As North Carolina's University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service, we are dedicated to improving the lives of children and young adults who have a broad range of learning differences, behavioral concerns, and developmental disabilities.

We offer a wide selection of exemplary clinical evaluation services, with particular expertise in working with children whose previous evaluations and services may not have sufficiently enhanced their learning and development. See a list of our current clinics.

Our evaluation services may include appointments with individual clinicians, select teams of two or three clinicians, or a full interdisciplinary team representing four or more of the following ten professional disciplines; Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics, Nursing, Psychology, Speech-Language Pathology, Physical Therapy, Education, Audiology, and Social Work.

If you are interested in pursuing our evaluation services, click here to begin the appointment process.

Make an Appointment »

Is your family interested in participating in research related to developmental disabilities? The Carolina Institute offers several programs that give families the opportunity to find out about research -- there's no obligation and it's completely private.

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Information and Resources

Autism Society of North Carolina (ASNC)
Free legal services for families/students with disabilities
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. Please visit their website at:

Alternative Augmentative Communication
When a child has significant physical, sensory and/or cognitive disabilities, and lacks speech, it is often difficult for parents and educators to imagine that communication is even possible. Yet, all children can learn to communicate. We will never truly know what children without speech are truly capable of unless we offer them the chance to try Alternative Augmentative Communication (AAC). AAC Resource Materials

CIDD Newsletters