The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention changed its standards for early childhood development in a move critics argue comes as caregivers, and children as young as 2, have been forced to wear a mask in childcare settings and beyond.
Among the announced changes are two new milestone categories for 30 months and 15 months. The CDC points readers to a Pediatrics journal article that explains the research behind the changes.
According to the paper's abstract, the new changes represent a 26.4 percent reduction and 40.9 percent replacement of previous standards set forth by the CDC.
One change that is drawing particular scrutiny on social media and among parents is that by 30-months, a child should say "about 50 words.”
Literacy advocate Karen Vaites noted how this is at odds with The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s milestones, considered the "gold standard," which state that saying fewer than 50 words by 24 months is a warning sign for a “language problem.”
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (@ASHAWeb) is clear that "saying fewer than 50 words" when a child is two years old is a sign of a "language problem."
— Karen Vaites (@karenvaites) February 19, 2022
See:https://t.co/4HxCvIaHg7 pic.twitter.com/FL4j0pxSYD
Pre-pandemic, two year olds were typically repeating words and speaking two- to four-word sentences.
— Karen Vaites (@karenvaites) February 19, 2022
Also, "knowing names" of familiar things.
The original CDC videos won't render via the Wayback Machine, I can't go deeper into what all this means. pic.twitter.com/LtBhumtXEo
In latest changes, @CDCgov introduced a 30-month milestone, which didn't exist previously.
— Karen Vaites (@karenvaites) February 19, 2022
For the first time, @CDCgov milestones introduce expectations for number of words spoken: 50. https://t.co/59jlmHUKf1
Recall, @ASHAWeb says that 50 words at 2YO is a red flag for delays. pic.twitter.com/rQtVv69ULV
This isn’t the first time @CDCgov made quiet updates to guidance related to risks of masking young children.
— Karen Vaites (@karenvaites) February 19, 2022
Of note: https://t.co/02ebfuFCWw
Vaites also addresses those who note that the changes have nothing to do with masking.
BTW, yes I was aware of the CDC's stated rationale for making these changes. They are well-summarized in this thread.
— Karen Vaites (@karenvaites) February 19, 2022
Whatever the CDC's intentions... the dissonance between their guidance and the guidance of orgs like ASHA remains...https://t.co/hn4HtJwFRP
Also, I couldn't find any speech pathologists who thought that 25% of children are, in fact, speaking only 50 words at 30 months. Which is what you'd have to believe to believe that the CDC change is appropriate to accomplish the goals outlined here.https://t.co/zqAHiIqfGX
— Karen Vaites (@karenvaites) February 19, 2022
In the thread she references, Freedman added: "The prior developmental milestone screening tools hinged on 50% of children not reaching that goal (e.g. 50 words by age 2) to identify delays. The unintended result is that many times parents, providers, etc adopted a 'wait & see' approach rather than referring to therapy. A higher 75% threshold or identifying the 25% of kids not reaching that milestone (30 words by age 2) will mean more referrals for these at risk kids & less 'wait & see.'"
Still, given the changes are at odds with ASHA guidelines, she called the move "fishy."
Can I prove that the @CDCgov changes were political? I cannot.
— Karen Vaites (@karenvaites) February 19, 2022
Do I think this topic deserves conversation, even if the CDC/AAP had no nefarious motives?
Well, there is never a bad time to have public discussions about children’s development & value of early intervention.
?? https://t.co/5m0jR36de4