The CIDD serves individuals and families across North Carolina. Our center specializes in comprehensive evaluation and consultation services for individuals of all ages who have, or are suspected of having a developmental disability. Thus, individuals with a known or suspected neurodevelopmental condition such as intellectual disability and/or autism spectrum disorder, or genetic syndromes or medical conditions affecting development are commonly referred to our center. Clinicians at the CIDD have particular expertise in working with individuals in cases where previous evaluations and support services may not have sufficiently addressed their learning or developmental needs. Please see our Services page to learn more about our clinic teams and how to request services.

Is your family interested in participating in research related to developmental disabilities? The CIDD offers several programs that allow families to find out about ongoing research opportunities at UNC. The research registries offer an efficient, confidential way to link people with information about studies without any obligation to join. Learn more.

Information About the CIDD

I/DD Information and Resources

15q Clinical Research Network
The 15q Clinical Research Network is a collaboration between the Angelman Syndrome Foundation (ASF) and Dup15q Alliance to partner with leading medical and research institutions from around the world to provide expert medical care for individuals with Angelman syndrome and Dup15q syndrome.

Alternative Augmentative Communication Information
For information and resources related to alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) supports for learners with complex communication needs, the link above provides access to AAC-related resource guides available through the CIDD.

Angelman Syndrome Foundation
The Angelman Syndrome Foundation aims to advance awareness and treatment of Angelman syndrome through education and information, research, and support for individuals with Angelman syndrome and their families.

The Arc of North Carolina
The Arc of North Carolina provides advocacy, resource navigation assistance, and direct supports and services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD)
The Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) Research, Education, and Service is a network of interdisciplinary centers advancing policy and practice for and with individuals with developmental and other disabilities, their families, and communities. As a participating center, the CIDD is also a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD), Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) program, and Intellectual and Developmental Disability Research Center (IDDRC).

Autism Society of North Carolina
The Autism Society of North Carolina aims to improve the lives of individuals with autism, support their families, and educate communities. Their organization offers information about autism, resource navigation assistance, and direct support services.

Best Buddies North Carolina
Best Buddies in North Carolina offers one-to-one friendship and leadership development programs for individuals with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Brain Injury Association of North Carolina
The Brain Injury Association of North Carolina is a statewide non-profit organization that strives to better the lives of individuals living with brain injury.

Crisis Service Resources
For non-emergent crisis support resources, the NC Department of Health and Human Services website offers information regarding local mobile crisis teams, behavioral health urgent care sites, and other professional treatment services on their website.

Disability Rights North Carolina
Disability Rights North Carolina (DRNC) helps North Carolinians with disabilities understand their civil rights, and helps them protect those rights.

Duke Children’s Law Clinic
The Children's Law Clinic is a community law office located at Duke Law School that provides free legal advice, advocacy, and legal representation to low-income children in cases relating to school and the overall health and welfare of children. The Clinic is staffed by Duke Law students who represent clients under the supervision of attorneys on the Duke Law faculty. The Clinic represents: (1) students with disabilities who need appropriate special education services; (2) students facing school discipline (i.e. excessive suspensions or an expulsion); and (3) children who have been denied health and disability benefits (i.e. SSI). Their legal services are free.

Dup15q Alliance
The Dup15q Alliance raises awareness, promotes research into chromosome 15q duplications, and seeks to find targeted treatments so that affected individuals can live full and productive lives.

Easterseals UCP
Easterseals UCP’s Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) Services provide home and community-based supports that help individuals live, learn, work, and play in their communities.

Family Support Program
The Family Support Program through the UNC School of Social Work provides support for families with children who have special needs. In addition, their website hosts a directory of inclusive summer camps in North Carolina, which is updated annually.

First in Families of North Carolina
First in Families of North Carolina (FIFNC) is a grassroots family support initiative, and is a nonprofit corporation supported, in part, by the North Carolina Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services. Their organization promotes self-determination through public education and advocacy efforts, and works with local community partners to help connect families to resources they may need.

FIRST Resource Center
FIRST connects persons with disabilities and their families with the resources they need to thrive in the community. Whether it is coordinating with government agencies, schools, or community partners, First has the knowledge and relationships to advocate effectively on your behalf.

North Carolina Act Early
The North Carolina Act Early program seeks to educate families, service providers, and community members about the importance of monitoring developmental milestones and early detection of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities.

North Carolina Assistive Technology Program (NCATP)
The NCATP is a state and federally funded program that provides assistive technology services statewide to people of all ages. Their services promote independence for people with disabilities through access to technology.

North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities (NCCDD)
The North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities (NCCDD) works to improve opportunities and lives of North Carolinians with I/DD through advocacy, capacity building, and systems change.

North Carolina Infant-Toddler Program
The North Carolina Infant-Toddler Program (ITP) provides early intervention supports and services for families and their children, birth to age three, who have special needs. Services are facilitated by a network of Children’s Developmental Services Agencies (CDSAs) across the state. Click here to identify your local CDSA office.

North Carolina Innovations Waiver
The NC Innovations Waiver is a federally approved Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Waiver designed to provide support services to meet the needs of individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD). Given that there are a limited number of waiver slots and that there can be a long wait to receive supports, interested individuals are encouraged to speak with an I/DD care coordinator through their local LME-MCO to determine their eligibility for being added to the waitlist, also known as the Registry of Unmet Need.

North Carolina Complex Mental Health/IDD Resources
The North Carolina Complex Mental Health/IDD Resources website provides information and resources for families, care providers, and community members who live with and/or care for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DDs) who also have mental health needs. This website is supported through the NC Department of Health and Human Services Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services and The UNC School of Social Work Behavioral Health Springboard.

North Carolina Down Syndrome Alliance (NCDSA)
The North Carolina Down Syndrome Alliance empowers, connects, and supports the lifespan of individuals with Down syndrome, their families, and the community through outreach, advocacy, and education throughout the state.

North Carolina Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Informed (NCFASD Informed)
NCFASD Informed assists caregivers, educators, and practitioners from all disciplines understand the impact of exposure to alcohol in utero, which results in a variety of developmental disability characteristics collectively referred to as fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

North Carolina Postsecondary Education Alliance (NC PSEA)
The North Carolina Postsecondary Education Alliance (NCPSEA) is an open group of advocates, family members, educators, care providers, state organization representatives, and other community members who meet regularly with the goal of expanding postsecondary education options for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in North Carolina. The NCPSEA meets quarterly and welcomes new members.

Prader-Willi Syndrome Association (North Carolina Chapter)
The Prader-Willi Syndrome Association supports individuals diagnosed with Prader-Willi syndrome, their families, and care providers by sharing critical information and resources, supporting research projects that have potential for immediate and high impact for the PWS community, and raising awareness through advocacy efforts.

Special Olympics North Carolina
Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community. Special Olympics North Carolina is one of the largest Special Olympics programs in the world with nearly 40,000 registered athletes who train and compete in year-round programs in 20 different sports.

Supporting Emotional Wellbeing in Children and Youth
The National Academies of Medicine offers resources and tools for children, teens, and parents to support emotional wellbeing and help individuals cope with challenges.

TEACCH Autism Program
The University of North Carolina TEACCH Autism Program is a university-based system of community regional centers that offers a set of core services along with unique demonstration programs meeting the clinical, training, and research needs of individuals with autism spectrum disorder, their families, and professionals across the state of North Carolina.

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