Our Mission

First Signs is dedicated to the early identification and intervention of children with developmental delays and disorders.

With developmental disabilities on the rise, there is much that remains poorly understood, from cause to cure. However, there is one widely-accepted fact: Early and intensive intervention can have a profound impact on the quality of life for both children at risk and their families. The key is early detection. But recognizing the first signs of a developmental delay or disorder, such as autism, can be a challenge for parents and healthcare professionals alike.

Our organization aims to educate parents, healthcare providers, early childhood educators, and other professionals in order to ensure the best developmental outcome for every child. Our goals are to improve screening and referral practices and to lower the age at which young children are identified with autism and other developmental disorders.

The First Signs Web site provides a wealth of vital resources, covering a range of issues: from healthy development, to concerns about a child; from the screening and referral process, to treatments for autism spectrum disorders. We invite you to explore our site in your search for answers.