Through this survey and our wider project, we will listen to the experiences of family (parents, carers and young people) about their experiences of accessing mental health support for young people including assessments for neurodivergence in the past two years. This will include experiences of the NHS and of Right to Choose.  
 
We are asking about neurodivergence and mental ill health as if they are separate things. However, we recognise that neurodivergent children and young people (or those waiting for an assessment) can also experience mental ill health, and indeed may be more likely to do so as a result of trying to cope in a neurotypical world.  
 
Our aim is to understand the experiences of young people and the impact of getting timely support for the whole family.  

Please send any hard copies of the survey back to (no stamp needed): 

Healthwatch York, FREEPOST RTEG-BLES-RRYJ, 15 Priory Street, York, YO1 6ET

 

1. Have you ever tried to access any of the following for a child / young person? Tick all that apply 

 

2. How old was your child / young person when you first thought they might have a mental health issue / be neurodivergent?

 

3. How old are they now?

 

4. If you did seek help, what was it for? (tick all that apply) 

 

5. If you did seek help, who did you go to? (tick all that apply) 

 

6. Did your child / young person get any support/an assessment for autism or ADHD? If yes, what happened? 

 

7. If they received help, what was the impact for the young person and for you and your family? 

 

8. If they didn’t get support/a referral for an assessment, were you told that your child / young person did not meet the criteria for a referral/support? 

 

9. If they didn’t get support/a referral, were you given any information about other organisations who could help?  

 

10. If yes, what information did you receive (eg leaflets, contacts details, information about courses etc) and how useful was it? 

 

11. Was your child / young person been put on a waiting list. If yes how long did they wait / have they been waiting? 

 

12. If they are still on a waiting list, do you have an idea how much longer they will be waiting? 

 

13. What was the impact of the experience of seeking support on your child / young person, you and your family? 

 

14. If needed, did you seek any further help/support or an assessment for them? 

 

15. If yes, where did you go for help?

 

16. Did your child / young person get any support/an assessment on this occasion? If yes, what was it?

 

17. Tell us if your child / young person did get support/an assessment and the impact of that on them, you and your family?  

 

18. At any point, were other family members – parents, carers or siblings – offered any support for their mental health and wellbeing or to help them support the young person? 

 

19. What was good about your/ your child/young person’s experiences?

 

20. What would have made your child/young person’s/your experience better?

 

21. What would a good mental health service for children and young people look like? 

 

22. Are there any things it would be helpful for us to know about your family? For example: 

  • Does your child have any other health conditions?
  • Is your child neurodivergent? Eg ADHD, Autism, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, other, diagnosed, on a waiting list etc
  • Is your child / young person adopted / fostered / in a kinship care arrangement?
  • Does your child / young person have any challenges with sleep?
  • Does your child / young person have any difficulties at school? 

Please tell us more in the box below

 

23. Are you in contact with other services and support for children / young people? (tick all that apply)

 

24. From your experience, do you feel that services in York work well together to support children and young people to meet their potential? 

 

25. Do you have any communication needs as a family? Have you been asked about your communication preferences, have these been recorded and respected? 

 

26. Is there anything else you want to tell us?