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Tracy Hampton, PhD

JAMA. 2005;293:1966.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 119 words of the full text and any section headings.

A collaborative effort by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other national organizations is under way to encourage parents to measure their children’s social and emotional progress in the first few years of life.

The public awareness campaign stresses the importance of paying attention to developmental milestones (such as turning the head when the child’s name is called, responding when told "no," and beginning make-believe play) that a child should reach by specific ages. Early recognition of developmental disabilities such as autism is important so that early treatments can be given if necessary.

Resources from the CDC’s "Learn the Signs. Act Early" campaign are available by telephone (1-800-CDC-INFO) or online (http://www.cdc.gov/actearly).