First Signs
Yesterday I wrote about the American Academy of Pediatrics and their new reports that suggest pediatricians should, and need to, screen children for autism before the age of two. I also mentioned that Autism Speaks had teamed up with First Signs and First Words Project to bring us a great new tool, as parents, to evaluate our children.
So, what exactly is First Signs? Its a “national non-profit organization dedicated to educating parents and pediatric professionals about the early warning signs of autism and other developmental disorders”. Basically, they want to improve screening and referral practices in order to lower the age of autism diagnosis.
First Signs has also focused heavily on doctors, nurses, PA’s early childhood educators, childcare providers, family service providers, and parents in order to bring the best services to children. They have created statewide programs that can be tailored to budgets, population size, ethnicity, and services.
But what does First Signs really do for us, as parents? In my opinion, they help us to monitor our children’s development.
The word “develop” means “to expand or realize the potentialities of; bring to a fuller, greater, or better state.” For a young child, every moment with a loving and engaged caregiver provides an opportunity for healthy development. For a parent, every day brings new “first footsteps,” moments to engage and observe a child’s ever-expanding potential.
Does your child reach these milestones?
Does your child exhibit these red flags? Does your child have any of these developmental disorders?
First Signs helps with this. They also help with moving forward after a diagnosis.
They aid parents with Early Intervention, specialists, insurance, the local school district, more diagnostic testing, and what to do next.
Word Press, Technorati, First Signs, Autism, development, delays, families, Tags
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