It is common for working parents to have children with support needs. The National Institute of Health estimates that more than 1 in 6 children and teens experience mental health or neurodivergence. This means that anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism, dyslexia, dysgraphia, tourettes, and other symptoms like sensory processing challenges are very common in today’s youth. Approximately 20% of children have a known, diagnosable condition. Many others have lesser symptoms that still have an impact.
These children need school services like Section 504 plans or IEPs. Their parents often miss work because of children’s school challenges and other therapies or treatments. Parents and children experience a high level of stress, poor sleep, and social and academic dissatisfaction.
As psychologists, we know a lot about these conditions. Here are some key facts:
- Early intervention is crucial to making progress for autistic children, those with dyslexia and other needs
- Parents report that they wait years to figure out what is really going on for their children
- Traditional in-office psychotherapy is not effective for treating ADHD in children
- Parent training and education is most effective for kids with ADHD
- ADHD is the most common condition among 3 to 17-year-olds with almost 10% of children being diagnosed as of 2019
- While 6 million children had ADHD in 2019, anxiety is just behind, with 5.8 million children experiencing significant anxiety
- 15% of adolescents had had a major depressive episode (before the pandemic)
- These numbers are only increasing post-pandemic
- Parents report that understanding their children, getting answers, and feeling capable of helping with behavior, school, and social needs makes a huge difference
Care-related absenteeism among working adults is estimated to range between 44 and 65 billion dollars annually. These losses are due to working parents’ need to provide care to their families. We all know that employee wellness and productivity starts at home. When an employee is feeling stressed out, losing sleep, and meeting the needs of inpatient and outpatient care for family members, they are not at their best at work.
ADHD and anxiety, being the most prevalent, have the biggest cost to families. An estimated 6K per child is spent on services and lost wages every year. Since 20% of children have these diagnoses, more of your employees are impacted than you may know.
It is important that employers offer employees benefits that they can use immediately when they are first concerned. They need resources that address challenges like ADHD, anxiety, behavior, mood, dyslexia, and autism. When a child’s symptoms are being treated, they attend school consistently, they sleep well, and family life at home is more peaceful.
Check out Cadey’s case studies of families who were tasked with understanding and managing needs of ADHD, autism, anxiety, dysgraphia, and behavior problems. See how Cadey helped those families find harmony, peace, and productivity.