ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. CDC reports that about 7 million U.S. children (11.7%) had a current diagnosis in 2024, and estimates that 6.0% of adults did in 2023. There is no single test. A trained clinician looks at symptoms, history, and other possible causes, and treatment and daily support can make life easier for many people.

Key takeaways

  • NIMH describes ADHD as a lasting pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity and impulsivity that makes it hard to function in at least two areas of life, such as home, school, or work.
  • CDC's 2024 parent survey found about 7 million children ages 3 to 17 (11.7%) with a current ADHD diagnosis. CDC estimates 6.0% of adults had one in 2023.
  • There is no single test. Clinicians use DSM-5 criteria, gather history from several people, and check for other conditions that look similar.
  • For children under 6, CDC says the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends parent training in behavior management first. For ages 6 and up, CDC describes medication and behavior therapy together.
  • Support works best when it is steady and specific: routines, small steps, praise, school involvement, and for adults, treatment follow-up and workplace accommodations.

What is ADHD?

CDC and NIMH both describe ADHD as a condition whose symptoms usually begin in childhood and often continue into the teen years and adulthood. The symptoms fall into two areas:

  • Inattention: daydreaming a lot, losing things, careless mistakes, trouble finishing tasks or following instructions, and being easily distracted.
  • Hyperactivity and impulsivity: fidgeting, trouble sitting still, restlessness, interrupting, trouble waiting a turn, and taking risks.

CDC describes three presentations: mostly inattentive, mostly hyperactive-impulsive, and combined. Because symptoms can change over time, a person's presentation may change too.

How common is ADHD?

CDC's data page reports about 7 million children ages 3 to 17 (11.7%) with a current diagnosis, based on a 2024 national parent survey. In 2022 to 2023, 13% of boys and 7% of girls had been diagnosed. State estimates of a current diagnosis ranged from 6% to 15% in 2020 to 2023.

CDC also found that about 6 in 10 children with ADHD had moderate or severe symptoms in 2022, and nearly 78% had at least one other condition, such as a behavior problem or anxiety. About 30% of children with current ADHD received neither medication nor behavior treatment in 2022, up from 23% in 2016.

For adults, CDC estimates 6.0% had a current diagnosis in 2023, and more than half were diagnosed as adults. Our post on ADHD in adults goes deeper on that.

How is ADHD diagnosed?

CDC says there is no single test, and that diagnosis is a multi-step process. Only trained healthcare providers can diagnose ADHD. A mental health professional (such as a psychologist or psychiatrist) or a primary care provider can do it.

At a high level, CDC says clinicians use the American Psychiatric Association's DSM-5. The main points are:

  • Number of symptoms. Six or more symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity for people up to age 16. Five or more for people 17 and older.
  • Duration. Symptoms have been present for at least 6 months.
  • Age of onset. Several symptoms were present before age 12.
  • Settings. Symptoms show up in two or more settings, such as home, school, work, or with friends.
  • Impact. There is clear evidence that the symptoms interfere with social, school, or work functioning.
  • No better explanation. The symptoms are not better explained by another condition.

For children, CDC says the process includes a medical exam with hearing and vision tests, and information from parents, teachers, and other caregivers about behavior at home, at school, and with peers. Sleep disorders, anxiety, depression, and certain learning disabilities can look like ADHD, so providers consider them. CDC also notes that school systems offer free evaluations for children 3 and older.

For adults, childhood history matters. NIMH says a provider may talk with a partner, family, or friends, review school records, and use interviews, rating scales, and psychological tests.

How can I support a child with ADHD?

CDC says treatment depends on age. For children under 6, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends parent training in behavior management as the first step, before medication. For children 6 and older, CDC describes medication and behavior therapy together. CDC also says schools can be part of the treatment, and that parents, providers, and teachers can work from one plan.

CDC's tips for families are simple and practical:

  • Keep a consistent daily routine.
  • Limit choices to a few options so they are not overwhelming.
  • Break tasks into smaller steps.
  • Use praise or rewards for progress.
  • Support healthy habits, including good food, physical activity, and enough sleep.

Questions about medicine, such as which kind or what strength, belong with the child's prescriber.

How can I support an adult with ADHD?

NIMH says effective treatment can make day-to-day life easier for many adults and their families. You can help in ways that respect their independence:

  • Offer to talk through a plan. NIMH lists ADHD or life coaching for executive function skills, regular exercise, and therapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy as options.
  • Help them seek an evaluation if they want one. NIMH says it is never too late to get a diagnosis and treatment.
  • Respect workplace needs. CDC says people with ADHD can request workplace accommodations from their employer, and NIMH says some may qualify under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
  • Take medication problems seriously. In CDC's 2023 adult survey, 71.5% of stimulant users reported trouble filling a prescription because the medicine was not available.

What if the medication is hard to find?

A pharmacy that is out of stock can derail a good treatment plan. Our ADHD medication shortage status post shows what FDA's list says right now. Needle phones pharmacies on your behalf and reports which ones say they have the exact drug, strength, and form on your prescription. You can start a search at app.findneedle.co. Please do not change your dose or switch products without your prescriber's guidance.

Frequently asked questions

Is ADHD only a childhood condition?

No. CDC and NIMH say symptoms start in childhood but often continue into adulthood, and many adults are diagnosed later in life. NIMH notes that symptoms in girls and women are especially likely to have been missed early.

Who can diagnose ADHD?

According to CDC, a mental health professional such as a psychologist or psychiatrist, or a primary care provider such as a pediatrician, can diagnose ADHD. The first step is to talk with a healthcare provider about the symptoms.

Is there a blood test or brain scan for ADHD?

CDC says there is no single test for ADHD. Providers rely on a symptom review, history from several people, a medical exam for children, and ruling out other conditions.

What are the main ADHD presentations?

CDC describes three: predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive, and combined. Symptoms can shift over time, so the label may change.

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