Careers at NCSSM
Duke Center for Autism researchers met and discussed neurodiverse-affirming practices, autistic biomarker research, and careers in neurodevelopmental medical research with students at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM) in Durham, NC.
“We enjoyed meeting the amazing NCSSM students and learning about their plans for careers in medical research, psychiatry, and healthcare policy,” said Samantha Major, MHSc, Duke Center for Autism research program leader.
“We always enjoy connecting with our community, especially when we have a chance to meet young people who are dreaming big.”
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Evolutionary Parenting Podcast: How Do We Reconcile Early Intervention for Autism with Neurodiversity?
Our understanding and acceptance of autism has evolved over the years towards a greater awareness of what we call neurodiversity ̶ broadly, the idea that each brain is unique and this uniqueness comes with both strengths and weaknesses. At the same time, we have also learned how valuable early intervention is for longer-term outcomes. Lauren Franz, MBChB, MPH, associate director of the Duke Center for Autism, discusses this as the guest presenter on Evolutionary Parenting Podcast. Listen to it here.
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