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Center for Disease Control and other resources on this page help in identifying the early signs of a developmental delay. In addition are categories of information on Healthy Development and Developmental Milestones, Working with Families, When Concerns Arise, Developmental Screening, Referral for Evaluation and Assessment and ongoing support through Community Resources/Support for Families. They provide a well rounded set of resources to support families and providers to “Act Early” to address concerns.
Early Identification
Center for Disease Control (CDC)
California Department of Developmental Services (DDS)
Heatlhy Development & Developmental Milestones
Working with Families
When Concerns Arise
Developmental Screening
Referral for Evaluation & Assessment
Community Resources/Support for Families

Early Identification

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Early Identification Guide (PDF)
The Early Identification Guide provides a simple graphic and summary describing the key elements of early identification and Developmental Screening. Spanish translation: Identificación Temprana (PDF)
Translations: Spanish
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Road Map for Helping Your Child Grow (PDF)
The Road Map for Helping Your Child Grow is a tool that service providers can give to families to document the summary results of an ASQ Screening, along with next…
Translations: Spanish

Center for Disease Control (CDC)

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CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics Update Developmental Milestones
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the AAP have revised developmental milestones in the Learn the Signs. Act Early. program, which helps parents identify autism and developmental…
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Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Learn the Signs Act Early
From birth to 5 years, your child should reach milestones in how he plays, learns, speaks, acts and moves. Track your child’s development and act early if you have a…
Translations: Spanish
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Engaging Families in Healthy Development – Get your FREE Family Toolkit
Adapted from the trusted Ages & Stages Questionnaires (ASQ®) family of products, this toolkit of resources will help you engage families in nurturing their child’s developmental and social-emotional skills. Families…

California Department of Developmental Services (DDS)

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California Early Start Information Packet
This Early Start Standardized Information Packet is for Children Aged 0-3 In California, early intervention services are offered by the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) through a program called Early…
Translations: Multiple languages
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Guide to California’s Regional Center Services System (PDF)
This information packet talks about how to get regional center services. It should be helpful for children ages 3 to adult.
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Parent Guide to Regional Center Services (PDF)
A wide variety of services are available to Californians with developmental disabilities in each stage of their lives. Services are person-centered and designed to meet a variety of unique needs…
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Regional Center Eligibility and Services
Summarizes eligibility by age group and includes links to additional information and FAQ’s on Provisional Eligibility in several languages
Translations: Multiple languages

Heatlhy Development & Developmental Milestones

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25 Questions Early Childhood Professionals Should Ask Families
Today’s families are increasingly complex and diverse—and as a professional working with young children, you’ll need to gather a solid foundation of information as you partner with their families. This…
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All About Young Children: Information for Families on Children’s Early Development
As a parent, you are your child’s first teacher. You have experienced how fascinating and how puzzling your young child can sometimes be. We invite you to explore with us…
Translations: Multiple languages
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Bringing the Signs of Early Autism into Focus Video Tutorial (Video)
The Kennedy Krieger Institute and Maryland Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) have published a free online video to improve the recognition of the early signs of autism…
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First Signs
First Signs is a national non-profit organization dedicated to educating parents and professionals about the early warning signs of autism and related disorders. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Video Glossary An…
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First Words Project
FIRST WORDS© Project is a longitudinal research investigation in the Florida State University Autism Institute in the College of Medicine directed by Dr. Amy Wetherby. Our major goal is to…
Translations: Multiple languages
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Milestone Tracker Mobile App
Milestones matter! Track your child’s milestones from age 2 months to 5 years with CDC’s easy-to-use illustrated checklists; get tips from CDC for encouraging your child’s development; and find out…
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Pathways.org
Pathways Awareness Foundation is a national non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about the benefit of early detection and early therapy for children with early motor delays. We strive to…
Translations: Multiple languages
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Public Broadcasting System (PBS) Parents: Child Development Tracker
Provides information and tips for ages 1 through age 8 on developmental stages and educational areas. Also provides supporting activities and books for each age.
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Will They Grow Out of It? Should I Be Concerned?
One of the challenges of parenting is knowing when it is time to get help for a child’s development, behavior and learning. When a child seems behind or something just…
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Zero to Three
Zero to Three is a national, nonprofit organization dedicated solely to advancing the healthy development of babies and young children. Zero to Three disseminates key developmental information, trains providers, promotes…

