Learn the Signs. Act Early.
A Public Health Response to
Improving Early Identification
Georgina Peacock, NCBDDD/CDC
AAIDD
June 8, 2011
National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities
Division of Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Prevention Research Branch
Learn the Signs. Act Early.
www.cdc.gov/actearly
Roxane: A champion for families
• Experienced Parent program
• Child had developmental
problems “early on” and doctor
referred to the local early
intervention program
• Roxane described milestones
and the importance of early
intervention and the early
signs to watch for
• Further suspicions of autism
• Roxane helped guide family to
to an autism clinic
• Thriving in early intervention
“Words will never be able to express how thankful I am for
her teaching me early development and being my trusted friend.“
-Vicki
Learn the Signs. Act Early.
www.cdc.gov/actearly
Learn the Signs. Act Early.
Why this campaign?




In the United States, about 1 in 110
children has an autism spectrum disorder1
About 1 in 8 children aged 3-17 has a
developmental disability2
Many children with intellectual and
developmental disabilities are not
identified until after entering school
Early intervention can have a significant
impact on a child’s ability to learn new
skills and providing needed support to
families
1 Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders. MMWR. December 18, 2009 / 58(SS10);1-20..
.
2 Ibid.
Learn the Signs. Act Early.
www.cdc.gov/actearly
Learn the Signs. Act Early.
Campaign Goals
• Increase awareness of
developmental
milestones among
parents of young children
• Increase dialogue
among parents and
providers about child
development and early
signs of delay
• Spur early action on
developmental concerns
Learn the Signs. Act Early.
www.cdc.gov/actearly
Target Audiences
 Parents of children under 4 yrs
 Early Educators
 Health care providers
Learn the Signs. Act Early.
www.cdc.gov/actearly
Traditional Health Communication materials
Learn the Signs. Act Early.
www.cdc.gov/actearly
Your Child’s Early Development is a Journey
English and Spanish versions
Downloadable from the website
Customization available with local contact information
Learn the Signs. Act Early.
www.cdc.gov/actearly
Milestones Moments Booklet
Based on Bright Futures schedule
Milestones from 2 months -5 years
Parenting Tips
Developmental Health Watch information
Learn the Signs. Act Early.
www.cdc.gov/actearly
Autism Case Training: A
Developmental-Behavioral case
based curriculum
Learn the Signs. Act Early.
www.cdc.gov/actearly
Act Early Initiative
Model of Collaboration for Systems Change
CDC
AMCHP
AUCD
HRSA
Improving system collaboration by bringing together
key stakeholders in early identification of children with
ASD and other developmental disabilities
Learn the Signs. Act Early.
www.cdc.gov/actearly
Act Early Summits
• Bringing together key stakeholders in
states to improve awareness and early
identification
Summits completed in HHS regions 2007-2010
Learn the Signs. Act Early.
www.cdc.gov/actearly
Act Early Initiative
Learn the Signs. Act Early.
www.cdc.gov/actearly
Act Early Initiative Components
• AUCD and AMCHP grants
• On-going technical assistance for Act
Early teams
• AUCD Research Topics of Interest
• Act Early AUCD-NCBDDD Fellowship
Learn the Signs. Act Early.
www.cdc.gov/actearly
Collaboration between federal
agencies
• HRSA/MCHB Autism Working Group
– Act Early summits
– State demonstration projects
– MCHB Developmental Behavioral Pediatric
Fellowships programs authors in ACT
curriculum
– Supplement to MCHB CAAI State
Demonstration projects
– Act Early Ambassadors
Learn the Signs. Act Early.
www.cdc.gov/actearly
Future Directions
• Additional Act Early funding through
AMCHP in fall 2011
• Evaluation tool for Act Early teams to
measure progress in development
• Act Early Ambassadors
– One year pilot June 2011-June 2012
Learn the Signs. Act Early.
www.cdc.gov/actearly
Act Early Ambassadors
1 year pilot project
• Training Programs: UCEDDs, LENDS,
MCH DB Peds Fellow
• Representing psychology, pediatrics,
special education, family members
• Work with or create Act Early teams
• Support awareness and education
Learn the Signs. Act Early.
www.cdc.gov/actearly
Thank you!
www.cdc.gov/actearly
ActEarly@cdc.gov
gpeacock@cdc.gov
For more information please contact Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention
1600 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30333
Telephone, 1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636)/TTY: 1-888-232-6348
E-mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov Web: www.cdc.gov
The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official
position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.