About 1 in 6 (17%) children aged 3–17 years were diagnosed with a developmental disability, such as, autism, blindness, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, as reported by parents, during a study period of 2009-2017 (Zablotsky et al., 2019).  

Many children with developmental disabilities are not identified until after entering school. Early intervention (before school age) can have a significant impact on a child’s ability to learn new skills as well as reduce the need for costly intervention over time.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early” is a program that aims to improve the early identification of children with autism and other developmental disabilities. “Learn the Signs. Act Early” is a health education campaign that promotes awareness of the following: healthy developmental milestones in early childhood; the importance of tracking each child’s development; and the importance of acting early if there are concerns.

These data are current as of year end 2021.  It is anticipated that data will be updated annually with the next update being by the end of 2nd Quarter of 2023.

Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs Program - staff

CDC Act Early Ambassador- distribute Learn the Signs Act Early materials

CT Medical Home Initiative - staff

CT Children's Medical Center

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Chapter Champion

CT Family Support Network

Child Health and Development Institute

Child Development Infoline

University of CT Center for Excellent in Developmental Disabilities Act Early Activities

Office of Early Childhood

PATH (Parents Available to Health) Family to Family

Autism Services Resources CT (ASRC)

The Center of Excellence on Autism Spectrum Disorder at Southern CT State University

The Connections Program at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital

The Center for Disease Control "Learn the Signs. Act Early" program helps to raise awareness of developmental milestones for families and encourages providers to act early (screen, evaluate, and link to early intervention service) if there is a concern.

An analyses of survey results by Daniel et al. (2009) showed that three years after campaign launch, more parents strongly agreed that they look for developmental milestones their child should be reaching (66% in 2007 vs. 51% in 2004)

Pediatricians aware of the campaign were significantly more confident discussing cognitive development (84% vs. 74%) with parents of their patients. In addition, pediatricians familiar with the campaign were more likely to be aware of resources available for referral and treatment (87% vs. 70%) and to have resources to educate parents than physicians who had not heard of the campaign (59% vs. 44%).

"Learn the signs. Act early.": a campaign to help every child reach his or her full potential.
Daniel KL, Prue C, Taylor MK, Thomas J, Scales M. Public Health. 2009 Sep;123 Suppl 1:e11-6.

Zablotsky B, Black LI, Maenner MJ, Schieve LA, Danielson ML, Bitsko RH, Blumberg SJ, Kogan MD, Boyle CA. Prevalence and Trends of Developmental Disabilities among Children in the US: 2009–2017. Pediatrics. 2019; 144(4):e20190811

CT DPH and the UCEDD share partnership to promote the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC’s) “Learn the Signs. Act Early” campaign.  The program aims to improve early identification of children with developmental disabilities including autism to raise awareness of the importance of screening and early identification through the distribution of materials for parents and professionals working with young children. "Learn the Signs. Act Early” materials are part of activities that strengthen stakeholders awareness of early signs of child development ; knowledge about and access to evidenced-based, individualized and timely screening; diagnostic assessment and interventions implemented by a competent workforce; engage family support and training organizations to provide information and education on child development; work with the AAP, pediatric primary and family care providers, and the CT Medical Home Initiative for CYSHCN (CMHI) staff to expand the number of practices providing family- centered, comprehensive, coordinated health care and related services including screening, linkage to diagnosis, and transition to evidence-based interventions.