ndds

The Nipissing District Developmental Screen (NDDS) is a not-for-profit organization committed to promoting optimal child development by:

• Providing a simple, affordable screening instrument that assists in the early identification of delays.
• Providing suggestions and activities that foster age appropriate development.
• Offering support and education on the use of the NDDS.
• Making the NDDS available to diverse populations.

In 1993, a group of early intervention professionals became concerned about the number of children experiencing developmental delays who were being identified after age three.

They soon found this was a shared concern amongst their colleagues. As a result, a multi-disciplinary group volunteered to meet on a regular basis to address this concern. Their goal was to develop an efficient checklist for professionals to use to identify children experiencing developmental delays. The committee consisted of speech language pathologists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, nurses, teachers, social workers and parent-infant therapists. Since its inception in 1993, the Nipissing District Developmental Screen Committee has continued to update and incorporate changes to the instrument.

In 2006, NDDS signed a licensing agreement with the Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services to provide free access to all residents of Ontario.

In 2008, NDDS received the Judges' Choice Award at the 22nd Annual Northern Ontario Business Awards.