Getting answers can take time, and for many families across Northern Nevada, that wait can be long and expensive.
At the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, the University Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment is working to change that by expanding access to no-cost autism evaluations for children and adolescents.
The program, known as UCAN, is focused on closing gaps in care by providing comprehensive assessments at no cost, helping families who might otherwise face delays or uncertainty about where to turn.
UCAN is the only provider in Northern Nevada offering fully multidisciplinary autism assessments, bringing together specialists to evaluate each child from multiple perspectives. That approach is designed to improve diagnostic accuracy and give families clear guidance on next steps, including therapy, educational accommodations, or additional support services.
Stephanie King, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, director of UCAN, said the impact goes beyond individual evaluations.
“By providing no-cost, multidisciplinary autism evaluations, UCAN removes barriers that often delay diagnosis, particularly for underserved families,” King said. “Contributions to UCAN do more than support individual evaluations; they help build a stronger, more responsive system of care.”
In addition to patient care, the center is helping build Nevada’s health care workforce. UCAN provides training for medical residents, fellows, graduate students, and community professionals, offering hands-on experience in autism assessment.
“Serving families in my community in this way has been more enriching than I can fully express,” King said. “I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to lead this team and work alongside such dedicated community providers.”
The center also works with schools, health care providers, and early intervention programs to improve how families navigate the system. Those partnerships are aimed at streamlining referrals and reducing delays so children can access services sooner.
As the region continues to grow, so does the demand for developmental care. UCAN is working to expand its reach, with a focus on early access and equitable services for families across Northern Nevada.
Community support plays a role in keeping those services available. On April 9, UNR Med will take part in Giving Day: The Wolf Pack Way, a university-wide effort to support programs like UCAN. Donations from the event will go toward expanding autism research, improving diagnostic and therapeutic services, and providing resources for families.
