Economic Burden of Developmental Disorder Treatment in Korea and Various Overseas Policies: A Study on the...

Developmental disorders are characterized by delays in motor skills, language, cognition, emotional regulation, and social abilities. The most common conditions within this category include intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum disorder, which not only impact individuals and families but also have broader effects on the socioeconomic system. Despite the necessity of early detection and intensive treatment for developmental disorders, limited coverage by the national health insurance system in South Korea imposes a significant financial burden on families.

In this study, a structured survey was conducted on 105 caregivers of infants and children younger than six with developmental disorders, 52 medical doctors (child and adolescent psychiatrists, pediatricians, and rehabilitation physicians), and 51 treatment specialists to assess the economic circumstances related to developmental disorder treatment.

Among 105 children (68.6% male), most initiated treatment between ages 2 and 4, with speech therapy (88.4%) and sensory therapy (64.0%) being the most utilized services. Although Applied Behavior Analysis had the highest session intensity and cost, its voucher utilization was remarkably low (2.4%), contributing to a significant perceived financial burden, with 72.4% of caregivers reporting high burden (mean score 3.99/5). Consequently, specialists reported a discrepancy between recommended and accessible treatments due to costs, rating the reasonableness of current voucher fees at only 1.98 out of 5.

Given the substantial financial burden, the introduction of new policies and revisions to existing policies are urgently needed to support the treatment costs for individuals with developmental disorders.