Special Needs - Parent Survey

Survey for Parents with Special Needs Children  

The Children’s Trust of Alachua County is conducting this survey to learn more about current resources, unmet needs, and ways to improve services for families with special needs children. For this survey, “special needs” includes developmental delays, intellectual or learning disabilities, physical disabilities, health conditions, or emotional/behavioral challenges—whether suspected or formally diagnosed.

The survey should take 10-15 minutes to complete. Your participation is voluntary and responses will remain anonymous.

This survey is intended for parents of children with special needs residing in Alachua County. A parent is an adult who has primary responsibility for the care, welfare, and decision-making on behalf of a child. This can include biological parents, adoptive parents, stepparents, legal guardians, and other individuals formally designated as a primary caregiver.

If you have questions, please contact (352) 374-1830.

Thank you for your time and input.

Special Needs - Parent Survey

Have any of your children been identified with a disability?

I have a child / children diagnosed with a special need. My child has a special need that has not been diagnosed.

Please select all special needs that apply to your child or children.

Autism Spectrum Disorder ADHD Anxiety / Depression Blindness / Visual Impairment Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing Developmental Delay Emotional / Behavioral Epilepsy or Seizure Disorder Intellectual Disability Orthopedic / Physical Impairment Specific Learning Disability Speech Impairment Traumatic Brain Injury Other

How many special needs children are you raising?

What is his or her current age (in years)?

Child Age in Years

Add More

To what extent are your child(ren)'s needs met in the following areas?

Education

Needs Not Met Somewhat Met Needs are Met

Child Care

Needs Not Met Somewhat Met Needs are Met

Recreation / Sports

Needs Not Met Somewhat Met Needs are Met

Social

Needs Not Met Somewhat Met Needs are Met

Basic Needs (e.g., food, housing, clothing)

Needs Not Met Somewhat Met Needs are Met

Routine Medical Care

Needs Not Met Somewhat Met Needs are Met

Specialized Medical Care

Needs Not Met Somewhat Met Needs are Met

How challenging is it to manage your child's day-to-day needs?

Very Easy

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Extremely Difficult

What financial resources/supports do you receive for your special needs child(ren)?

Children's Medical Services (CMS) Medicaid Private Health Insurance Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Step Up for Students Scholarships for Childcare/Tuition None of the Above Other

Overall, do the financial resources you have allow your child to receive the services they need?

My child's needs are not met at all. My child's needs are partially met. My child's needs are fully met.

What do you need in terms of services / resources?

Please rate your need for the following services / resources, where 1 equals "Not a Need" and 5 equals "Significant Need".

Help finding and connecting to services and resources.

Not a Need

1 2 3 4 5

Significant Need

A place or opportunities to connect with other families with special needs children.

Not a Need

1 2 3 4 5

Significant Need

Help getting my child an evaluation / assessment / diagnosis.

Not a Need

1 2 3 4 5

Significant Need

Improved access to specialized care.

Not a Need

1 2 3 4 5

Significant Need

More programs equipped to serve special needs children.

Not a Need

1 2 3 4 5

Significant Need

Programs to assist youth with transition to adulthood.

Not a Need

1 2 3 4 5

Significant Need

What is your most significant unmet need?

What is your experience with the services / resources listed below?

Developmental Screening

Using/Used Need/Needed & Unable to Access Not Needed

Early Intervention Services

Using/Used Need/Needed & Unable to Access Not Needed

Evaluation / Diagnostic Services

Using/Used Need/Needed & Unable to Access Not Needed

Speech / Language Therapy

Using/Used Need/Needed & Unable to Access Not Needed

Occupational Therapy

Using/Used Need/Needed & Unable to Access Not Needed

Physical Therapy

Using/Used Need/Needed & Unable to Access Not Needed

Assistive Technology

Using/Used Need/Needed & Unable to Access Not Needed

Applied Behavioral Analysis

Using/Used Need/Needed & Unable to Access Not Needed

Counseling / Mental Health Treatment

Using/Used Need/Needed & Unable to Access Not Needed

Respite Care / In-Home Relief for Caregiver

Using/Used Need/Needed & Unable to Access Not Needed

Special Education Services

Using/Used Need/Needed & Unable to Access Not Needed

Afterschool / Summer Camp

Using/Used Need/Needed & Unable to Access Not Needed

Tutoring / Academic Support

Using/Used Need/Needed & Unable to Access Not Needed

Specialized Dental Care

Using/Used Need/Needed & Unable to Access Not Needed

Family Support & Training

Using/Used Need/Needed & Unable to Access Not Needed

Peer Support Group

Using/Used Need/Needed & Unable to Access Not Needed

Care Coordination / Case Management

Using/Used Need/Needed & Unable to Access Not Needed

Youth Transition to Adulthood

Using/Used Need/Needed & Unable to Access Not Needed

What issues have you encountered when seeking services for your special needs child? (check all that apply)

Difficulty finding services Program is full / has a waitlist It's too expensive Hours did not match my family's needs Facility is hard to get to / transportation difficulties Didn't meet eligibility requirements Not available for my child's age Didn't have the required diagnosis Staff lack training / experience Program unable to meet my child's specific needs Building did not have the right equipment / wheelchair access Other

What programs or resources have been really helpful for you and your family?

What resources or supports have you found helpful in learning how to parent a child with special needs?

What additional or new service or resource would you be interested in seeing brought to Alachua County?

What improvements to existing services or resources would you most want to see?

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Demographics

We kindly ask you to complete a few demographic items, so we can better understand who has responded to this survey and how interests and needs might vary by demographics.

What city do you live in?

AlachuaArcherEarletonGainesvilleHawthorneHigh SpringsIsland GroveLa CrosseLochloosaMicanopyMelroseNewberryWaldoOutside of Alachua County

How long have you lived in Alachua County?

Less than 1 year1 - 5 years6 - 15 yearsMore than 15 years

Are you of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin?

Yes No

Please select your race.

White/CaucasianBlack/African AmericanNative AmericanAsian/Pacific IslanderMultiracialSome Other Race

Which of the following best describes your yearly household income?

Less than $20,000 $20,000 - $59,999 $60,000 - $99,999 $100,000 - $149,999 $150,000 or more

How many children are living in your household?

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