ADHD Statistics, Trends, and Facts for 2024

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects people of all ages, often starting in childhood and continuing into adulthood. It’s more than just being restless or struggling to focus—ADHD can make everyday tasks, school, or work a real challenge. Kids with ADHD may find it hard to sit still, control impulses, or stay on task, which usually becomes noticeable during their early school years.

While ADHD can’t be cured, getting a diagnosis early and following a tailored treatment plan can make a big difference. With the right support and strategies, both children and adults can learn to manage their symptoms and thrive.

The number of people diagnosed with ADHD is rising, not just because of better access to healthcare, but also due to reduced stigma about mental health issues and increased awareness. Parents, teachers, and healthcare professionals are now more alert to the signs of ADHD, leading to more people seeking help and understanding their condition better.

Let’s learn about the latest ADHD statistics and find out why early diagnosis and proper treatment are so important for children and adults alike.

ADHD in Children Aged 5–17: United States, 2020–2022

Take a closer look at the recent numbers on ADHD among children in the United States from 2020 to 2022, highlighting key trends and patterns over these years.

1. ADHD Prevalence by Sex and Age

According to the data brief from the National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH), between 2020 and 2022, 11.3% of children aged 5–17 were diagnosed with ADHD at some point. Boys were more frequently diagnosed with ADHD than girls, with 14.5% of boys affected compared to 8.0% of girls. This trend was consistent across both age groups, 5–11 and 12–17 years. (1)
For both boys and girls, ADHD prevalence was lower in children aged 5–11 (8.6%) compared to those aged 12–17 (14.3%). (1)
In the 12–17 age group, 14.3% were diagnosed with ADHD, with boys (17.9%) more affected than girls (10.4%). This difference may stem from how ADHD symptoms present differently, potential referral biases, and instances of misdiagnosis or delays in diagnosing girls. (1)

2. ADHD Rates by Race, Ethnicity

Among children aged 5–17, White non-Hispanic children had a higher ADHD diagnosis rate (13.4%) compared to Black non-Hispanic children (10.8%) and Hispanic children (8.9%). (1)
In children aged 12–17, ADHD prevalence was higher among White children (17.0%) compared to Black (13.0%) and Hispanic (11.7%) children. (1)
ADHD prevalence was higher in children aged 12–17 compared to those aged 5–11 across all racial and Hispanic-origin groups. (1)

3. ADHD prevalence by Income and Age

For children aged 5–17, ADHD prevalence decreased as family income rose. It was 14.8% among children from families earning less than 100% of the federal poverty level, compared to 10.1% for those from families earning 200% or more of the federal poverty level. Although the exact reasons remain unclear, studies suggest that factors like financial challenges and parents’ marital status may influence the likelihood of diagnosis. (1)
Children aged 5–11 were less likely to have ADHD compared to those aged 12–17 across all family income levels. (1)

4. ADHD Prevalence by Insurance, Age

In children ages 5–17, ADHD prevalence was highest among those with public insurance (14.4%) and lowest among uninsured children (6.3%). (1)
Among children aged 5–11, those with public insurance had the highest ADHD prevalence (11.6%), while differences between privately insured (6.8%) and uninsured children (5.9%) were not significant. (1)
For children aged 12–17, ADHD prevalence was highest among those with public insurance (17.6%), followed by those with private insurance (12.8%) and the uninsured (6.7%). (1)

Key Facts About ADHD in Adults

Globally, an estimated 2%–5% of adults experience symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), such as inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. While ADHD can sometimes be overdiagnosed or misdiagnosed, it is actually more common for the condition to go undiagnosed in adults. (2)
Approximately 6.0% of adults in the U.S. had a current ADHD diagnosis in 2023, which is roughly one in 16 people, or about 15.5 million adults. Over half of adults with ADHD (55.9%) were diagnosed during adulthood, at age 18 or older. (2)
Adults with a current ADHD diagnosis were more likely to be under 50 years old, with 84.5% falling in this age group, compared to 51.2% of those who had never been diagnosed. (2)
About one-third of adults with ADHD used stimulant medication for treatment in the past year, and out of those, 71.5% faced challenges in filling their prescriptions due to unavailability. (2)
At the time of the survey, around one-third of adults with ADHD (36.5%) were not receiving any treatment, while another one-third (35.2%) were receiving both medication and counseling or behavioral therapy. Approximately half of adults with ADHD have used telehealth services for ADHD-related care at some point. (2)

Additional Concerns and Conditions Associated with ADHD

A national parent survey in 2022 revealed that nearly 78% of children with ADHD also had at least one other co-occurring condition. (3)
Nearly half of the children diagnosed with ADHD also had a behavior or conduct disorder. (3)
Approximately 4 out of 10 children with ADHD also experience anxiety. (3)
Children with ADHD are also commonly affected by other conditions such as depression, autism spectrum disorder, and Tourette syndrome. (3)

ADHD Treatment

In 2022, nearly 2 million children in the U.S. with ADHD did not receive treatment specifically for the condition. ADHD treatment options often involve behavior therapy and medication, with recommendations tailored to the child’s age to ensure the most effective approach. (3)
The total number of children receiving behavioral treatment rose from 2.5 million in 2016 to 2.8 million in 2022. Behavior therapy for ADHD can help improve a child’s behavior, self-control, and self-esteem. It is especially effective for young children when parents are actively involved in delivering the therapy. (3)

ADHD Children Receive Diverse Services

ADHD has various treatment options, and the most effective approach often depends on the individual, their family dynamics, and their environment. (3)
Many children with ADHD receive care from primary care providers like pediatricians or family doctors. Nurse practitioners and psychiatric nurses also play a key role in managing ADHD care for children. (3)

ADHD Diagnosis Rates by State (2016-2019)

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), between 2016 and 2019, approximately 14% of children and adolescents aged 3 to 17 in Louisiana were estimated to have been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) at some point in their lives. (4)

Final Thought

Understanding the landscape of ADHD, from childhood ADHD to adult ADHD, is crucial in shaping effective treatment and support systems. The National Comorbidity Survey Replication shows that ADHD is not a one-size-fits-all condition; it ranges from mild ADHD to severe ADHD, and the challenges associated with it often extend beyond attention-related mental disorders.

Diagnosed at an average age during the early school years, many children with ADHD also face learning disabilities, behavioral or conduct problems, and even conditions like generalized anxiety disorder or substance abuse disorder as they grow older. Early intervention and support from a health care provider-diagnosed approach, tailored through tools like the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, are essential for managing symptoms effectively.

Data from resources such as the National Health Interview Survey and the National Center highlight that while medication treatment and behavioral therapies can be effective for many, comprehensive care is needed for others, especially for school-age children and those with moderate ADHD.

Effective disease control requires a nuanced understanding of these complexities and a multi-dimensional approach that includes both ADHD medication and behavioral support. Only through continued research and health statistics can we better address the needs of those with this neurodevelopmental disorder, ensuring improved outcomes for both children and adults.