MA Act Early News & UpdatesWelcome to Massachusetts Act Early
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. 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 Health Resources & Services Administration's (HRSA) Maternal & Child Health Bureau (MCHB). FREE virtual training opportunities currently available!
Please share this within your networks! Click here to access videos and slides or select "2020 Virtual conference" from the drop-down menu at the to of our page.
Upcoming Events 2021
Jan. 28th & 29th “Learn the Signs. Act Early”
Feb. 25th & 26th Early Childhood Developmental Monitoring, Screening, Referral and Milestones March 25th & 26th Motor and Cognitive Milestones for Children April 29th & 30th Social & Speech Milestones for Children May 27th & 28th Attachment and Complex Trauma Thank you for attending our Fall 2020 Conference!
Videos and slides from the November conference are now available under 'Events & Webinars' "Support for Early Childhood State Systems Through the Act Early Network to Support Recovery and Strengthen Resilience Skills, Behaviors, and Resources of Children, Families, and Communities"
9:00 – 10:00 a.m. The Effective Use of Telepractice to Deliver Special Education Services to Children with Autism: Logistics, Evidence-Based Practices, and the Impact of COVID-19. Presented by: Mary Andrianopoulos, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, and Myranda Marotta, MA 2022, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Department of Communication Disorders, Amherst, MA
10:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Telepractice and Tele-AAC: Instruction, Training, and the Impact of COVID-19. Presented by: Nerissa Hall, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, Co-founding partner, Commūnicāre, LLC., Easthampton, MA 1pm-2pm: Screening for Autism Spectrum Disorder in young children through Telepractice. Presented by: Roula Choueiri, MD Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Pediatrician, University of Massachusetts, Children’s Medical Center, Worcester, MA 2:15pm-3:30 pm: Impact of Racism on child development; how to develop resilience in young children and their families in current times and create a change. Presented by: Roula Choueiri, MD Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Pediatrician, University of Massachusetts, Children’s Medical Center, Worcester, MA Evaluation Method: Pre and Post Surveys, MA Act Early & CDC Facebook downloads 
New Research on Prevalence of Autism Identified 1 in 40 Affected
The study found that about 30% of these children were not receiving services at the time. 43% of the children with autism had received behavioral therapy, 7% of them were on medication, and 20% were receiving both methods of treatment. Click here to read the full published article. 
Exciting News!
The CDC Developmental Milestone is now translated in the following languages(click to open): English & Spanish Arabic Haitian Vietnamese Chinese (Traditional) Chinese (Simplified) 
Wearing a mask can be challenging for children in general and for children with ASD- See this social story and share your strategies on the MA Act Early Facebook Page
https://www.chconline.org/resourcelibrary/wearing-a-mask-social-story-for-individuals-on-the-autism-spectrum-downloadable/ The MA Act Early conference in Fall River has been postponed until Fall 2020. More to come on this... Please stay tuned “1, 2, 3, GROW!” Opens Doors for Parents to Multicultural Information on Early Childhood Development
Each “1, 2, 3, Grow!” show includes a local pediatrician and program host who speak the language of their cultural audience: English, Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin, Haitian Creole, Arabic, and Vietnamese, as well as a show that focuses on African-American needs. The shows present video examples of healthy development and signs of concerns, as well as interviews with parents of children with developmental disorders from diverse cultures. Viewers receive contact information to local resources to obtain translated materials and referral information to local providers if needed.
The three new “1, 2, 3, Grow! Animated Caregiver Stories” use audio from parent interviews and animate the stories for educational use in classroom or office settings. The short videos address the topics of cultural stigma and folk remedies, religious concerns, and the role of fathers as they relate to having a child with a disability. A 10-question companion discussion guide facilitates rich discussions when used with the caregiver stories or the full cable TV shows. We encourage early childhood professionals to use the Animated Caregiver Stories as a teaching tool as well as to ask their cable providers to request the free shows for local broadcast. For more information about “1, 2, 3, Grow!”, please visit https://shriver.umassmed.edu/community-resources/cultural-resources/1-2-3-grow. For information and resources from the CDC “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” campaign, please visit www.cdc.org/actearly. Thank you to everyone who participated in the April 2019 MA Act Early Summit in Haverhill!
Our presenters spoke about a variety of interesting topics. It was a very successful day of training, discussion, and networking! We would also like to thank Northern Essex Community College for hosting!
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Breakout Session Overviews:
Click here for overview of breakout session 1: "Having Difficult Conversations with Families" Click here for overview of breakout session 2: "Strategies to integrating the “Learn the Signs. Act Early” material into practice. Example of the WIC program in Missouri." Click here for overview of breakout session 3: "Identifying and accessing resources, developing local relationships and communicating with other agencies, organizations or stakeholders." |
Presentation Slides
Click here to download slides for presentation by Roula Choueiri, MD:
"Overview and Introduction to the “Learn The Signs. Act Early Material” (LTSAE). Importance of early detection and screening."
