CDC_AUT_Tips_Temp_EN.txt

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Tips for Talking with Parents

If you suspect a child has a developmental 
delay and believe a parent is unaware of it, 
this sample conversation can give you ideas 
of how to talk with the child�s parent.

Good afternoon, Ms. Jones. We love having Taylor in class. He really 
enjoys story time and follows directions well. He is working hard on 
coloring but is having a difficult time and gets frustrated. I have also 
noticed a few things about Taylor�s social skills that I would like to 
discuss with you. Do you have a few minutes? [Cite specific behaviors 
and when they occurred.]

Have you noticed any of these at home? 

Ms. Jones, here is some information that shows the developmental 
milestones for a child Taylor�s age. Let�s plan to meet again next week 
[set a time] after you�ve had time to read it and think it over. [Provide 
information such as the fact sheets.] 

Ms. Jones, I know this is hard to talk about, and I may be over-
reacting, but I think it would also be a good idea to talk to Taylor�s 
doctor about this in the next few weeks. You can take this information 
with you when you go. The doctor can give Taylor a �developmental 
screening� which can answer some questions about his progress and 
whether you need to do anything else. Maybe there is no problem, but 
getting help early can make a big difference if there is, so it�s really 
important to find out for sure. Let me know if you need anything from 
me for that doctor�s appointment!

Thank you for agreeing to talk with me today. We�ll all do our best to 
help Taylor. He is a great kid!

If a parent approaches you with concerns 
about his or her child, this might help 
you respond.

Mrs. Smith, you wanted to speak with me privately about Taylor? 

[Listen to her concerns. See if she has noticed the same behaviors you 
have, and share examples that are the same as or different from hers.] 

I am glad to know we are both on the same page. I have some information 
that might help you when you�re watching Taylor at home this 
week. This fact sheet shows the developmental milestones for his age. 
Each child develops at his or her own pace, so Taylor might not have 
met all these milestones; it�s worth taking a closer look. Let�s meet 
again next [set a date] after you�ve had time to read this and think 
about it.

I also think it would be a good idea to talk to Taylor�s doctor about 
this in the next few weeks. You can take this information with when you 
go. The doctor can give Taylor a �developmental screening� which 
can answer some questions about his progress and whether you need 
to do anything else. Let me know if you need anything from me for 
that doctor�s appointment. Thank you for talking with me today. We�ll 
all do our best to help Taylor. He is a great kid!

Tips for these conversations with parents:

� Highlight some of the child�s strengths, letting the parent know 
what the child does well.

� Use materials like the �Learn the Signs. Act Early.� fact sheets. 
This will help the parent know that you are basing your comments 
on facts and not just feelings.

� Talk about specific behaviors that you have observed in caring for 
the child. Use the milestones fact sheets as a guide. Example: If you 
are telling the parent �I have noticed that Taylor does not play pre 
tend games with the other children,� you could show the parent the 
line on the milestones fact sheet for a four-year-old that says that a 
child that age �engages in fantasy play.�

� Try to make it a discussion. Pause a lot, giving the parent time 
to think and to respond.

� Expect that if the child is the oldest in the family, the parent 
might not have experience to know the milestones the child 
should be reaching.

� Listen to and watch the parent to decide on how to proceed. 
Pay attention to tone of voice and body language.

� This might be the first time the parent has become aware that 
the child might have a delay. Give the parent time to think 
about this and even speak with the child�s other caregivers.

� Let the parent know that he or she should talk with the child�s 
health care professional (doctor or nurse) soon if there are any 
concerns or more information is needed.

� Remind the parent that you do your job because you love and 
care for children, and that you want to make sure that the 
child does his or her very best. It is also okay to say that you 
�may be overly concerned,� but that it is best to check with the 
child�s doctor or nurse to be sure since early action is so 
important if there is a real delay.

Kentucky �Learn the Signs. Act Early.�

For more information call: 502.852.7799

https://louisville.edu/education/kyautismtraining/actearly

Seek early intervention, if your child is under age 3, contact the First Steps Program at 
(800) 442-0087. 

Contact your local school district�s special education department, if your child is age 3 or 
older to secure special education services your child is entitled to under the Individuals with 
Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

www.cdc.gov/actearly | 1-800-CDC-INFO

Department of Health and Human Services � Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


Learn the Signs. Act Early.