According to the United Nations, COVID-19 created the largest disruption to the education of children in history [1].
In the U.S. alone, nearly 60 million students abruptly transitioned to remote learning. The World Bank estimates that school closures will result in a loss of between three months to 1.1 years of schooling [2]. On average, children lost three months of mathematics education and 1.5 months of reading education. This translates to a loss in lifetime earnings per student of between $6,680 to $32,397.
Children with neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDDs) such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), or intellectual disability (ID) found remote learning particularly challenging. These students require established routines, relationships, and professional support, as well as a range of inclusive and specialized educational services. These students also benefitted from non-academic school-based services that were sorely missing during the pandemic, such as food programs, childcare, mental health and disability support, and extracurricular activities. This paper explores remote learning’s impact on children with NDDs and what insurers can do to help.
The global prevalence of ADHD is estimated by various sources to be between 2% and 7% of the total population, with an average of 5% across all countries. In the U.K., a research survey of 10,438 children between the ages of 5 and 15 found that 3.62% of boys and 0.85% of girls had ADHD. In South Africa, ADHD affects approximately 1 in 20 youngsters, while in China a recent meta-analysis puts the prevalence of ADHD among children and adolescents at 6.26%. Boys are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than girls.
A study of adolescents with ADHD and their adaptation to remote learning during the initial stay-at-home order found that 31% of parents of students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or students receiving academic accommodations (504 Plan) reported remote learning to be very challenging. This compares to 18% of parents of adolescents with ADHD without an IEP/504 Plan and only 4% of parents of adolescents with neither ADHD nor an IEP/504 Plan.
The study also revealed that online schooling and video conferencing may not be an appropriate platform for children with preexisting attentional issues. Remote learning led to increased screen time, fewer routines, and diminished ability to concentrate. Students experienced increased restlessness, problems with sleep, eye impairment, and are at greater risk of obesity. Mental health symptoms included anxiety, depression, loneliness, difficulty in managing change, added stress, and an increase in suicidal thoughts. Parents reported their children having more emotional problems with anger and irritability, leading to more outbursts of aggression. Many found it difficult to cope with the ever-changing rules around mask wearing and social distancing.
Researchers in China asked 183 children diagnosed with ADHD to complete a questionnaire, after which subjects were divided into two groups: high difficulties during online learning (HDOL) and low difficulties during online learning (LDOL). The HDOL group experienced significant symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity as well as behavioral and emotional problems such as oppositional defiant disorder. The HDOL children also showed more inattention-related behaviors, more severe emotional problems, executive function (EF) impairment, and weaker learning motivation. They spent significantly more time on both video games and social software per day and less time on other activities.
Over 47.5% of parents in this study reported that the attention of their children became worse during online learning. Approximately 43% of parents reported the efficiency and completion of homework declined, possibly due to lack of ability to organize and plan (related to EF). In general, impaired self-control and behavioral inhibition from EF produced poor management of digital media usage by children with NDDs.
For all children, the longer-term impacts of remote learning on morbidity and mortality are largely unknown, but it is clear some could be significant. For example, a recent study found that children’s physical activity has decreased during the pandemic, ranging between −10.8 min/day up to −91 min/day [3]. A decrease in physical activity for children can lead to obesity or heart issues later in life. Ongoing monitoring of children’s mental and physical health challenges stemming from remote learning must therefore remain a priority. Insurers could potentially play an important role in this and help mitigate both short-term and long-term harm, via wellness support and expanded coverage, as well as community outreach initiatives.
For children with NDDs, who require additional developmental support that comes at significant educational and medical expense, insurance protection could be especially beneficial. Innovative insurance products could help families cover these costs. This is already happening in Asia, where lump sum payments are made upon diagnosis of various NDDs, including autism, intellectual disability, ADHD, and some learning disorders. Progress starts with wider recognition of NDDs from an insurance perspective with an emphasis early diagnosis and intervention. For more significant NDDs, the needs of the caregiver should also be acknowledged and supported. These protection gaps offer insurers an opportunity to help find meaningful solutions.
The insurance industry is already making a big impact through community engagement initiatives. Examples include the following:
Summary
All children faced challenges during the pandemic with the sudden switch to remote learning, but children with NDDs appeared to have suffered more and continue to do so. Pre-existing attentional and perception issues were exacerbated by increased screen time and a suspension of needed support services. Life and health insurers can play a meaningful role in meeting the needs of these children and adolescents moving forward – via community outreach, wellness initiatives, and innovative product development. Though the pandemic may have passed its peak, its ripple effects will continue to impact people’s health and wellbeing, especially among the most vulnerable.
