In 1993, the Nipissing District Infant Development Program* became concerned about the number of children, who were being identified after age three, experiencing developmental delays.

They soon found this was a shared concern among early intervention professionals. 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 Developmental Screen Committee (NDDS) have continued to update and incorporate changes to the instrument.

The NDDS was designed to elicit a "YES" or "NO" response, with "NO" indicating a possible developmental delay.

The following outlines the history and development of the NDDS USA:

2004
Nipissing District Developmental Screen USA was incorporated as a Not-for Profit-Organization in the state of Virginia.

2004
The website received an American portal for US customers

2005
The first order was received.

2005
Orders have been received from the following states; California, Kansas, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Missouri, Alaska and Utah

NDDS USA became a member of the National Head Start Association.

2006
Web ordering available online at www.ndds.ca
Interactive Screen was launched.

*The Nipissing, Nipissing District Developmental Screen USA, NDDS USA and NDDS.ca are trademarks of Nipissing District Developmental Screen Intellectual Property Association, used under license. All rights reserved.