Massachusetts Act Early aims to educate parents and professionals about healthy childhood development, early warning signs of autism and other developmental disorders, the importance of routine developmental screening, and timely early intervention whenever there is a concern. 

Whether you are a parent or a professional who works with young children and their families, our hope is that you will find helpful information at the MA Act Early website to promote healthy development in all children.  Please visit us often as we add new information to reflect our growing state campaign.  We hope to see you again soon!

Massachusetts Act Early is the state campaign for the national "Learn the Signs. Act Early." program run by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD), in collaboration with the Association of University Centers on Disability (AUCD).

May 7, 2012: The Massachusetts Act Early campaign has gotten a spiffy new makeover with a beautiful logo and web banner.  These images convey our abiding mission for all children to grow to their full developmental potential.  Our deep thanks to the ever-talented graphic designer Susan Sutherland Designs who brought heart and imagination to these stunning new images.  We hope you enjoy them!

The Massachusetts Act Early campaign is happy to announce that we now have our very own Massachusetts version of the CDC "Tracking Milestones" brochure.  The brochure is customized with contact information for families in need of assistance from either Family TIES of Massachusetts, the MA Department of Early Education and Care, or the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.  Please click here to download the Tracking Milestones brochure.

Stay tuned for more customized MA Act Early materials to come in the future! 

The CDC's Autism & Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network (ADDM) reported an increase in prevalence to 1 in 88 children having an autism spectrum disorder (up 23% since last report in 2009, 78% since 2000). The average age of diagnosis is age 4 (autism @ age 4, PDD-NOS @ 4.5 years, Asperger syndrome @ 6.3 years). 

For more information about the study, please read the CDC's Community Report at www.cdc.gov/autism.