16/09/2026
Very proud to see our paper, “Managing Diabetes in Children and Young People: A Qualitative Exploration of Complexity and Care Challenges,” published in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism led by Prof May Ng
This is one of the first qualitative studies to explore in depth the lived experiences of children and young people with and , including and , alongside the perspectives of their parents and caregivers.Through interviews with young people and caregivers, we heard first-hand about the realities of managing two complex conditions simultaneously: the importance of routine and family support, sensory challenges, anxiety and sleep disruption, experiences around diagnosis, diabetes technology, and concerns about to adult services. One particularly important message was that the young people themselves did not view neurodiversity as a barrier to managing their diabetes. Diabetestechnology was also widely viewed as reducing burden, improving confidence and quality of life, although sensory sensitivities and alarm fatigue remain important considerations.
This work reinforces why we must move away from a “one-size-fits-all” approach. Diabetes services need to understand neurodiversity, adapt communication, recognise sensory and behavioural needs, support families, and develop genuinely individualised care plans. Most importantly, we need to listen to the voices of neurodiverse young people themselves when designing their care.
Thank you to.all for contributing evidence to an area where research remains remarkably limited.
Do share the open access paper here
https://lnkd.in/eY6dAQ24
