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UF Health University of Florida
Center for Autism & Neurodevelopment - Gainesville Department of Psychiatry in the College of Medicine
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Frequently Asked Questions

UF Autism and Neurodevelopment

Answers to Common Questions

Dr. Zielinski sitting down at a table, talking with a patient.

Which center do I go to for care?

At the University of Florida, we offer two specialized centers to support individuals with autism and related neurodevelopmental conditions. Use the guide below to find the right services for you or your loved one.

Need a Diagnosis or Medical Care?

–Comprehensive evaluation
–Medical or psychiatric treatment
–Multidisciplinary clinical services

Visit UF Health CAN

Already Have a Diagnosis and Need Support or Resources?

–School and community support
–Family training and consultation
–Free services and outreach

Visit Florida CARD
Locations Guide to CARD and CAN

What is a patient navigator?

The patient navigator will be the first person you interact with when starting to receive services at CAN. You can think of them as your GPS for the autism world.

Services include:

  • managing patient referrals and evaluations
  • coordinating care
  • providing patient resources
Learn More About Patient Navigation

Is there a link between autism and vaccines?

Extensive scientific research consistently demonstrates no link between vaccines and autism1,2,3. Concerns initially arose in the late 1990’s from a now-retracted and discredited study, but numerous large-scale studies conducted since then have found no evidence of a causal relationship1. Vaccines are rigorously tested for safety and are one of the most effective tools to prevent serious infectious diseases. If you have concerns about vaccines that are specific to you/ your child’s individual condition, it’s important to discuss them with your doctor to receive personalized guidance and accurate information4. Protecting public health through vaccination remains a critical priority, and reliable information is readily available from trusted medical sources1,4,5.

1 Vaccines, Thimerosal and Autism Spectrum Disorder, evidence review 2010-2025 – World Health Organization

2 Safety of vaccines used for routine immunization in the United States: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis – PubMed

3 Vaccines for measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella in children – PubMed

4 Fact checked: Vaccines: Safe and effective, no link to autism – American Academy of Pediatrics

5 Autism and vaccines – Autism Science Foundation