Taking care of kids can be pricey. But when you have a child with ADHD, the costs may be even higher because of regular doctor visits, prescription medications, and therapy. Then there are costs you don't think about, such as replacing frequently lost items and hiring a caregiver if your child is sent home from school. Educational and prescription drug copays add up, too.
According to a 2022 study, the total yearly excess costs associated with ADHD were estimated at $19.4 billion for children, or $6,799 per child, and $13.8 billion for teens, at $8,349 per teen.
Costs of Treatment
Your child will likely need prescription medication, along with behavioral therapy, to help them manage symptoms. That means regular trips to the doctor and therapist’s office. According to a 2019 study by researchers at Florida International University:
Doctor visits. The average out-of-pocket cost can range from several hundred dollars to over $2,700. This depends, in part, on who’s treating your child and the types of neuropsychological testing they do. It’ll likely be a pediatrician, child psychiatrist, and a psychologist. Most insurance companies pay for basic doctor visits. But they may not cover extensive evaluations, which can cost thousands of dollars.
Drugs. Without insurance or discounts, medication can range from $8 to $288 a month. For example, commonly prescribed generic stimulants cost about $187.97 for one month’s supply before insurance kicks in. Your copay depends on your insurance plan, if you have one.
Therapy. Behavioral therapy is an important part of ADHD treatment. But it can cost anywhere from $200 to $2,000, depending on the therapist, program, and the number of sessions. Insurance may cover part of it. Most plans pay for 20 behavioral therapy sessions a year.
Other Costs
Costs not related to treatment add up, too:
Accidents and injury. Teens with ADHD tend to have higher car accident rates. This leads to out-of-pocket expenses to fix damage, fines, tickets, and higher car insurance premiums,.
Academic support. Education -- including educational software, tutoring, and extra books -- contributes to almost half the yearly excess costs of caring for a child with ADHD: 59% for children ($11.6 billion) and 48.8% for teens ($6.7 billion)
Lost belongings. Kids with ADHD often lose belongings and school supplies that need to be replaced.
How to Save Money
The good news is there are things you can do to lighten the financial load. They include:
Ask the school district to test your child. Ask your school’s principal for an educational evaluation in writing. Be sure to include the school psychologist or guidance counselor, and the head of special education. If they agree and the evaluation shows your child has ADHD that impacts their ability to learn, the school is required by federal law to help. That means providing behavioral therapy and other support. You can then send the evaluation to your child’s pediatrician or psychiatrist, who can review and prescribe medication.
Shop around for prescriptions. Pharmaceutical companies often have medication assistance programs to help with medication costs. Some websites help you find the best prices for prescription drugs and offer coupons. The national nonprofit Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) offers a free discount prescription card as a membership benefit that has a savings benefit of up to 75%.
Look into low-cost clinics. Your city or county may have mental health centers that can help with ADHD evaluation and treatment on a sliding scale. The amount you pay is based on your income. Some hospital-based clinics also offer services on a sliding scale or treatment by interns or residents (brand new doctors) at a lower cost.
