Docs for Tots Featured in NY Times Article

There’s a Way to Gauge Childhood Development. Why Isn’t It Used More?

That’s the important question asked this week in The New York Times in a story by Sarah Carr exploring the ongoing challenges New York State faces in ensuring that young children receive recommended developmental screening.

Docs for Tots was proud to be recognized in the article, which highlights Help Me Grow New York as an important part of the solution. From Lake Erie to the East End, Help Me Grow New York is working at the community level to help families celebrate developmental milestones and identify when a child’s development may need additional attention.

Dr. Liz Isakson, Executive Director of Docs for Tots, shared an important message about creating lasting change:

“It’s been 25 years of us trying to mandate people to do it (developmental screening). Oftentimes, the best way to get to change is to have people ask for it.”

We believe every family should know to ask for developmental screening—and every child should receive 3 developmental screens by age 3. 3×3: 3 developmental screens by 3 years old.

Let’s make 3×3 the standard across New York State. Parents need to know what to ask for, and communities need to make sure families have access to the resources and support they need.

Help us spread the word: Ask for 3×3!

The New York Times article offers an important look at why developmental screening matters and what it will take to make it more accessible to every family. A longer version of the story also appears in The Hechinger Report.