# At what age is the CDC LTSAE milestone tool used for a child?

Canonical: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/at-what-age-is-the-cdc-ltsae-developmental-assessment-used-for-a-child
Publisher: Pinnacle Blooms Network / Bharath Healthcare Laboratories Private Limited

The CDC "Learn the Signs. Act Early." (LTSAE) milestone checklists are designed for children from 2 months up to 5 years (60 months) of age, with checklists at set ages: 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 24, 30, 36, 48 and 60 months. They are a free, friendly checklist for tracking play, learning, speech, behaviour and movement — not a diagnostic test. The tool helps parents and clinicians notice early if support may help and start a conversation, never to label a child.

*A simple, free checklist from babyhood through the preschool years — that is what the CDC's milestone tool is built for.*

## In short
The **CDC "Learn the Signs. Act Early." (LTSAE) milestone checklists** are designed for children from **2 months up to 5 years (60 months)** of age. They are not a diagnostic test — they are a friendly, free parent-and-clinician checklist for tracking how a child plays, learns, speaks, acts and moves across that early window. There are checklists at set ages: 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 24, 30, 36, 48 and 60 months.

## How the LTSAE milestones work across the ages
The CDC milestone checklists give parents a clear set of "most children can do this by this age" markers, organised into social-emotional, language and communication, cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving), and movement and physical development. Because the early years are when development moves fastest, the checklists are spaced more closely in infancy (every two to three months) and a little wider as a child grows. The idea is gentle and ongoing — you tick what your child is already doing, celebrate progress, and notice early if a skill seems slow to arrive. The tool is meant to start conversation and prompt timely action, never to label a child.

## When to seek a review
If, at any of these ages, your child has not yet reached several expected milestones — or if a skill they once had seems to fade — that is a sign to talk with a paediatrician or book a developmental review. Acting early simply means adding the right support sooner; it protects a child's confidence and momentum. A checklist that flags a concern is an invitation to look more closely, not a verdict.

## The Pinnacle way
This is general information, not a diagnosis — a clinical [AbilityScore®](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated) and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care, never from an app or checklist alone. Our clinicians use structured, clinician-administered assessment to understand the whole child, drawing on the [CDC LTSAE milestones](/cdc-ltsae) as a starting reference and building an individualised plan that may include [child development support](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/pinnacleai) as needed.

## Trusted sources
CDC "Learn the Signs. Act Early." developmental milestone guidance covering ages 2 months to 5 years; the American Academy of Pediatrics and HealthyChildren guidance on developmental surveillance and milestones.

**Next step —** If a milestone checklist has raised a question, or you simply want clarity on your child's development, book a developmental review with our team to map strengths and start any helpful support early.

## Sources
- CDC — Learn the Signs. Act Early. Milestones: https://www.cdc.gov/child-development
- AAP HealthyChildren — Developmental milestones: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/MotorDelay/Pages/default.aspx

## Connected topics and perspectives
- Assessments: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/assessments
- Parent: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/stakeholder/parent
- Definition: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/intent/definition
- Measure: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/lifecycle/measure
- Screen: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/route/screen
- Early Clarity: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/empowerment/early_clarity

## Related question paths

### Understand the subject
- What is the CDC Learn the Signs. Act Early. (CDC-LTSAE) Milestones?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-cdc-learn-the-signs-act-early-milestones-cdc-ltsae-and-what-does-it-assess

### Understand assessment
- Should my child have a CDC-LTSAE assessment, and what does it involve?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/should-my-child-have-a-cdc-ltsae-assessment-and-what-does-it-involve
- When is the CDC-LTSAE indicated, and what are its strengths and limits?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/when-is-the-cdc-ltsae-indicated-and-what-are-its-strengths-and-limits-in-early-childhood
- How does the CDC-LTSAE compare with the AbilityScore developmental assessment?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-does-the-cdc-ltsae-compare-with-the-abilityscore-developmental-assessment

### Explore therapy & support
- What Are Developmental Milestones?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-developmental-milestones
- Using a Simple Developmental Checklist in the Community: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/as-a-community-health-volunteer-how-can-i-use-a-simple-developmental-checklist-in-the-community