We all know that taking care of a child is not easy, and it comes at a cost. But if your child has ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, these costs can be a little higher than you might expect. With things like frequent doctor visits, medication, and behavioral therapy, the list of expenses is quite long. Not only that, but there are also expenses that we don't think about as much. For example, things like school supplies that are constantly lost and having to buy books over and over again. So, without worrying about this, let's talk about how to understand this situation and deal with it.
What are the main costs of treatment?
A child with ADHD often needs both medication and behavioral therapy to manage the condition. This means regular visits to the doctor and therapist. There are several major costs that come with this.
| Expense type | Things to know about this |
|---|---|
| Meeting the doctor | Your child may need the help of several people, including a pediatrician, a child psychiatrist, and a psychologist. Although these services are free at a government hospital, some parents turn to the private sector due to factors such as waiting lists. Then, channel fees and costs for special tests (e.g., neuropsychological testing) are added. |
| Medicines (drugs) | Some medications prescribed for ADHD can be quite expensive. Although these are available free of charge from government hospitals, sometimes they are out of stock. In that case, you have to buy them from private pharmacies. If you don't have insurance coverage, you may have to set aside a significant amount of money each month for medications. |
| Behavioral Therapy | This is a very important part of ADHD management. These treatments can help identify and manage your child's behavior patterns, focus, and organize daily activities. However, since these services are often privately provided, they can be expensive, including the cost per session and the monthly cost. |
Other expenses we don't even think about
In addition to doctor's fees and medications, there are several other hidden costs. While these may not seem like a big deal at first, they can add up over time.
Additional expenses for education
Children with ADHD sometimes need special support with learning tasks.
- Tutoring: You may need to take extra classes to cover the lessons you miss at school.
- Special learning equipment: You may also have to spend money on software, apps, or special books that make learning easier.
- Specialist support: You may also need the help of speech therapists or occupational therapists. These are also additional costs .
Accidents and injuries
Children with ADHD are more likely to have minor accidents due to their restlessness and impulsivity. Things like falling while climbing a tree or running while bumping into someone may happen more often.
Especially if a young child with ADHD drives a vehicle, the risk of accidents due to distraction is higher. This can lead to vehicle repairs, fines, and higher insurance premiums.
Items that are constantly lost
This is a very familiar experience for parents of children with ADHD .
You've probably heard things like, "I left my water bottle at school today!" "This is the third eraser I've bought this month."
From pencils, pens, erasers, books, to shoes, water bottles, and lunch boxes, things keep getting lost. Buying these things over and over again can become a significant expense over time.
What can be done to reduce this cost burden?
Don't worry after hearing all this. There are things we can do to ease this financial burden a little.
1. Talk to the school
It is very important to inform the school principal, class teacher or teacher about your child's condition. Explain how this condition affects your child's learning and talk about the support that can be received from the school. Some schools have special education units. Through this, they will be able to provide the child with the special attention or support that he or she needs. This will help you reduce the cost of tuition classes to some extent.
2. Be careful when buying medicines.
Talk to your doctor and ask if there are any cheaper generic versions of the medication you've been prescribed. Sometimes there are cheaper versions of the same medication that work the same way. Also, check prices at several pharmacies to find the one that offers the lowest price.
3. Look for low-cost and free services
- Government hospitals: You can get free treatment and counseling services from mental health clinics and pediatric clinics in government hospitals. Although you may have to wait a while, this is the best option.
- University clinics: Some clinics affiliated with medical faculties may offer low-cost or free consultation and therapy services. Check these out as well.
- Non-governmental organizations: Non-governmental organizations working on child mental health also sometimes provide services at subsidized rates.
The most important thing is to understand that you are not alone in this journey. There are support groups for parents of children with ADHD in Sri Lanka on social media. Join them and share your experiences with other parents. You can learn a lot from how they deal with these challenges.
Take-Home Message
- The costs of caring for a child with ADHD are not limited to medications and doctor's fees. Be aware of hidden costs, such as education and lost items.
- It's very important to have a financial plan. Get a rough idea of how much you'll spend each month.
- Talk openly with the school about the support your child needs. There may be ways they can help.
- Always talk to your doctor about cost-effective options. Never stop or change medications without medical advice.
- This journey can be challenging, but with the right awareness, planning, and support, you can successfully overcome this challenge.
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