02/23/2022
The CDC did not seek input from Speech Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists or other medical professionals when outlining their new developmental milestones. They have set the bar significantly below where it should be. I want your child to be producing HUNREDS of words by the time they are 2.5 years old, not only 45 words! Please spread the word and reach out if you have concerns regarding the speech and language needs of your child, grandchild, niece, nephew, child on your school bus run, neighbor, etc. We would love to help children find their voice!
Dear ASHA Members:
ASHA is in the process of analyzing the recent revisions to the developmental milestones used in the CDC’s Learn the Signs. Act Early. initiative. This process includes a comprehensive comparison of the previous vs. new guidelines, as well as a comparison to ASHA-specified milestones. ASHA is also conducting an extensive review of published scientific literature.
ASHA has reached out to CDC, expressing its concern about inconsistencies and urging the agency to utilize the expertise of SLPs when making changes to developmental milestones in speech, language, feeding, and social communication. In general, ASHA is supportive of efforts to help identify children earlier, but the milestones presented to parents must be evidence-based in order for families to make well-informed decisions about their children's care.
ASHA will provide members with an update once its review process is completed and correlating action steps are determined.
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
https://on.asha.org/342WAaL
