What percentage of children and young people with learning disabilities have experienced mental health problems?

From the Guidelines

Approximately 21% to 23% of children and adolescents have a diagnosable mental health or substance use disorder. This statistic is based on a study published in the journal Pediatrics in 2016 1. The study highlights the prevalence of mental health problems among pediatric populations, which is a significant concern.

Key Points

• The prevalence of mental health and behavioral disorders in pediatric primary care settings is between 12% to 22% of children and adolescents 1.
• Among patients of emergency departments (EDs), 70% screen positive for at least 1 mental health disorder, 23% meet criteria for 2 or more mental health concerns, and 45% have a mental health problem resulting in impaired psychosocial functioning 1.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has published a policy statement on mental health competencies and a Mental Health Toolkit for pediatric primary care providers to address the knowledge gaps in this area 1.

Considerations

• Children with learning disabilities often face additional challenges that can contribute to the development of mental health issues, such as communication difficulties, social isolation, bullying, and frustration with academic tasks.
• Early identification and intervention are crucial, as these young people may have difficulty expressing their emotional distress.
• Support should include accessible mental health services, appropriate educational accommodations, social skills training, and family support to address both the learning disability and mental health needs simultaneously.

From the Research

Prevalence of Mental Health Problems in Children and Young People with Learning Disabilities

• The exact percentage of children and young people with learning disabilities who have experienced mental health problems is not directly stated in the provided studies.
• However, a study published in 2012 2 suggests that there is an increased prevalence of mental health disorders in young people with learning disabilities, with higher rates of comorbidity than previously recognized.
• Another study published in 2020 3 focuses on the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for child and adolescent anxiety disorders, but does not provide a specific percentage of children and young people with learning disabilities who have experienced mental health problems.

Risk Factors and Support Needs

• A study published in 2018 4 estimates that learning disabilities affect 5% to 9% of US children and highlights the importance of social exclusion, bullying, poor self-image, and underachievement as risk factors.
• The same study 4 emphasizes the need for physicians to be aware of common tests used to assess for learning disabilities and to recognize the main categories of learning disabilities.
• A study published in 2006 5 discusses the need for cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) to be adapted for people with learning disabilities, taking into account their cognitive impairment and support needs.

Treatment and Interventions

• A study published in 2022 6 suggests that the combination of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) consistently produces greater improvement than either treatment alone for children and adolescents with internalizing disorders.
• The same study 6 highlights the importance of considering patient characteristics, such as age, baseline symptoms, and depressive disorders, when determining the response to combined treatment.