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Interactive Tools to Track Child Development

Do you know all the ways you should measure your child's growth? We naturally think of height and weight, but from birth to 5 years, your child should reach milestones in how he plays, learns, speaks and acts. A delay in any of these areas could be a sign of a developmental problem, even autism. The good news is, the earlier it's recognized the more you can do to help your child reach her full potential.

First, test your milestone-spotting skills!

Knowing what to look for is a key to knowing if your child is developing well. Try our new Milestones Quiz to see if you can spot some important developmental milestones. Need to sharpen your skills? Visit our developmental milestones page.

Next, watch for and record your child's milestones

CDC's "Learn the Signs. Act Early." Interactive Milestones Checklist is a great way to record the milestones your child is reaching to share with your child's doctor or nurse at the next checkup.

To try out this tool:

Go to the Interactive Milestones Checklist.
Select the age of your child and click "Go."
Type in your child's name, age, and today's date.
Check off the milestones your child has already achieved.
Click "Create Checklist."
Print and/or email this record.
Ask a relative, friend, or daycare provider to tell you what they see your child doing.
Print off a blank checklist or send it to them via email.

What Can I Do if I Suspect a Problem with My Child's Development?

Talk with your child's doctor. If you or your doctor think there could be a problem, ask for a referral to see a developmental pediatrician or other specialist, and contact your local early intervention agency (for children under 3) or public school (for children 3 and older) to find out if your child qualifies for intervention services. To find out who to speak to in your area, you can contact the National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities by logging on to www.nichcy.org or calling 1-800-695-0285. For more information about what to do if you are concerned about your child's development visit "If you're concerned…".

To help a child with a developmental problem reach his or her full potential, it's important to act early. So if you're concerned, don't wait. Acting early can make a real difference!