Geraldine Dawson, PhD
Why are there no ratings?
Duke Health Provider question
With each patient I see, I try to understand how they learn best and ways we can help them reach their full potential.
– Geraldine Dawson, PhD

Geraldine Dawson, PhD

Child and Family Clinical Psychologist

Duke Health Provider question
Call for an Appointment
919-668-0397
Where I See Patients
Duke Autism Clinic - Durham, NC
Location Details
With each patient I see, I try to understand how they learn best and ways we can help them reach their full potential.
– Geraldine Dawson, PhD

My Locations

About Me

I have been working in the field of autism and neurodevelopmental disorders for several decades. At the Duke Autism Clinic we see children, adolescents, and adults with autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders, such as a language disability or a delay in cognitive function. With each patient I see, I try to understand how they learn best and ways we can help them reach their full potential. I work directly with parents and coach them in strategies to use in their everyday interactions, such as promoting eye contact, social interaction, and language. Here at Duke, we offer parents the opportunity to obtain treatment for their children that addresses all of their needs, not just behavioral ones. People with autism may also struggle with sleep disorders, GI disorders, seizures, or allergies, so we have access to experts in a wide range of specialties and work as a team to develop a comprehensive program to treat the whole person.

Current Appointments and Affiliations
Languages I Speak
English

Call for an Appointment

919-668-0397

Training and Education

Residency
Clinical Internship/Postdoctoral Fellowship, University of California, Los Angeles
Education
PhD, Developmental and Child Clinical Psychology, University of Washington

Clinical Focus and Research

My Research Interests

I conduct research on the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder. I helped develop an intervention program for young children with autism from infancy through late preschool age called the Early Start Denver Model. I collaborate with other researchers to improve our understanding of the causes of autism and to develop more effective treatments. Our goal is to help each person with autism reach his or her fullest potential for a productive and meaningful life.

Publications and Grants

Insurance Accepted

Duke Health contracts with most major health insurance carriers and transplant networks, including the ones listed below.

    • Aetna Choice POS, Aetna Choice POS II
    • Aetna Elect Choice HMO, Aetna Open Access Elect Choice
    • Aetna Health Network Only, Aetna Health Network Option
    • Aetna HMO
    • Aetna Limited Benefit Insurance PPO
    • Aetna Managed Choice POS
    • Aetna Medicare Assure Plan (HMO D-SNP)
    • Aetna Medicare Eagle Plan (PPO)
    • Aetna Medicare Essential Plan (PPO)
    • Aetna Medicare Value Plan (HMO)
    • Aetna Open Access HMO, Open Access Aetna Select, Aetna Open Access Managed Choice
    • Aetna Open Choice PPO
    • Aetna PCP Coordinated POS Plan
    • Aetna Quality Point of Service (QPOS)
    • Aetna Select HMO
    • Aetna Traditional Choice
    • Aetna Voluntary Indemnity Group Plan
    • Aetna Whole Health – Duke WakeMed WKCC
    • Aetna/CVS Health
    • Ambetter of North Carolina
    • Blue Advantage
    • Blue Medicare (HMO, PPO)*
    • Blue Options (123, PPO, HSA)
    • Blue Select
    • NC State Employees Health Plan

    • *Duke HomeCare and Hospice does not participate in the plan.

    • Cigna Behavioral Health (*Limited eligibility)
    • Cigna Choice Plus
    • Cigna Connect Individual Family Plan
    • Cigna Open Access
    • Cigna Open Access Plus

    • *Please call Cigna Behavioral Heath to see if the provider is participating in your plan.

    • Duke Basic
    • Duke Select
    • Experience Health Medicare Advantage (HMO) Plan
  • Gateway Health Alliance
  • Healthgram
    • Humana Choice (PPO)
    • Humana Choice - Medicare Advantage (PPO)
    • Humana ChoiceCare - Medicare Advantage (PPO)
    • Humana Gold Choice - Medicare Advantage (PFFS)
    • Humana Gold Plus - Medicare Advantage (HMO)
    • Humana Medicare Advantage Group Plan - NC State Retirees
  • MedCost
    • First Medicare Direct
    • Medicare Part A
    • Medicare Part B
    • AmeriHealth Caritas North Carolina
    • Carolina Complete Health
    • Healthy Blue
    • NC Medicaid Direct
    • WellCare of North Carolina
    • TRICARE Prime
    • TRICARE Prime Remote
    • TRICARE Select
    • AARP Medicare Advantage Plan 2 (HMO-POS)
    • AARP Medicare Complete (HMO, PPO)*
    • AARP Medicare Complete Essential (HMO)*
    • All Savers Alternate Funding
    • All Savers Fully Insured
    • United Healthcare (HMO, PPO, POS)
    • United Healthcare Charter/Charter Balance/Charter Plus
    • United Healthcare Choice/Choice Plus
    • United Healthcare Core/Core Essential
    • United Healthcare Navigate/Navigate Plus/Navigate Balanced
    • United Healthcare Option PPO
    • United Healthcare Passport Connect Choice/Choice Plus
    • United Healthcare Passport Connect Options PPO
    • United Healthcare Select/Select Plus
    • United Healthcare Shared Services - Harvard Pilgrim/UHC Options PPO Network
    • United Medical Resources (UMR)

    • *Duke HomeCare and Hospice and mental health providers do not participate with the plan.

Before scheduling your appointment, we strongly recommend you contact your insurance company to verify that the Duke Health location or provider you plan to visit is included in your network. Your insurance company will also be able to inform you of any co-payments, co–insurances, or deductibles that will be your responsibility. If you proceed in scheduling an appointment and your health insurance benefits do not participate with Duke, your out of pocket liability may be higher. We will contact you regarding your coverage and patient liability. If you are uninsured, learn more about our financial assistance policy.

External Relationships

This faculty member (or a member of their immediate family) has reported outside activities with the companies or institutions listed below. This information has been reported to the health system leadership and, when appropriate, management plans are in place to address potential conflicts of interest.
  • Apple Inc.
  • CryoCell International
  • Guilford Publications
  • Nonverbal Learning Disabilities Project, Inc
  • Oxford University Press
  • Springer Publishing Company
  • Tris Pharma
  • UC Davis