About Us

The Social Communication Growth Charts were developed by the FIRST WORDS® Project at Florida State University to teach families of infants and toddlers between 9 and 24 months about the five domains of social communication development: Language, Play, Social Competence, Emotional Regulation, and Self-Directed Learning.

About the Authors


  • Amy M. Wetherby, PhD, CCC-SLP

    Amy M. Wetherby is a Distinguished Research Professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences, Director of the Autism Institute in the Florida State University College of Medicine, and the Laurel Schendel Professor of Communication Disorders in the Florida State University College of Communication and Information.

  • Renee D. Holland, MS, CCC-SLP

    Renee D. Holland is the Assistant Director of Early Intervention Services Research and the Lead Intervention Coordinator for the Early Social Interaction Project in the Autism Institute at the Florida State University College of Medicine.


  • Nancy D. Rich

    Nancy D. Rich is Chief Operating Officer for Autism Navigator. She has over 40 years of experience in marketing and communications and has provided content development for the Autism Institute at the FSU College of Medicine for the past 10 years. She is the Founder and former President of First Signs, and author of Could It Be Autism? A Parent’s Guide to the First Signs and Next Steps and The First Year®: Autism Spectrum Disorders: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed Child.

  • Steve Barnes, BFA

    Steve Barnes is the Media and Technology Coordinator for the Autism Institute in the Florida State University College of Medicine.

Voice Over Narration


FIRST WORDS Project Contributors


  • Laura Newton
    Project Coordinator and Family Resource Coordinator
  • Kaitlin Alfermann, MS, CCC-SLP
    Speech Language Pathologist
  • Vickie Peace, BS
    Early Childhood Specialist
  • Kathy Watkins
    Family Resource Coordinator

Technology Development Team


  • Hector Holguin
    System Design and Development
  • Askia Jones
    Website Design
  • Brian Seagraves
    System Design and Development
  • Cara North, PMP
    Project Management
  • Marc Nottke
    IT Vendor Coordination
  • Diana Jones-Ellis
    Quality Assurance