In Northern Nevada, access to autism diagnosis remains a significant challenge. Families often face long wait times, high costs and uncertainty about where to turn. These barriers can prevent children from receiving early intervention services. 

At the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med), the University Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment (UCAN) is working to change that.  

UCAN is expanding access to comprehensive, no-cost autism assessments, helping address one of the most critical gaps in care: timely and equitable diagnosis. As the only provider in Northern Nevada offering fully multidisciplinary assessment services, UCAN is uniquely positioned to serve families who might otherwise go without answers. 

Stephanie King, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, director of UCAN, emphasized the broader impact of the center’s mission. “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.” 

UCAN’s approach brings together professionals from multiple specialties to evaluate each child from a holistic perspective. This collaborative model not only improves diagnostic accuracy but also ensures families receive clear guidance on next steps, whether that includes therapy, educational accommodations or additional support services. 

In addition to serving patients, UCAN plays a key role in strengthening Nevada’s health care workforce. The center provides interdisciplinary training opportunities for medical residents, fellows, graduate students and community professionals. By offering hands-on experience in autism assessment, UCAN helps prepare the next generation of providers to meet the state’s growing demand for services.

“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.” 

UCAN also works to improve how families navigate the system. Through partnerships with schools, health care providers and early intervention programs, the center helps streamline referral pathways and reduce delays in care. These collaborations create a more coordinated network, making it easier for families to access the services they need without unnecessary barriers. 

As Nevada’s population continues to grow, so does the demand for accessible developmental care. UCAN is focused on expanding its reach to ensure services grow alongside the community, with an emphasis on equity and early access. 

Support from the community is essential to maintaining and expanding UCAN’s impact. It can help ensure that families can continue to access no-cost, high-quality autism evaluations without delay, regardless of financial circumstances. By giving, supporters help both individual children and families and contribute to a stronger, more equitable system of care for all of Northern Nevada. 

Support UCAN on Giving Day: The Wolf Pack Way

On April 9, 2026, UNR Med will participate in Giving Day: The Wolf Pack Way, a university-wide fundraising event dedicated to supporting impactful initiatives. Donations made during Giving Day will directly support UCAN’s mission to enhance autism research, improve diagnostic and therapeutic services, and provide resources for families in Northern Nevada.   

Join us in making a difference by supporting UCAN on Giving Day!