Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects an estimated 4% to 12% of children worldwide,1 making it one of the most common neurobehavioral disorders for children. But ADHD isn’t just a children’s disorder. It can affect adults as well, and ADHD prevalence has risen over the last twenty years. Here are some important things to know about ADHD.
ADHD Facts
ADHD is defined by a lack of attention to anything that the affected deems interesting or unimportant. Those who suffer from ADHD may struggle in school, have difficulty focusing on things, and become easily distracted.
Generally speaking:1,2,3
- About one-third of children diagnosed with ADHD carry their diagnosis into adulthood.
- In 2011, 6.4 million children in the United States (aged 4-17) were diagnosed with ADHD.
- A 2014 study showed that 9 out of 10 students diagnosed with ADHD received school support, including classroom accommodations and help. 6 out of 10 of those children had received some type of behavioral training.
ADHD Rates by Age
Most ADHD cases are found in children. While hyperactivity, impulsiveness, and inability to focus are all normal traits for children, children with ADHD suffer more extreme symptoms. It is also possible to be diagnosed with ADHD as an adult.
The following are statistics on ADHD pertaining to age:1,3
- The median age of diagnosis in children is 6 years old. This means that 50% of children diagnosed with ADHD were diagnosed by the age of 6.
- The median age of severe diagnosis in children is 4 years old. This means that 50% of children diagnosed with severe ADHD were diagnosed by the age of 4.
- In 2001 to 2004, 8.7% of adolescents were diagnosed with ADHD (teens aged 13 to 18).
- In 2001 to 2003, about 4% of adults had ADHD.
- In a 2013 study, children aged 12 to 17 made up the largest percentage of ADHD diagnoses (11.8%). Children aged 6 to 11 made up 9.5%, and children aged 4 to 5 made up 2.7%.
ADHD Rates by Gender
There are definitive differences in the rate of ADHD cases between men and women with ADHD.
A deeper look shows that:1,2
- ADHD affects three times as many males as females.
- In one study, 12.9% of boys were diagnosed with ADHD, while 5.6% of girls were diagnosed.
ADHD & Co-Occurring Diagnoses
ADHD can occur alongside other disorders like depression, anxiety, or autism. Co-occurring disorders can be either symptoms of a larger disorder or the results of societal, cultural, or other expectations.
Whether co-occurring diagnoses are a symptom of ADHD or just a related issue, research shows that:2,3
- According to a 2016 parent study, 5 in 10 children with ADHD had a behavior problem. In that same study, 3 in 10 had anxiety.
- The CDC states that depression and autism spectrum disorder can also affect those diagnosed with ADHD.
- Another 2016 study found that 2 out of 3 children had at least one other co-occurring disorder. 1 in 6 children with ADHD suffered from depression while 1 in 7 children with ADHD had autism spectrum disorder.
Has There Been an Increase in ADHD Diagnosis?
As mental health awareness increases, there seems to be a higher prevalence of ADHD cases in both children and adults.
It is hard to know if this apparent increase in ADHD diagnosis is because there has been a genuine increase in the number of people with ADHD, or if the methods to diagnose have become more thorough:1,4
- Between 2003 and 2011, the percentage of children ever diagnosed with ADHD raised from 7.8% to 11%.
- Prevalence is now at 10%, according to a 2018 study.
- ADHD has a genetic component, but doctors and researchers are looking into whether environmental factors like prenatal exposure to lead, pesticides, and other harmful materials may be affecting rates of ADHD in children.
Treatment for ADHD
Treatment for ADHD can range from medication to behavioral training. Most methods are fairly successful.
ADHD is a highly treatable disorder, and many are seeking treatment:1,2
- Medication for inattentiveness and hyperactivity is the most effective treatment for children with ADHD.
- Nearly 70% of children with ADHD are taking medication for their symptoms.
- In a 2016 national parent study, 47% of children aged 2 to 17 years old received behavioral treatment. In that same study, 62% of children were taking medication.
- Of the 77% receiving treatment in the same study, 30% were treated with medication alone, 15% had behavioral treatment alone, and 32% received both.In one study, children aged 2 to 5 years that were covered by Medicaid were twice as likely to receive treatment for ADHD symptoms compared to similar kids under a commercial plan.
For Further Reading
There are plenty of resources for parents of children with ADHD, including how to find treatment, support, and classroom advocacy. Here are several resources.
- Children and Adults With ADHD (CHADD)
- ADDitude Magazine’s Resources for Parents
- Child Mind Institute’s Parent Guide to ADHD
- Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA)
- Best ADHD Books
