Learn More About Developmental Milestones and Early Intervention for Children Three and Under

By Abigail Rix, M.A., BCBA, LABA

[This column was published in the West Springfield Republican on January 30, 2025.]

The first few years of a child’s life bring great joy as loved ones watch them grow. This pivotal time in a child’s development may also bring anxiety when caregivers have concerns about their child’s development or question if their development is on track compared to same-aged children. While these anxieties can lead to feelings of isolation for those unsure where to seek help and support, there are many helpful resources available to ensure all families have access to the support they need to help their children thrive in their early years of development. 

• CDC’s Developmental Milestones: The CDC offers a digital checklist of developmental milestones by age on their website to help parents understand what skills most children in that age range have acquired. This checklist can also help parents identify skills to begin practicing with their child as they grow. The checklist is available both on the CDC website and as a free app through the Apple and Android app stores. This tool provides a general understanding of when children typically learn new skills. It is important to remember when using this checklist that all children acquire new skills and milestones at different rates. 
• Talk with your pediatrician: Your child’s pediatrician is a helpful resource to assist with screening for developmental delays and disabilities. It can be helpful to create a list of questions or concerns in advance of your child’s regular check-ups to ensure you address all areas of need during the visit. Your child’s pediatrician will support your family in learning more about the areas you have questions or concerns about. Pediatricians can also provide referrals to specialty providers based on your concerns and as needed. 
• Early Intervention: Developmental services are available free of cost to families of children ages birth to three in the state of Massachusetts. Families can submit referrals directly to early intervention agencies in the city/town where they live by contacting their local early intervention agency via phone or online. Referrals can also be submitted by doctors, childcare providers, and other service providers. Early intervention providers assess each child referred to their program in the areas of adaptive, social-emotional, motor, communication, and cognitive skills. If a child has a delay in any of these developmental areas based on the assessment, the child is eligible for early intervention services in the home or community settings for one year. You can identify the early intervention providers that serve your city/town and obtain information about services by visiting mass.gov/info-details/ei-program-contact-information.

If you are seeking additional information or have questions or concerns about your child’s development after reviewing the CDC’s Developmental Milestones, you can contact your pediatrician and local early intervention agency to access developmental screening tools. If these tools suggest your child will benefit from additional supports or services, your pediatrician and local early intervention provider can help you access education and tools that will offer ongoing support for your child’s learning and development. 


Abigail Rix, M.A., BCBA, LABA, is the Senior Program Director for the May Center for ABA Services and the May Center for Early Intervention in Western Massachusetts. She can be contacted at arix@mayinstitute.org.

About May Institute
May Institute is a nonprofit organization that is a national leader in the field of applied behavior analysis and evidence-based interventions, serving autistic individuals and individuals with other developmental disabilities, brain injury, neurobehavioral disorders, and other special needs. Founded 70 years ago, we provide a wide range of exceptional educational and rehabilitative services across the lifespan. May Institute operates five schools for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities. For more information, call 800.778.7601 or visit www.mayinstitute.org.