Family Insights
We asked parents of neurodivergent children about the range of differences their children experience, and what kinds of information would help. 394 families took part in our online survey. Here’s what they told us.
We asked parents of neurodivergent children about the range of differences their children experience, and what kinds of information would help. 394 families took part in our online survey. Here’s what they told us.
Many families described a complex picture. Alongside a main diagnosis, children experience other differences such as health difficulties.
Each child’s mix of strengths and needs is unique and parents said they value information that reflects the whole person.
Parent Survey 2024
Our parent survey asked about the complexity of their child’s needs, the information they wanted beyond a diagnosis, hyperlexia, and how neurodivergence is represented in children’s picture books.
Of the 394 families that responded in our survey, autism was the most common diagnosis (8 in 10).
4 out of 5 parents said information beyond a diagnosis would be very or extremely useful (267 responses out of 338, 79%)
3 out of 5 parents said there was a lack of information available about additional areas (200 out of 331, 60%)
1 in 2 families had a child with more than one neurodevelopmental diagnosis (222 out of 388, 57%)
4 out of 5 families in our survey had an autistic child (329 out of 388, 85%). Other differences included ADHD, learning disabilities, dyslexia, dyspraxia, cerebral palsy, and rare genetic conditions.
7 out of 10 families said that information about strengths would be very or extremely useful (270 out of 369, 73%)
Parents said that there was a lack of resources about additional information. This included information on issues such as coping, health and strengths.
Parents said that there was a lack of resources for their children. Around 2 in 3 parents said it was difficult to find resources tailored for their child about their diagnosis (65%, 217 out of 333 responses). They identified Easy Read materials, social stories, visual, picture based and video formats as most useful for their children. They also valued interactive, or animated resources, simple language and children’s picture books.
The survey asked about information needs, the additional areas of their child’s diagnosis, and picture books.
Information needs of families
Families said they value information that is trustworthy, easy to understand, and connected to real experiences. Most wanted clear links to support, reliable evidence-based content, and personal stories. Visuals, videos, and infographics were also mentioned as helpful formats. Read more on our information page.
Information needs of children
Almost half of parents said it was difficult to find information for their child about their diagnosis.
Parents identified Easy Read materials, pictures, video and symbols as the most useful for their children. They also valued interactive or animated resources, simple language, and children’s picture books. A smaller number mentioned specific formats such as audio versions or high-contrast layouts.
Families said their children would also benefit from information about additional areas, with most saying it would help a great deal or a lot.
Barriers to information
Families reported that they found it hard to find information about additional areas in neurodevelopment. They said that there was a lack of information on these areas, or that they were unable to find this. Families said existing material was not tailored to neurodivergence. Read more on our information page.
Strengths
Families said online information about strengths would be useful. They described a wide range of strengths — including creativity, humour, kindness, strong memory, deep interests, and abilities. Many also mentioned honesty, empathy, and unique ways of seeing the world. Read more in our strengths page.
Health
Families listed a whole range of health concerns for their neurodivergent child, including anxiety, sleep, dental, hyper mobility, constipation and weight. Read more on our health page.
Additional areas
Families most often mentioned emotional regulation and sensory processing as key areas. Parental stress, impulsivity, and cognitive differences were also widely reported, along with demand avoidance, repetitive behaviour, safeguarding, and experiences of stigma or discrimination.
1 in 2 families said their children had significant developmental delays (164 out of 350 responses). Families described differences across a range of areas. Social interaction and independent living skills were most often mentioned, along with safety awareness, motor coordination, speech and language. Read more on our information page.
Picture books
We asked parents about their child’s experience of children’s picture books. We also asked what kind of books that they enjoyed, and what they would like to see. Read more on our page on picture books.
Health, development and additional issues
Families told us their children often have a mix of neurodevelopmental differences in learning, health, communication, and daily life.
Some parents reported emotional regulation, sensory processing, anxiety and sleep. Others reported significant developmental delays.
These findings show the wide variety of experiences among neurodivergent children and the need for information that reflects this diversity.
9 out of 10 parents said that emotional regulation/coping (93%) and sensory issues (89%) were an important area for their child (out of 360 responses)
1 in 2 families said their children had significant developmental delays (47%, 164 out of 350 responses). These could include language, motor skills, daily living and learning.
344 parents responded to the survey question on health. 4 in 5 parents reported anxiety (270, 78%). 2 in 3 parents mentioned sleep issues (64%, 222 out of 344).
1 in 4 families felt that stigma or discrimination were issues (28%, 102 out of 360).
2 in 3 families reported parental stress or overload. (66%, 239 out of 360)
394 parents and carers took part in our online survey. They chose to take part, so this was not a random sample. Most were parenting an autistic child (about 8 in 10), and many a child with ADHD. Nearly half of those who answered considered themselves neurodivergent (151 of 325). Around 4 in 10 reported their own disability or long-term health condition (132 of 321).
Most households carried a high level of care. About 7 in 10 had at least one full-time carer. Around 4 in 10 had a child eligible for free school meals. About 3 in 10 were single-parent households (of 236 who answered).
The group was not diverse in ethnicity: about 95% described themselves as White or White British (304 of 321). So the survey does not reflect the experiences of families from a wider range of backgrounds. It was also under-represented by some groups such as children with Down’s syndrome.
We did not compare them with any other group, so they can’t show how common something is or what causes it. Some questions had more responses than others.
Please credit ‘Growing Different Parent Survey 2024‘
We are proud to share our parent survey on health literacy in the UK and Europe. We presented a poster at the East of England Public Health Conference 2026 and won Best Poster.
We also presented at the European Public Health Conference 2025, Managing complexity: addressing information gaps in neurodevelopmental differences. The findings highlight a need for co-produced, accessible, and strength-based resources that reflect the layered nature of neurodevelopmental differences.
These findings are based on responses to our 2024 Parent Survey and reflect the views of participating families. All responses were anonymised and participation was voluntary. Data were collected and stored securely in line with GDPR and ethical good practice. We’re very grateful to every family who took the time to share their experiences.
If you’d like a copy of the full report or to quote or share these findings, please get in touch through our contact page.
© Growing Different 2026. Please credit Growing Different (2024 Parent Survey) when referencing these findings.
This site gives general information, not medical advice. We share information and resources, but we can’t offer individual or one-to-one support. Always check with a professional before making decisions about your child.
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Information created: April 2026 I Next review: April 2029
Supported by
This project has been made possible with funding from the National Lottery Community Fund and the CPCA (Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority), delivered through Allia Impact Ltd.
