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

New York State uses a standardized developmental screener for infants and toddlers far less than most of the country, and state officials are now trying to close the gap. Valerie Gregory says she never saw the questionnaire during pediatric visits for her son, despite regular wellness checks and play groups—until she learned he was behind on walking and speech. Data from the federal National Survey of Children’s Health (2024) shows only about 28% of New York parents of young children completed a screener in the prior 12 months, versus roughly 36% nationwide. Officials cite low Medicaid coverage and reimbursement under $20, and are rolling out a new outreach campaign.