It's important to act fast and get help when it's needed. There are services that help parents learn how to help their children. And there are services to help children overcome or minimize their problems.

Waiting keeps parents worried. When children have difficulties, waiting can make things worse. Children and families do better when problems are detected early and treated quickly. So, it is important to have your child's learning and behavior tested each time you see your child's health giver. This is strongly urged by the American Academy of Pediatrics and many other leading organizations.

Even if you have no immediate concerns, monitoring your child's developmental progress can also reassure you that your child is developing well, and that you are meeting their needs with age-appropriate activities, toys and curricula in day care, school, or homeschool settings.