Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development

After a national search, renowned child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr. Lauren Franz has been selected as director of the Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development.

Dr. Franz served as the center’s associate director from 2022 to 2024 and interim director since 2024, when founding director Dr. Geraldine Dawson stepped down from the leadership role.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Franz on her new role. We look forward to continuing to work with her and supporting her vision for the future of the center.
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Duke University School of Medicine
Duke Health

Read our latest Connections Newsletter for news, research, and community highlights from the Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development!
https://t.e2ma.net/webview/g9738i/ab44f0dbc8925e7f7d0be56496e4e69e

Children with autism are three times more likely to experience constipation than the general population and current treatments don’t always work well for them.

For Nova and her mom, finding answers wasn’t easy. Now, their story is helping bring attention to a hidden challenge many children like her face.

They are why Duke Health and UNC Health are teaming up on a $12.9M national study to find better treatment options. This research highlights the power of our NC Children's partnership to bring hope to families across North Carolina and beyond.

https://www.wral.com/lifestyles/health/gi-struggles-children-with-autism-unc-health-duke-study-may-2026/

Duke Children's | Duke University School of Medicine

Duke autism experts are closing the gap in autism screening and care through interdisciplinary innovation. Read an update on the SenseToKnow app's next steps from the Duke Office of Interdisciplinary Programs: https://interdisciplinary.duke.edu/news/closing-gap-autism-screening-and-care-through-interdisciplinary-innovation/