Early Intervention: Developmental Monitoring

The Early Intervention Program's Developmental Monitoring Unit assists families in tracking their child's development from birth to age 3. Families can fill out a questionnaire, called the Ages and Stages 3 Questionnaire, to see how their child is developing compared to other children their age.

A Developmental Monitoring Specialist will score the questionnaire and then talk with the family about the results. The specialist may suggest next steps for the family, including: completing another questionnaire, finding fun activities to do at home to help their child develop, or referring their child for an evaluation for Early Intervention services.

Children who Should Be Referred to Developmental Monitoring

  • Infants and toddlers who are not eligible for Early Intervention services
  • Babies who spent more than 10 days in a neonatal intensive care unit
  • Babies born to homeless parents
  • Babies with a history of neglect or abuse
  • Babies with a family history of vision or hearing impairment
  • Babies who no longer need Early Intervention, but whose families want continued monitoring
  • Babies who weighed between 1,000 grams (2 lbs., 3.3 ounces) and 1,500 grams (3 lbs., 4.9 ounces).
  • Premature babies
  • Babies with low Apgar scores at birth (three or lower at five minutes of life)
  • Babies who might have hearing loss
  • Any other infants or toddlers who do not appear to be learning, playing, growing, walking or talking like other children their age

To make a referral to Developmental Monitoring, call 311 and say that you want to refer a child to Developmental Monitoring, or fill out the Early Intervention Program Referral Form (PDF) and fax it to the relevant number listed on the form.

ACS Referrals

Employees of the NYC Administration for Children’s Services (ACS), as well as agencies contracted with ACS, who want to make referrals for Early Intervention and Developmental Monitoring must call the Citywide ACS Referral Hotline at 877-885-KIDZ (877-885-5439).

Additional Resources

More Information