Thank you very much for visiting our Survey page.

We've completed our survey phase of the project and 322 participants took the time to complete surveys. Both parents/caregivers (160) and professionals (162) not only completed surveys many provided comments and recommendations about improvements that might be considered to area programs and services. Here are the statistical results.

To view many of the comments and recommendations, please review the Final Report. We would appreciate your comments, anecdotes/stories, testimonials, criticisms. We are also collecting contact information toward the establishment of support groups to better serve the needs of families or individuals struggling to access resources or to voice concerns.

Outline of findings from the Professional Survey

Ideally where should infant and child referrals for developmental or academic asessment services begin?
Priority answers...
parents
physician
public health workers/educators

With Success by 6 perspective in mind, what is the most beneficial age for developmental assessments?
Priority answers
3-5 years
1-2 years
7-12 mos

What is a reasonable wait time for an assessment?
30 days
1-3 mos
7-12 mos

Are ALL programs and services, in Nanaimo and area, adequately meting current needs for neuro-developmentally disabled infants, children, youth, and young adults?
95.8% NO

We are very aware this question is too general, but rather than ask individual questions - i.e. are transportation programs... are educational programs... are health programs (and then have to break any one question down into its smaller possibilities), we sought for respondents to indicate their awareness of "needs".

If NO was your answer to the previous question please select the main reason.

(could select more than one answer)
Funding inadequacies 68% of respondents
lack of skilled professionals 48% of respondents
government priorities 44.5% of respondents
public education and awareness 41% of respondents

Who should best provide information about resources, programs/services for neuro-developmentally disabled infants, children, youth and young adults?
Government - 54% of respondents
Other - identified the following... CLBC, MCFD, hospitals, community organizations, pediatricians, CDC, school counsellors, regional health, School District ,

As professionals what resources do you require to better meet the needs of infants, children, youth, young adults with disabilities? If you have no needs, do not choose any answer. May choose multiple answers.
Funding - 63% of respondents
professional development - 52% of respondents
qualified support staff - 50% of respondents
support services (speech/language therapists, etc.) - 49% of respondents

What are your recommendations...
In order of priority the answers were...
Funding, professional development/support staff

Outline of findings from the Parent/caregiver Survey

Disability that best describes the child, youth, young adult?
Anwers are in order of numbers...
Developmental disability - 67
Learning Disability - 61
ADD/ADHD - 40
Autism - 35
Behavior Disorders - 33
Epilepsy - 15
Tourette Syndrom - 15
Fetal Alcohol Syndrom - 14
There were an assortment of other disabilities not on the list and participants put the following as their additions: cerebral palsy, Downs Syndrome, brain injured, sensory integration dysfunction, etc.

How old is the child, youth, young adult?
Answers between 2 years and 29 years.
Majority between 4 years and 16 years

At what age was the child assessed?
Answers between 1-15 years of age
Majority between 3-8 years of age

Was there a waiting list for the child, youth, young adult to be assessed?
YES 70% of respondents

How long was the wait?
3-6 mos - 31% of respondents
7-12 mos - 17% of respondents
13-18 mos - 11%
37 mos. Plus - 6%

Who referred the child for assessment?
52% - parents
34% physician
21% teacher
7% Child Development Centre

What special programs does the child, youth, young adult require?
Speech/Language - 50% of respondents
Socialization - 46%
Lifeskills - 38%
Behavior Therapy - 30%
Academics - 30%

Were there wait lists or challenges that prevented the child, youth, or young adult from participating in a program or service?
YES - 84.5%

Do finances limit participation in programs or services for the child, youth, young adult?
YES - 76%

If the child or youth has an Individual Education Plan, are you satisfied with the implementation of the IEP?
NO - 32%
No applicable - 42.5%
YES - 25%

Are professionals collaborating and cooperating with one another in meeting the needs of the child, youth or young adult?
26% Neutral
NO - 38%
YES - 26%

Which resources have you used in the past that have been helpful to you?
May choose more than 1.
Family and Physician (both) 52.5%
Internet - 47%
Support Groups/Agencies - 59%

Would you agree that acess to information is readily available?
Neutral - 19%
NO - 48%
YES - 21%

Which is your preferred respite care service provider?

51% - Family
30% - private
remaining... other foster parents, don't get/qualify for respite, still searching, neighbors, etc.

Is the preferred respite service available to you?
NO - 35%
Sometimes - 33%
Yes - 20%

What services are NOT paid for by insurance, supplemental or government funding?

May choose more than 1.
53% - recreation
50% - transportation
55% - diet
other answers include: assessments - 23%; special education - 28%; speech/language therapy - 22%; technology (computers, voice, hearing, etc.) - 26%; pharmaceuticals - 21%; childcare - 31%

Please offer recommendations.
More funding,
Greater collaboration ( each professional does their job, but they don't appreciate children fall through the cracks for funding/designation and therefore supports are NOT provided)
More resources for access to information, direction/advocacy, support