The Education Hub is undertaking a research project to explore how well New Zealand’s education system is set up to support our neurodivergent students. 

As part of the project we are seeking the perspectives of teachers, students, parents and support services in order to better understand what’s working, what’s not, and how the situation can be improved. 

This reflects the interest The Education Hub has had over the past few years in helping teachers, schools and early childhood centres to better support their neurodivergent children. It also reflects the current reality that too many of the neurodivergent young people in New Zealand will not have received a diagnosis – either because their condition has not been identified, or because they have not been able to get an assessment with the necessary provider, due to either cost or wait time. Many will be in schools or early childhood centres, which, despite their best intentions, often do not have the knowledge, expertise, or funding to provide the types of support required.  

As a country, we can and we must do better. Action needs to be informed by a greater understanding of the existing situation, and should draw on the experiences and perspectives of those who are engaged in the system, capturing their voices on what improvements are needed. We have put together surveys for six different groups – schools, early childhood education, students, parents of school aged children, parents of pre-school aged children, and people working in support services. 

We are hoping to capture the voices of as many people as possible. Please consider completing our anonymous survey (you may complete multiple surveys if, for example, you are both a teacher and the parent of a neurodivergent child). Your contribution will play a vital role in fighting for better support for our neurodivergent young people.