Click here to download slides for presentation by Mary Andrianopoulos, Ph.D:
"Early Signs of ASD and Research Updates: what we do know in 2017?"
Click here to download slides for BREAKOUT SESSION 1 by Sarah Oh Neville, MD:
"Sharing difficult conversations with families"
Improving Early Identification of Autism in Worcester
Over the last two years, we have set up training on a new level-2 autism screening test, the RITA-T ( Rapid Interactive screening Test for Autism in Toddlers) as well as training on the LTSAE material. We partnered with the THOM Early Intervention program in Worcester, the largest program in Worcester that is a heavily culturally diverse and underserved area. Our efforts coincided with the institution of universal screening in their program led by Chantal Roger-Haig, LMHC and Jeanine Mindrum, SLP. We created a two level screening system for ASD integrating the MCHAT-R, the RITA-T and the LTSAE.
Over two years we have identified and evaluated 160 toddlers within a wait time of 4 weeks in average. Referrals to one ABA provider in the area doubled and the age at referral for ABA is starting to show a decrease from 30 months at referral in 2015 to 28 months at referral in 2017.
We continue this project and are starting to generalize it to other programs, clinics and early childhood providers. Please check us out and follow our news as we develop more trainings in underserved geographical areas in MA, reach further providers, and improve early recognition. We will be writing up this system and it’s results!
Website: https://umassmed.edu/AutismRITA-T
Follow us on Facebook as well @ UMassMed Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics
Roula Choueiri, MD
Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Pediatrician
Chief, Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics
CDC Act Early Ambassador to MA
University of Massachusetts Medical School
Worcester, MA
We are thrilled to share that the MA Act Early Team is launching their
“1, 2, 3, Grow!” show May 2nd!
Our multicultural cable TV series that will provide equal access for families to information about healthy development in young children as well as what to do and where to go when concerned will launch today, May 2nd. “1, 2, 3, Grow!” is available in 8 languages and cultures airing on cable stations across Massachusetts this summer.
Each of the 8 shows include a local pediatrician and program host from the same culture who speak the language of their particular audience: English, Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin, Haitian Creole, Arabic, and Vietnamese, as well as a show that focuses on African-American needs. The shows present CDC Milestones in Action video examples of healthy development and signs of concerns, as well as original interviews with parents of children with developmental disorders from diverse cultures. At the end of each show, viewers will receive contact information to the local resource Family TIES of Massachusetts where a family specialist can help them obtain translated materials and referral information to local providers if needed.
How to Watch?
For more information about “1, 2, 3, Grow!” and to check back for show dates as more providers are added to the list, please visit https://shriver.umassmed.edu/community-resources/cultural-resources/1-2-3-grow.
For information and resources from the CDC “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” campaign, please visit www.cdc.org/actearly.
Each of the 8 shows include a local pediatrician and program host from the same culture who speak the language of their particular audience: English, Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin, Haitian Creole, Arabic, and Vietnamese, as well as a show that focuses on African-American needs. The shows present CDC Milestones in Action video examples of healthy development and signs of concerns, as well as original interviews with parents of children with developmental disorders from diverse cultures. At the end of each show, viewers will receive contact information to the local resource Family TIES of Massachusetts where a family specialist can help them obtain translated materials and referral information to local providers if needed.
How to Watch?
- Within the city of Boston, the “1, 2, 3, Grow!” shows are scheduled to be aired on Boston Neighborhood Network Television (BNN-TV) every Wednesday night at 7:30 pm from May 2 through August 15, 2018 with reruns in between.
- For cable stations across the rest of the state, we shared the attached “cut & paste” request template for our contacts to ask their local provider to air the shows. Providers in turn can request free, downloadable cable-ready versions of for local broadcast by contacting either Elaine.Gabovitch@umassmed.edu or Joan.Rafferty@state.ma.us.
- To view the shows online, all 8 shows are also available on the 1, 2, 3, Grow! YouTube Channel.
For more information about “1, 2, 3, Grow!” and to check back for show dates as more providers are added to the list, please visit https://shriver.umassmed.edu/community-resources/cultural-resources/1-2-3-grow.
For information and resources from the CDC “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” campaign, please visit www.cdc.org/actearly.
Massachusetts Healthy People 2020 Autism Roadmap Report
Download Full Report
The Massachusetts Healthy People 2020 Autism Roadmap Report shares needs assessment findings to assist the Massachusetts Autism Commission in developing a blueprint for better data collection across the system of care that serves children and youth with autism spectrum and other developmental disabilities and their families in Massachusetts. The report provides potential sources of and recommendations for both public and private data collection within the state that can be considered by the Commission and its subcommittees and built upon and monitored by appropriate stakeholder entities. It also offers future possibilities that may need more development and surveillance and resources that may help. This information may also be useful for a variety of audiences – from research to public health to education to family advocacy groups and more.
