CDC Developmental Surveillance Milestone Checklists
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently released the updated “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” Developmental Surveillance Milestones Checklists. Common questions and answers regarding this change are included here. References Zubler, J. M., Wiggins, L. D., Macias, M. M., Whitaker, T. M., Shaw, J. S., Squires, J. K., ... Lipkin, P. H. (2022). Evidence-informed milestones for developmental surveillance tools. Pediatrics, 149(3): e2021052138. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2021-052138.
- What are the Developmental Surveillance Milestone Checklists? Are they a screening tool or evaluation tool?
- How were the CDC Developmental Surveillance Milestone Checklists developed?
- Did the timeframe that a child is supposed to achieve certain milestones change?
- How are the 2022 CDC Developmental Surveillance Milestone Checklists different from the ones developed in 2004?
- Will the revised checklists be used to determine a child’s eligibility into programs such as early intervention?
- Some milestones, like crawling, were not included in the CDC Developmental Surveillance Milestone Checklists. Does this mean they are no longer considered milestones?
- Should we advocate for occupational therapy practitioners to be involved in projects such as surveillance checklist revisions?
- Besides through pediatricians, how else do infants and young children get referred for occupational therapy services?
- How can occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) use the “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” tools in practice?
- What is the role of occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants in surveillance and screening?
- How can occupational therapy practitioners use AOTA’s Occupational Profile Template as an early identification strategy?