About Learn the Signs. Act Early.

CDC Supports Early Childhood Development

The Learn the Signs. Act Early. (LTSAE) program aims to improve early identification of developmental delays and disabilities, including autism, by facilitating family-engaged developmental monitoring and promoting developmental screening so children and their families can get the services and support they need at the earliest age possible.

LTSAE provides free, family-friendly, high-quality, and research-based resources to engage families and providers in monitoring children's developmental milestones from ages 2 months through 5 years. These resources can help families learn the signs of child development and encourage them to act early and get help for their child when they have questions or concerns.

LTSAE encourages families to monitor and celebrate milestones, share progress with their child’s doctor at every well-visit and with other care providers, and act early on any concerns. CDC’s milestone checklists include milestones most children (75% or more) are expected to reach by a given age.¹ This is intended to avoid a “wait and see” approach; any missed milestone or concern should prompt discussion or action.

Learn the Signs. Act Early.

Provides clear information for families on what to do when there is a developmental concern:

• Talk with the child's healthcare provider
• Ask about developmental screening
• Consider seeking support through early intervention or public schools

Early Development is Critical

The early months and years of a child’s life form the foundation for future health, development, and learning. Young children learn best through nurturing relationships with their families and primary caregivers. When developmental concerns are identified early, and children and families receive early intervention or other needed services, children have better outcomes.²

Developmental disabilities are common

Developmental disabilities are common and often not identified before school age.

• 1 in 6 children (3-17 years of age) have a developmental disability.³

• 1 in 31 (8-year-olds) are estimated to have autism.⁴

• Developmental disabilities are even more common among children from low-income households, with 1 in 5 children experiencing a developmental disability.³

Developmental monitoring is important

Children reach milestones in how they play, learn, speak, act, and move. Developmental monitoring looks at how a child grows and changes over time and whether they are meeting developmental milestones for their age. Families and providers who work with them can use a simple checklist, like those available in CDC's Milestone Tracker app to see how a child is developing. If a child is not meeting a milestone or if there are any other concerns, families should talk with their child's healthcare provider and ask about developmental screening.

Developmental monitoring complements screening to improve early identification

Ongoing developmental monitoring and developmental screening together help families, health care providers, schools, and communities identify children with developmental delays or disabilities as early as possible.