Georgina Peacock, NCBDDD/CDC 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
This is Maria Abinader, also from New Jersey This is Maria Abinader, also from New Jersey. Maria is the mother of a child with autism who has become a champion for early identification. She uses the materials developed in our Learn the Signs Act Early campaign to increase parental and provider knowledge in her community. Across the country, there are hundreds of other Marias, champions who work in their communities to reach parents and health care providers.
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. 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. 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
Target Audiences Parents of children under 4 yrs Early Educators Health care providers
Traditional Health Communication materials
Your Child’s Early Development is a Journey English and Spanish versions Downloadable from the website Customization available with local contact information
Milestones Moments Booklet Based on Bright Futures schedule Milestones from 2 months -5 years Parenting Tips Developmental Health Watch information
Autism Case Training: A Developmental-Behavioral case based curriculum
Act Early Initiative Model of Collaboration for Systems Change Improving system collaboration by bringing together key stakeholders in early identification of children with ASD and other developmental disabilities
Act Early Summits Bringing together key stakeholders in states to improve awareness and early identification Summits completed in HHS regions 2007-2010
Act Early Initiative
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
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
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
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
Thank you! www.cdc.gov/actearly ActEarly@cdc.gov gpeacock@cdc.gov