The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that 1 in 9 American children have received a diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) at some point in their childhood.
Per health officials, the number has increased in recent years, indicating a growing need for assistance.
Why American Children Are Being Diagnosed With ADHD
Data collected in 2024 from a national survey of parents revealed that an estimated 7 million (11.7 percent) U.S. children aged 3–17 years have a current ADHD diagnosis.
An earlier CDC estimate, based on parent surveys from 2022-2023, also showed who is most diagnosed. Boys (13 percent) were more likely than girls (7 percent) to be diagnosed.
Diagnosis also reportedly rose with age: 2 percent of children aged 3 to 5, 10 percent of those aged 6 to 11 and 13 percent of those aged 12 to 17.
Black children (11 percent) and white children (11 percent) were diagnosed more often than Hispanic children (8 percent) or Asian children (3 percent).
The study’s lead author, CDC statistician Melissa Danielson, said the increase was not a surprise because the data was gathered during the COVID-19 pandemic.
She said many diagnoses may have followed evaluations for other concerns, such as anxiety or depression, when clinicians noticed signs of ADHD as well.
“A lot of those diagnoses… might have been the result of a child being assessed for a different diagnosis, something like anxiety or depression, and their clinician identifying that the child also had ADHD,” Danielson said.
What Came From the Health Care System Plan
Approximately 78 percent of children with ADHD have at least one additional problem and 58 percent have a moderate or severe case. Diagnosis and treatment may be made more difficult by this overlap.
44 percent of the youngsters have had behavioral treatment and about half have been administered medication. Approximately one-third have not received any treatment at all.
The researchers said they hope the findings help policymakers and health care systems plan for children with ADHD. The authors called the condition an ongoing and expanding public health concern.
The CDC noted that its figures come largely from parent surveys and that estimates can vary depending on the source.
A higher number of diagnoses also does not by itself show that more children have the condition. Better screening, greater awareness and more evaluations during the pandemic may all have played a part.
Parents who notice persistent trouble with focus, organization or impulse control in their children should talk with a pediatrician, who can recommend a full evaluation.