The report's objectives:
The report's objectives:
- Assess and quantify baseline data for the state needs of children and youth with autism and developmental disabilities aligned with six MCHB core outcome indicators;
- Make recommendations to address needs identified from the needs assessment; and
- Offer comprehensive and strategic surveillance recommendations to monitor and report on future state autism/DD activities and outcomes.
- Early Identification and Screening
- Medical Home
- Accessible Community-based Service System
- Family Involvement
- Transition to Adult Health Care, Work & Independence
- Adequate Private &/or Public Insurance to Pay for Services
Now Available!
Considering Culture in Autism Screening Curriculum
Screening for ASD in families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds can be challenging not only due to language differences, but also because of differing cultural expectations about child development and understanding of ASD and its treatment. The Considering Culture in Autism (CCiA) Screening Curriculum includes two case-based presentation modules, a facilitator guide, curriculum handouts, and video interviews with families from 4 cultures.
Learning objectives include:
Visit Materials & Resources to download CCiA materials.
Learning objectives include:
- Identify the steps for eliciting concerns and conducting developmental surveillance and screening with CLD families.
- Know how to discuss the outcomes of developmental and/or autism screening with CLD families.
- Understand cultural and linguistic considerations when discussing developmental delays and autism with CLD families.
Visit Materials & Resources to download CCiA materials.
Archived Version Now Available!
Developmental Screening in Massachusetts:
An Alliance between Early Childhood Programs and Pediatricians
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This 40-minute archived training webinar will inform Massachusetts pediatric providers about the importance of developmental screening for all young children and the need for referral to developmental specialists for further evaluation and intervention of those young children at risk for developmental delays and disorders. Using a case study and supplementary materials, the webinar will describe how the state’s Coordinated Family and Community Engagement programs (CFCEs) are using the Ages & Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3) and the Social Emotional (ASQ:SE) screening tools to monitor development in young children in community settings by partnering with parents and families. Participants will learn about other Massachusetts CBHI-approved screening tools that they can use as complementary measures in their practices. The training webinar will describe the central role that CFCEs play for parents and families in Massachusetts as a hub for referral resources and services and as community/screening partners for healthcare providers.
Visit Events and Webinars to watch the training video. |
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FREE Watch Me! Curriculum Available for Early Childhood Educators!
As an early care and education provider, you play a critical role in the health and wellbeing of children. You are also very well positioned to help identify children who might need extra help in their development. This FREE, online training course, Watch Me! Celebrating Milestones and Sharing Concerns, helps you fulfill this role by providing tools and best practices for monitoring the development of children in your care and talking about it with their parents.
In this 1-hour, 4-module course, you will learn:
- Why monitoring children’s development is important
- Why you have a unique and important role in developmental monitoring
- How to easily monitor each child’s developmental milestones
- How to talk with parents about their child’s development
Continuing Education (CE) credit is available.
Have you heard of "Birth to Five: Watch Me Thrive"?
Recognizing the importance of early identification and screening, Birth to 5: Watch Me Thrive! is a coordinated interagency effort to encourage developmental and behavioral screening and support for children, families, and the providers who care for them. Birth to 5: Watch Me Thrive! was launched on March 27, 2014 with a release of a compendium of research-based screening tools, "User's Guides" for multiple audiences, an electronic package of resources for follow-up and support, and a Screening Passport for Families for keeping track of screenings, results, and follow up steps, as well as coordinate information with multiple providers to support interventions and services.
Our State Ambassador
Kate Barlow, OTD
American International College
Learn more about her right here!
Team Leader
Roula Choueiri, MD
UMass Memorial Medical Center
Kate Barlow, OTD
American International College
Learn more about her right here!
Team Leader
Roula Choueiri, MD
UMass Memorial Medical Center
Download free Massachusetts
"Learn the Signs. Act Early." materials
"Learn the Signs. Act Early." materials
The Massachusetts Act Early campaign is happy to announce that we now have Massachusetts versions of key CDC "Learn the Signs. Act Early." brochures and booklets. The materials are customized with contact information for families in need of assistance from either:
Please click here to access these helpful materials.
The Massachusetts Act Early campaign is happy to announce that we now have Massachusetts versions of key CDC "Learn the Signs. Act Early." brochures and booklets. The materials are customized with contact information for families in need of assistance from either:
- Family TIES of Massachusetts,
- MA Department of Early Education and Care, or
- MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Please click here to access these helpful materials.