Reshaping CDC’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” Resources for Improved Family Engagement and Identification of Potential Developmental Delay

Full Description: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC’s) Learn the Signs. Act Early. program (LTSAE) aims to improve early identification of children with autism and other developmental disabilities so children and families can get the support they need. The program works to encourage families and providers to “learn the signs” of healthy development, monitor every child’s early development, and “act early” when there is a concern.

Developmental delays and disabilities, including autism spectrum disorder, are common and many children are not identified until starting school, thereby missing potentially beneficial early interventions. LTSAE's free checklists and other tools make developmental monitoring practical and easy while encouraging family engagement and productive communication with health and education professionals. When developmental concerns are identified, families and providers are encouraged to “act early” by discussing concerns and initiating additional developmental screening.

The developmental milestones (how children play, learn, speak, act, or move) used in the program were initially adapted from a commonly-used pediatric resource. These parent-engaged monitoring (surveillance) materials support complementary standardized developmental screening.
LTSAE has evolved from its public health campaign roots, with ongoing review of the various components in health education, collaboration/partnership, and research/evaluation. This national program has been incorporated into many early childhood systems of care such as primary care, home visitor programs, and early childhood education.

A systematic effort to update LTSAE materials was taken to support equitable access to culturally relevant and easy to use developmental monitoring milestones and tools that support early identification, developmental promotion, and early relational health. The goals and process of updating this longstanding national program fit well with the AMCHP conference theme of "Reflecting on our Past, Shaping our Future." Continually reviewing the evolving needs of families’ and using appropriate resources to meet those needs support better child and family outcomes. Numerous past and present maternal and child health program collaborations (including those providing direct service to children, supporting communities, and training the future professional workforce) have used LTSAE resources with continued opportunities to benefit maternal and child populations. The proposed presentation will be delivered by a pediatrician and a developmental pediatrician who participated in the review process.

Attendees will learn:
• The criteria and approach taken to revise the LTSAE tools
• What new features have been added and why
• Recommendations for how to use resources with families to prompt important discussions between families and health and education providers
• How engaging families in developmental monitoring and promotion could improve health equity.

Abbreviated Description: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC’s) Learn the Signs. Act Early. program (LTSAE) aims to improve early identification of children with developmental disabilities so children and families can get the support they need. LTSAE has been incorporated into many early childhood systems of care such as primary care offices, home visitor programs, and early childhood education centers. A systematic effort to update LTSAE materials was taken to support equitable access to culturally relevant and easy to use developmental monitoring milestones and tools that support early identification, developmental promotion, and early relational health. Attendees will learn about new features, recommendations for use, and tips for engaging families in developmental monitoring and promotion.