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cdc.gov

Learn the Signs. Act Early.

Also: LTSAE

“Learn the Signs. Act Early.”

CDC program, launched to health professionals in late 2004 and to parents in 2005, that teaches parents to track developmental milestones from 2 months to 5 years and to act early on concerns, including autism. Provides free milestone checklists, a Milestone Tracker app and materials for providers and early educators.

Years
2004–now
Country
United States
Topic
Developmental disability
Asks people to
RecognizeSeek helpTalk to someone
Strategy
Self efficacySimple instruction
Channel
Clinical settingPrintSocial (organic)
Audience
CliniciansParents
Parents of children under 5, pediatric health care providers, early care and education providers.

Evidence

ProcessUnknown

Survey comparison reported by Daniel et al. (2009): parents strongly agreeing they look for developmental milestones rose from 51% (2004) to 66% (2007); pediatricians aware of the campaign were more confident discussing development. Not a behavioral outcome.

Sponsor (who paid)

Credits (who made it)

Executions (individual ads)

Sources

  1. About Learn the Signs. Act Early. (CDC) sponsor
  2. LTSAE overview slides, IACC meeting April 2011 (rollout timeline) sponsor · 2011
  3. Federal Register: Evaluation of Enhanced Implementation of the LTSAE Campaign in 4 Target Sites reference · 2011
  4. Patel K. The Impact of the 'Learn the Signs. Act Early.' Public Health Awareness Campaign on Early Intervention Behavior (thesis, Georgia State University) 2007 evaluation · 2007 · DOI 10.57709/1062229

Research notes

Taxonomy gap: 'child-development' (developmental disabilities/autism) is not a topic value yet. Daniel et al. 2009 cited from search summaries; locate the paper and add DOI/PMID. Meta Ad Library / Google Ads Transparency Center: search advertiser 'Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)' (Meta page 'CDC'). Credits checked 2026-10-22 against fetched pages: Porter Novelli (CommPRO, 2017 Bronze Anvil winner: 'Porter Novelli (PN) and the Learn the Signs team research and compiled compelling audience insight'); years not stated. Patel 2007 thesis added 2026-10-22 (openalex-deep queue; DOI checked on DataCite, which gives 2007, not OpenAlex's 2022; abstract read there): HealthStyles surveys before and two years after launch showed better autism awareness but minimal association between awareness and early intervention behaviour. Its abstract also says CDC partnered with Porter Novelli to develop the campaign. Evidence unchanged. Reuse terms checked 2026-10-23 by an AI research pass for #47; not yet reviewed by a person.

Record cases/cdc-learn-the-signs-act-early.json, updated 2026-10-23· Link to this campaign