Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has long been considered a condition of childhood. However, new data reveals a broader picture that spans age, gender, and social context.Â
As of 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that roughly 1 in 9 children in the United States has received an ADHD diagnosis. That figure, drawn from the National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH), reflects over 7.1 million children. By comparison, in 2016, that number was closer to 6 million. This signals new challenges, growing public awareness, and a pressing need to rethink how ADHD is identified and supported in both kids and adults.
A Closer Look at ADHD in Children
The CDC-led NSCH study aimed to measure ADHD prevalence, symptom severity, and co-occurring conditions in U.S. children aged 3 to 17. Its results show that 10.5% of children currently live with ADHD. Just under 60% of those children have symptoms rated as moderate or severe. Additionally, nearly 78% have at least one co-occurring condition, such as anxiety, depression, or learning disabilities.
This growing prevalence reflects several contributing factors:Â
- Advances in screening tools and broader public awareness mean more children are being evaluated.Â
- Clinicians are better equipped to recognize the inattentive and internalized symptoms that often present in girls.Â
- Historically, boys were diagnosed at more than twice the rate of girls, largely due to more visible hyperactive behaviors. But that gap is narrowing.
Another factor is the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted education, daily routines, and mental health support. Children under stress exhibited symptoms that, upon evaluation, revealed underlying ADHD. At the same time, remote learning environments may have magnified attention struggles that were previously manageable.
The Expanding Definition and Recognition of Adult ADHD
The rise in childhood diagnoses is only part of the story. Adults are increasingly receiving ADHD diagnoses, often for the first time. According to an October 2024 report from the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics, 6% of U.S. adults, or about 15.5 million people, currently live with ADHD. More than half were diagnosed at age 18 or older.
This growing recognition of adult ADHD follows years of anecdotal evidence and mounting concern. Many adults, particularly women, discover their diagnosis through a child’s evaluation. In some cases, symptoms that were masked by coping strategies in youth become disruptive in adulthood, especially under stress.
Between 2016 and 2021, stimulant prescription fills among adults rose significantly. A CDC study tracking insurance claims data found especially sharp increases during the first year of the pandemic. Women between the ages of 15 and 44 saw the largest jump, suggesting more adults were seeking care as remote work blurred the boundaries of productivity and attention.
What Is Driving the Rise in Diagnoses?
Several overlapping trends help explain why more people are being diagnosed with ADHD.
Changes in diagnostic criteria, particularly those introduced in 2013, expanded how ADHD is defined. The updated standards reduced the number of symptoms needed for a diagnosis and clarified how they must appear across multiple areas of life. This allowed for more accurate diagnoses in individuals whose symptoms did not align with traditional hyperactivity models.
Cultural awareness has also grown. Social media, podcasts, and digital forums have played a role in demystifying ADHD. People are more willing to ask questions and seek professional evaluation, especially when they see their own experiences reflected in others.
The pandemic’s impact on daily functioning added another layer. Working parents balancing job responsibilities with homeschooling obligations found it harder to stay focused, organized, and emotionally regulated. For some, this highlighted preexisting but unmanaged symptoms.
Increased access to telehealth services meant that more people could complete ADHD evaluations without the barriers of transportation, scheduling, or provider shortages. However, this accessibility came with variability. Some platforms offered short quizzes or minimal evaluations, raising concerns about overdiagnosis or inappropriate prescribing.
The Gender and Equity Gap in ADHD Diagnosis
Despite the rising numbers, disparities remain. Boys are still diagnosed more frequently than girls, though the difference is narrowing. Girls often exhibit symptoms such as inattentiveness or hyperfocus, which are less disruptive and more likely to be misinterpreted as personality traits rather than signs of ADHD.
Racial and socioeconomic gaps persist as well. The 2022 NSCH data found that ADHD was more prevalent in children from lower-income households, publicly insured families, and rural communities. Non-Hispanic White and Black children were more likely to be diagnosed compared to Hispanic and Asian children. Language barriers, cultural stigma, and unequal access to specialists may all contribute to underdiagnosis in certain groups.
How to Improve Diagnosis, Support, and Access
There is a growing consensus among professionals that the next step must be clearer, more consistent care. Until recently, the United States had no formal clinical guidelines for diagnosing and treating ADHD in adults. The American Professional Society of ADHD and Related Disorders is expected to release its first national guidelines for adult care soon.
Experts hope these standards will reduce misdiagnosis, promote earlier intervention, and ensure that stimulant medications are prescribed responsibly. Just as importantly, they may help destigmatize ADHD by treating it as a manageable, lifelong condition and not just a childhood issue.
For children, public health advocates are calling for increased behavioral therapy access, school-based support, and family education. These tools can help manage symptoms and reduce long-term risks, which include higher rates of depression, anxiety, substance use, and chronic illness in adulthood.
The rising numbers may seem alarming, but they also reflect a step forward. Recognition is the first step toward relief.
How We Support ADHD Assessment at Zeam
At Zeam Health & Wellness, we understand how overwhelming it can feel to seek answers for attention challenges, especially when symptoms affect daily life, relationships, and emotional well-being. That is why we offer comprehensive ADHD assessment and testing for both children and adults.
Our providers serve clients across Folsom, Roseville, Sacramento, and online, making access to care as convenient as possible. We evaluate symptoms with precision, listen with care, and develop treatment plans that work for real lives.
If you or a loved one has questions about ADHD, we encourage you to reach out. We are here to guide you through the process and help you move forward with clarity and support.
