Exploring Parents’ and Carers’ Views About the use of Digital Tools in Neurodevelopmental Assessment

IntroductionChildren's services are struggling to meet increasing demand for neurodevelopmental (ND) assessment and support. Early identification enhances the appropriate delivery of services tailored to meet the needs of children and families. In the face of increased waiting lists, the integration of digital tools may improve efficiency, but only if they are acceptable to the people using them.MethodsWe qualitatively explored the views of parents/carers of neurodivergent children about the potential introduction of digital assessment tools and related data governance. All had lived experience of navigating ND assessment services with their child.ResultsParticipants' experience of the assessment process was of fragmented service delivery, and they welcomed the possibility of a holistic, streamlined approach. Most participants trusted the NHS to keep their information safe but sought greater transparency and sensitivity, about both digital and non-digital data. The introduction of digital tools was welcomed, but participants highlighted accessibility considerations.ConclusionParents and carers are open to the use of digital tools to support child ND assessment, but to be effective they must be safe, accessible and inclusive. They valued the prospect of a holistic efficient approach to understanding neurodivergence.