Early Childhood Developmental Milestones

Tuesday, March 1, 2005

= j - 7 th 2s -E- De 7 OF le he — atSS aa q+ iP = 9 y = VP &= j = ~ —\ ~ Ve oy SSeS — rw Early Childhood Developmental Milestones (NAPSA)—During their child’s early years, most parents are keenly aware of changes in physical development, such as height and weight. But there are also important milestones children should reach in terms of how they play, learn, speak and act. Smiling for the first time, making eye contact, and pointing are a few of these developmental milestones. Parents need to know about developmental milestones—they 4 ears for para ho = eh wee {a1 centen henceS five mor" int10 one whet games are an important way to track a child’s overall development. Also, the earlier a child with a developmental delay receives help, the better chance the child has to achievehis or her full potential. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in collabora- tion with a coalition of national partners, recently launched a public awareness campaign, “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” The campaign is designed to educate parents about childhood development, including early warning signs of autism and other developmental disorders and promote early action among par- ents and health care professionals. “By recognizing the signs of developmental disorders early, parents can seek effective treatments that can improve their child’s future,” said CDC Director Dr. Julie L. Gerberding. As of now, about half of children with developmental disorders are not diagnosed until school age. Manysigns of delay can be easy to see. For example, a two-year-old should be ableto: Point to an object when asked Use two- to four-word sentences Follow simple instructions. Every child is different and develops at his or her own pace, Abouthalf of children with devel- opmental disorders are not diagnosed until school age. but most children reach major milestones within a certain range of time. Parents should learn the milestones, but recognize that their child might develop some skills earlier and some later than other children of the sameage. If parents suspect a delay, the first step is to consult the child’s doctor or health care professional. Sometimes a parent’s concern might be resolved by the passage of time, but in many cases taking a “wait-and-see” approach could delay opportunities to take helpful action. If, after talking with a health care professional, parents still have concerns, they can seek a second opinion. They could ask a pediatrician specializing in child development or another qualified professional. Parents may also contact an early intervention agency or public school. How To Find Out More Parents and health care professionals can receive free materials, available in English and Spanish, as well as other resources and referral information by calling 1800-CDC-INFO orvisiting www. cde.gov/ActEarly.

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