This post is part of a series of highlights from Cleo’s Family Health Index Annual Report.

Parents and caregivers’ mental health is at a critical level

65% of parents of neurodivergent children are at higher risk for burnout.

Compared to our book of business average of around 33% of parents and caregivers at higher risk for burnout, this statistic is extra alarming given that it’s a 97% increase in burnout likelihood.

Cleo’s specialized LifePaths reveal significantly higher levels of burnout among parents and caregivers, with parents of neurodivergent children being the highest-risk group, followed by parents caring for a child with cancer or a chronic condition, or navigating an end-of-life journey. This highlights the uniqueness of every parenting and caregiving journey and underscores the critical need for personalized Support Plans that are tailored to each family’s unique LifePath journey.

Parenting neurodivergent children is different than parenting neurotypical children

The milestones, communication, and overall needs for neurodivergent children are different, and therefore can provide additional and complex care challenges for parents without the proper support. With such a wide range of conditions encompassing neurodivergence — such as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Tourette’s Syndrome, dyslexia, Bipolar disorder, and more — proactive and individualized support is essential to ensuring that these parents and their families get the specific care they need to reduce stress and thrive.

Parents need specialized, proactive support

Cleo’s LifePath model provides members with this proactive support through personalized guidance from Cleo’s Guides and Specialists as well as a digital experience tailored to their complex care journeys. Our neurodivergence specialists get to the root of issues that these parents may be facing, and help coach them to and through the care they need.

By pairing these Family Health Index insights with our proactive care model, Cleo can get to the root of mental health issues and help alleviate the healthcare and workforce productivity impact. After Cleo’s intervention, 70% of members that were at higher risk for burnout improve their overall health and Family Health Index score.