Through
observation, screening, and sharing with parents, you can ensure each child's
healthy development," said Nancy D., the Pennsylvania First
Signs program is being launched in collaboration with the University of
Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Center for Autism and Development Disability
Research and Epidemiology and The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
Pennsylvania First Signs has professional society endorsements from the
Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Pennsylvania
Academy of Family Physicians and the Pennsylvania Society of Physician
Assistants.

Contact: 614-849-0500, x135, Alicia Leatherman
614-221-2885, Kathleen Murphy x16, Stephanie Tresso x15

glasses aba

"
First Signs is administered by the Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU)
with support from the Department of Public Welfare (DPW), the Pennsylvania
Center for Autism and Developmental Disability Research and Epidemiology
(CADDRE) and Community Care Behavioral Health Organization, Supporting Autism
and Families Everywhere (SAFE) and the Autism Society of America, Greater
Philadelphia Chapter. Other components of the program
include professional training, parent outreach and public education.New Resource for Parents, Child Care Providers and Policy Makers Now Available

COLUMBUS, Ohio, A leadership team of private and
public organizations this week unveiled developmental guidelines for Ohio's
youngest children, from birth to age three.org.

toddlers dyslexics

PA Launches Program to Educate Physicians About Early Warning Signs of Autism

HARRISBURG, Pa.
"There are 1,892 days from the time babies are born until they enter
school.

improved parenting

"We have many partners collaborating on First Signs to raise awareness
and educate healthcare providers and parents about early warning signs, and we
know from the work done by the year-long Autism Task Force that there is a
great need for this effort in the Commonwealth. More information is at build-ohio.

glasses deaf

"There are key milestones that are important to a child's healthy
learning, behavior, and development," Wiseman said."
The Pennsylvania First Signs program will provide:
-- Regional training sessions for healthcare professionals, the first
of which are scheduled for April 28 in Scranton, Lackawanna County ,
and Malvern, Chester County;
-- Hour-long Grand round training sessions at 20 major hospitals in
Pennsylvania;
-- Screening kits;
-- Continuing education credits for physicians, nurse practitioners,
physician assistants, clinicians and early childhood educators; and
-- Parent outreach and education. It is a remarkable, complex and far-reaching journey.
Build Ohio is an alliance of individuals and groups working in Ohio to
design and implement a comprehensive, integrated early care and education
system in Ohio for all children from birth to age five.

impaired barriers

"Early detection and diagnosis of autism and other developmental disorders
means that we get children into support services at a much younger age, and we
know that makes a big difference in their development," Secretary Richman
said.org.

disabilities hearing

"While each child
develops at a different rate, some differences may indicate a slight delay and
others, such as no gesturing by nine months or no words by 16 months, may be
cause for greater concern and alert parents and physicians to the need for an
immediate evaluation.
The launch of the multi-year program coincides with the announcement of a
national awareness campaign by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
and "Learn the Signs: Act Early," aimed at educating parents about healthy
developmental milestones and early warning signs of developmental disorders,
including autism .

CONTACT: Christina Novak, DPW, +1-717-787-4592; or Diane Davis, First
Signs, +1-508 -879-2309. The "birth announcement" was held
at COSI in Columbus and included remarks by Ohio First Lady Hope Taft.

barriers dyslexia

This category lists sites that provide information on educating young children with special needs.

toddlers preschoolers

The Guidelines are divided into the three distinct ages of infancy:
birth-eight months , six-18 months and 16-36 months and cover developmental
drivers in the various stages of infancy: security, exploration and identity.

parenting impaired

"Screening can be simple and takes no more than five minutes.

Autism is now the third most common childhood disorder in the country,
behind mental retardation and language impairment.
OCCRRA is a statewide membership association of child care resource and
referral agencies providing services to families, early childhood
professionals and communities throughout Ohio.

speech prescription

The educational model and training program was adapted from the national
non-profit organization First Signs, Inc."
Wiseman, the mother of a young daughter diagnosed with an autism spectrum
disorder, began First Signs six years ago when she learned from her own
experience that the early signs of developmental disorders were often missed
by parents and physicians.
This team partnered with Drs.

glasses pervasive

The Center is nationally- and
internationally -recognized for its work in the area of infant and toddler
care. Build Ohio is part of
the national Build Initiative.

childhood glasses

deaf individualized

Richman today announced that Pennsylvania is launching a program
this spring called First Signs to educate healthcare professionals, educators
and parents about the early warning signs of autism in young children.firstsigns. Who they spend
time with and how they are cared for affect who they will become.

achievement individualized

The goals of the initiative are to:
-- Increase knowledge and awareness of the early warning signs of
autism and other developmental disorders;
-- Improve frequency and quality of screening of young children from
birth through the early school years;
-- Facilitate timely referral of children to local early intervention
programs; and
-- Lower the age when children with autism and other developmental
disabilities are identified.

impaired autism

"The key is early detection. Ron Lally and Peter Mangione , co-directors
of WestEd's Center for Child and Family Studies in California to develop the
guidelines for Ohio's youngest citizens.

preschoolers individualized

Ohio Infant + Toddler Guidelines Unveiled

200.

autism disabilities

, Public Welfare Secretary
Estelle B. Wiseman, founder and president of First
Signs, Inc.
In addition to DPW, CCIU and First Signs, Inc.
Designed to assist parents, providers and policy makers, the Guidelines
include the following developmental domains and include best practices in the
areas of: health , emotional, social, motor, language/communication and
cognitive.

speech achievement

The guidelines also are linked to Ohio's Early Learning Content Standards, to
create a seamless path from birth to school.

pervasive autism

"
The Guidelines are available online at occrra.org or can be requested by
calling 1-877-547-6978 , ext.

caregivers dyslexia

"The Guidelines are seen as the critical first step to ensuring that all
children birth to three in Ohio have responsive, reciprocal and respectful
care, because early experiences last a lifetime," said Terrie Hare, Chief of
the Bureau of Child Care and Development at the Ohio Department of Job and
Family Services.

glasses toddlers

Ohio's
Infant and Toddler Guidelines will help parents, child care providers and
policy makers meet their responsibilities to the 150,000 babies born every
year in the state," said OCCRRA Executive Director Alicia Leatherman.

dyslexics hearing

parenting preschoolers

Autism affects as many as
one in 166 children (source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
Additional information about the First Signs program is available at
http://www.
Build Ohio, an organization focused on supporting early care and education
systems building, teamed up with the Ohio Department of Education , the Ohio
Department of Health, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and the
Ohio Child Care Resource and Referral Association (OCCRRA). "Babies are the nicest way to start people and these
Guidelines will help start their journey in the right direction.org.

prescription autism

Learn more at occrra.