Our Study Results: How Heba is Making a Difference for Families

For families of children with developmental differences, navigating care can feel like solving a puzzle without all the pieces. Parents and carers often find themselves overwhelmed by the complexity of coordinating appointments, accessing information, and finding the right resources. At Heba, we’re determined to change that.

This commitment to support families recently culminated in an independent feasibility study, funded by Innovate UK and conducted in collaboration with the digital health experts at Prova Health and the neurodiversity champions at Differing Minds. Over three months, the study evaluated how Heba impacts families of autistic children, and we’re delighted to share the results.

Why this study matters

When families receive a new autism diagnosis for their child, the journey ahead can be daunting. Many parents report feeling underprepared and unsupported, with little guidance on where to start or how to coordinate care effectively. This gap often leads to increased stress, reduced confidence, and challenges in ensuring their child receives the best possible support.

That’s where Heba comes in. Our app was designed to empower families by simplifying care management, improving access to resources, and reducing stress. But don’t just take our word for it — this study shows how we’re making an impact.

The study at a glance

The study worked with 20 families over 12 weeks. These parents and carers of autistic children aged 13 or under had no prior experience using Heba. Through surveys, focus groups, and interviews, we explored how Heba affected their ability to manage care, navigate resources, and communicate with care teams.

The results speak for themselves:

• 37% improvement in care coordination: Families reported feeling much more capable of coordinating their child’s care, with reported ability levels rising from 65% to 89%.
• 80% improvement in care navigation: Knowing where to turn for support became significantly easier, with access to resources jumping from 40% to 72%.
• 30% improvement in care communication: Confidence in communicating with care teams grew from 60% to 78%.
• 38% reduction in stress: Stress levels among participants dropped dramatically, from 45% at the start to just 28% by the end of the study.

These numbers reflect real change in the lives of families.

What families loved

Parents told us they especially valued Heba for:

• Centralising information about their child’s care in one place
• Personalised support articles tailored to their needs
• Feeling less isolated in navigating their child’s diagnosis

For families new to an autism diagnosis, Heba’s tools made the process feel less overwhelming and more manageable, improving their and their care teams ability to support their child.

Where we're heading next

Of course, there’s always room to grow. Families shared thoughtful feedback about where Heba could improve, such as:

• Integrating more closely with care providers and systems
• Offering clear guidance for new users who were less familiar with digital tools to get started on the app

We’re already working on these areas to make Heba even more effective for the families who rely on us.

Thank you

We’re grateful to Innovate UK for funding this study, as well as Prova Health and Differing Minds for their expertise and support. Most importantly, we’re thankful to the families who participated, sharing their experiences and insights to help us improve.

At Heba, our mission is to empower families with the tools and confidence they need to manage care with less stress and more success. This study is just a first step, and we’re excited to continue learning, growing, and making a difference.

If you’d like to learn more about Heba, download the app yourself here or drop us an email on hello@heba.care - we’d love to hear from you.