Our submission to Statistics New Zealand for the 2023 Disability Survey
Updated 19 May 2023
We hear, time and time again, from those in our ADHD community about the challenges of getting the support required to enable them to thrive. We know there are long wait times and high costs to access diagnosis and support and that in some parts of the country, it’s worse than others. However, we lack good data and research to show the government and health leaders what exactly is failing, and to identify solutions that are effective.
Investing in better data collection and quality local research is a key part of our 2021-2026 strategy. Better data collection by Statistics New Zealand (Stats NZ) is fundamental to improving the understanding of the support needs of those with ADHD in New Zealand.
ADHD has been officially classified, by the Ministry of Health, as a neurodevelopmental condition. But in the past, it has not been included in the Stats NZ Disability Survey.
As this is the first national disability survey since 2013, Stats NZ completed a consultation. As part of our submission to this consultation we asked ADHD to be included.
This submission does not mean we view ADHD as a disability in the literal sense. ADHD is a condition that describes the unique structure of the brain. It enables people with ADHD to think and respond differently in certain situations. In other words, ADHD comes with some advantages and disadvantages - and these disadvantages can have a very negative impact without the appropriate support. ADHD does affect individuals in different ways and to varying degrees, and this submission reflects that.
We are delighted that Stats NZ have confirmed the inclusion of ADHD in their 2023 Disability Survey. Surveying will likely occur between August and December 2023, and they will share the results from mid-2024.
If they contact you about this survey, we encourage you to take the time to complete it.
Completing this survey means we’ll have better data to help us understand the needs of you and others in our ADHD community. Identifying these needs will also enable us to identify and understand where there are gaps in the services required to support our ADHD community. We can then provide appropriate support (such as assessment, diagnosis, medication, and other therapies and support at home, at school, or in the workplace).
We hear, time and time again, from those in our ADHD community about the challenges of getting the support required to enable them to thrive. We know there are long wait times and high costs to access diagnosis and support and that in some parts of the country, it’s worse than others. However, we lack good data and research to show the government and health leaders what exactly is failing, and to identify solutions that are effective.
Investing in better data collection and quality local research is a key part of our 2021-2026 strategy. Better data collection by Statistics New Zealand (Stats NZ) is fundamental to improving the understanding of the support needs of those with ADHD in New Zealand.
ADHD has been officially classified, by the Ministry of Health, as a neurodevelopmental condition. But in the past, it has not been included in the Stats NZ Disability Survey.
As this is the first national disability survey since 2013, Stats NZ completed a consultation. As part of our submission to this consultation we asked ADHD to be included.
This submission does not mean we view ADHD as a disability in the literal sense. ADHD is a condition that describes the unique structure of the brain. It enables people with ADHD to think and respond differently in certain situations. In other words, ADHD comes with some advantages and disadvantages - and these disadvantages can have a very negative impact without the appropriate support. ADHD does affect individuals in different ways and to varying degrees, and this submission reflects that.
We are delighted that Stats NZ have confirmed the inclusion of ADHD in their 2023 Disability Survey. Surveying will likely occur between August and December 2023, and they will share the results from mid-2024.
If they contact you about this survey, we encourage you to take the time to complete it.
Completing this survey means we’ll have better data to help us understand the needs of you and others in our ADHD community. Identifying these needs will also enable us to identify and understand where there are gaps in the services required to support our ADHD community. We can then provide appropriate support (such as assessment, diagnosis, medication, and other therapies and support at home, at school, or in the workplace).
