09/08/2026
Dr. Lauren Franz, director of the Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development, will join other experts in this upcoming webinar series hosted by North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities to talk about the Early Start Denver Model, among other supports and strategies for autism. Dr. Franz will be speaking in part 3 on October 15.
Autism Supports: A Three-Part Webinar Series for Families, Professionals, and Policymakers
Families often face difficult questions when seeking autism services: Where do we begin? Which supports are available? What does the research tell us? How do we navigate insurance, Medicaid, therapies, and community resources?
This three-part webinar series will provide parents, caregivers, professionals, and policymakers with a practical introduction to autism diagnoses, services, and research-based approaches. Participants will gain a clearer understanding of the systems families must navigate, the range of available supports, and the policies and resources needed to help people with autism thrive.
Introduction to Autism Supports
Date/Time: September 17, 2026, at 6:30 p.m.
Location: Zoom https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/uOVKENwFTaOzQLDSXnnLFw #/registration
Receiving an autism diagnosis can leave families with many questions about what to do next. This introductory webinar will explain autism, how families can pursue a diagnosis, and where they can turn for reliable information and support.
Participants will also learn about identifying community resources and taking the next steps after a diagnosis. Professionals and policymakers will gain insight into the challenges families face when trying to access timely, appropriate services.
Topics will include:
- Understanding autism
- Pursuing and receiving a diagnosis
- Finding trustworthy information and research
- Identifying services and community resources
