Daily HealthBeat Tip - August 17, 2007

Learn the signs

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

In spotting autism, the missed milestones can make the difference. A child isn’t speaking when he should, or interacting with Mom and Dad, who have a feeling that their baby is somehow not on the schedule other kids are on.

It may not be easy to pick these things up – kids normally develop at different rates. But Catherine Rice at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it’s important for parents to look – and seek help if things don’t seem right.

CDC’s ``Learn the Signs. Act Early’’ campaign can guide parents. And Rice says getting a child help while very young can make a difference:

``We do know that early intervention can make a big difference in helping children learn the skills they need to interact more naturally and more in their typical environment.’’  (9 seconds)

Learn more at hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: August, 17 2007