Working with Families

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Center for Appropriate Dispute Resolution in Special Education (CADRE)
The Center for Appropriate Dispute Resolution in Special Education (CADRE) works to increase the nation’s capacity to effectively resolve special education disputes, reducing the use of expensive adversarial processes. CADRE…
Translations: Spanish
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Center for Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (ECMHC)
The Center for Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (CECMHC) was funded as an Innovation and Improvement Project by the Office of Head Start in October 2008. The 3-year grant brings…
Translations: Spanish
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Family Engagement (MAP)
The MAP… Making Access Possible Project team has identified the following websites and resources that support family engagement and promote partnerships with families.
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Head Start
The Office of Head Start (OHS) promotes the school readiness of young children from low-income families through local programs. Head Start and Early Head Start programs support the mental, social,…
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Zero to Three
Zero to Three is a national, nonprofit organization dedicated solely to advancing the healthy development of babies and young children. Zero to Three disseminates key developmental information, trains providers, promotes…
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Zero to Three Sparks Video Series for Families on Child Development
As an early childhood provider, you may hear parents wondering how their child is learning and growing at different stages. The Sparks video series is a free resource for parents that blends…
Translations: Spanish

When Concerns Arise

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Head Start ECLKC: Disabilities Services Newsletters – When Concerns Arise
The Head Start Disabilities Services Newsletter is produced monthly by the National Center on Early Childhood Development, Teaching, and Learning (NCECDTL). It is dedicated to staff working with young children…
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HealthyChildren.org
Does My Child Have Physical Developmental Delays? Oct 2018 This publication from the National Center on Parent, Family and Community Engagement explores how understanding the cultural perspectives of families can…
Translations: Spanish
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If You’re Concerned
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides an overview for parents of what to do if they are concerned about their child’s development.
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Talking with Parents When You Have Concerns About a Child in Your Care
This PowerPoint™ and accompanying article is designed to provide a framework for caregivers (anyone providing child care or out-of-school care for children) when they have concerns that a child in…
Translations: Chinese & Spanish
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Reasons for Concern: That your child or a child in your care may need special help (PDF)
Revised: Oct 2020 This brochure is a collaborative effort between the Department of Developmental Services and the California Department of Education. The brochure is designed to facilitate finding and identifying…
Translations: Multiple languages

Developmental Screening

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American Academy of Pediatrics Early Childhood Screening
The Screening in Practices Initiative offers information and resources, including screening recommendations, practice tools, and individualized assistance, to help pediatric health care providers implement effective screening, referral, and follow-up for…
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Birth to 5: Help Me Thrive – Compendium of Screening Measures for Young Children
Compendium of Screening Measures for Young Children (PDF) The Compendium of Screening Measures for Young Children is a collection of research-based screening tools for children under the age of 5.…
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Brookes Publishing
For 27 years, Brookes has published highly respected resources in early childhood, early intervention, inclusive and special education, developmental disabilities, learning disabilities, communication and language, behavior, and mental health. Ages…
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Brookes Publishing
For 27 years, Brookes has published highly respected resources in early childhood, early intervention, inclusive and special education, developmental disabilities, learning disabilities, communication and language, behavior, and mental health. Ages…
Featured image for “Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Learn the Signs Act Early”
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Learn the Signs Act Early
From birth to 5 years, your child should reach milestones in how he plays, learns, speaks, acts and moves. Track your child’s development and act early if you have a…
Translations: Spanish
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Developmental and Behavioral Screening Guide for Early Care and Education Providers
Developmental and Behavioral Screening Guide for Early Care and Education Providers was developed by the California Statewide Screening Collaborative and funded by the California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) Early…
Featured image for “Early Identification Guide (PDF)”
Early Identification Guide (PDF)
The Early Identification Guide provides a simple graphic and summary describing the key elements of early identification and Developmental Screening. Spanish translation: Identificación Temprana (PDF)
Translations: Spanish
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First Signs
First Signs is a national non-profit organization dedicated to educating parents and professionals about the early warning signs of autism and related disorders. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Video Glossary An…
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MAP’s County Specific Resources
From this link click on your county and you’ll find contact information and links to websites for that have information, training and programs that may benefit a child with or…

Referral for Evaluation & Assessment

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California Early Start
California Early Start provides early intervention services for infants and toddlers from birth to age 3. This site describes the services, eligibility and how to make a referral.
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Early Childhood Information Sharing Tool Kit
The purpose of this Toolkit is to provide community providers with the information, tools, and resources to help families obtain developmental check-ups, receive additional services and referrals, track their child’s…
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Family Resource Center Network of California (FRCNCA)
The FRCNCA is a coalition of California’s 47 Early Start Family Resource Centers. Staffed by families of children with special needs, family resource centers offer parent-to-parent support and help parents,…
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Prevention Resource and Referral Services (PRRS)
Infants and toddlers who do not qualify for Early Start may qualify for PRRS provided by local Family Resource Centers. The Regional Center determines if a child should be referred…

Community Resources/Support for Families

Featured image for “Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Learn the Signs Act Early”
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Learn the Signs Act Early
From birth to 5 years, your child should reach milestones in how he plays, learns, speaks, acts and moves. Track your child’s development and act early if you have a…
Translations: Spanish
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MAP’s County Specific Resources
From this link click on your county and you’ll find contact information and links to websites for that have information, training and programs that may benefit a child with or…