What is ADHD?
ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) is a condition that affects individuals across the lifespan, from childhood to adulthood. It is the most common neurodevelopmental disorder in childhood. The majority of children with ADHD continue to have the disorder into adolescence and adulthood.
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ADHD is a form of neurodiversity: Each individual with ADHD has their unique strengths and presentations because of the different ways their brains develop and work . While ADHD can present challenges, such as inattention (difficulty with focus/attention), impulsivity (acting without thinking about consequences), and hyperactivity (being overly active), support is available for individuals with ADHD to lead full and meaningful lives. Individuals with ADHD can possess different strengths, such as hyperfocus, creativity, and high energy, that they can harness.
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While the exact causes of ADHD are not fully understood, research suggests that it a multifactorial disorder, meaning that there are different factors that can contribute to its development. Some of these factors may include genetics, brain chemistry, birth complications, and toxins. ADHD is highly inheritable and is related to differences in brain development and to the way in which certain chemical messengers (or neurotransmitters) work in the brain. For example, dopamine and norepinephrine appear to be less available in specific regions of the brain in people with ADHD.
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ADHD Diagnosis Statistics (in year 2022)
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It was estimated that 7 million, or 11.4%, children aged 3-17 years had ever been diagnosed with ADHD.
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Boys (15%) were more likely than girls (8%) to be diagnosed with ADHD.
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78% of children of ADHD had at least one other co-occurring behavioral or mental health condition, such as:
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behavioral/conduct problems: 44%​
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anxiety: 39%
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learning disability: 37%
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developmental delay: 22%
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depression: 19%
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speech/language disorder: 15%
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autism spectrum disorder: 14%
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Data Source: https://www.cdc.gov/adhd/data/index.html
Personal Stories on Lived Experiences with ADHD
ADHD is a complex condition that affects each individual differently. It's important to understand that people with ADHD are not just a set of symptoms. To learn more about the different ways in which ADHD presents in children, we recommend learning about the stories of parents and children who have experienced it firsthand.
* Some of the individuals' names have been altered to protect their identities.​
Felice: My experience with ADHD in school
(Understood.org)
"Being a student with ADHD can be overwhelming at times. Listen to Felice’s story about trouble with organization and time management — and being misunderstood. She also talks about how she uses sensory toys to improve focus at school."
"When I was in my PhD program, I was struggling to read a text that I'd read several times before. I had to reread a page four or five times, and I realized that this experience was identical to some of the experiences I had as a child with ADHD except magnified. I hadn't overcome my ADHD. It hadn't gotten better. It had just changed. ”
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A personal story with ADHD, anxiety, perfectionism
"I was diagnosed with ADHD when I was 30. I know that for some people — especially women, whose ADHD symptoms are often overlooked — an ADHD diagnosis can clear things up. When diagnosed as adults, they may look back on school with relief and think, 'That’s why I was struggling.'”
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From the Parents' Perspectives
​​Symptoms of ADHD may be noticeable early in life. Learn about Fionna's experience with her child who manifested ADHD such as hyperactivity, aggression, mood fluctuations, impulsivity, and inability to sit still at three years of age.
Having ADHD does not always mean lack of focus with hyperactivity. Individuals with ADHD may have the ability to hyperfocus on subjects of their interests, in addition to imagination, creativity, curiosity, high intelligence.
Monica's story
My son's point of view how it feels and what it looks like for him showing up with ADHD in his daily life. As a young boy in 7th grade. He feels he has to do everything all at once and cannot concentrate in the classroom. It’s been difficult for him to keep up with assignments. Changing class rooms and teachers he has learned to adapt. Learning something new everyday in class without having enough time for him to practice like one concept in math and then changing to let’s see division the next day. Assignment get built up and behind. My son is also mixed I am white and his father is Mexican. Mixed raced/bi racial I have noticed in this journey a lot of mixed race children do not get treatment. White parents can also seem to be in denial of there child having adhd. Since the medication he takes is working he is better able to concentrate in class and get assignments done. But the downside I have noticed he has lost his fun creative spark at times He’s more serious, and sometimes seems to laughter less. He also felt his teachers would single him out at times before medication. In my family line I have noticed that generations back of mine and up to today would self medicate. Not being able to identify what was going on in their brains I hope through this awareness process we can prevent alcohol and drug use.
Strengths of ADHD
Individuals with ADHD have different strengths that help them do incredible things. Here are some examples:
Hyperfocus
intense focus on a task or interest
for hours on end
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Creativity
divergent thinking, conceptual expansion, overcoming knowledge constraints
- “The Creativity of ADHD” in Scientific American Mind Vol. 30 No. 3 (May 2019)
Outside-of-the-box Thinking
A study on innovative thinking in college students with ADHD
Abundant Energy
Spontaneity
Resilience
Risk-Taking
Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of ADHD
The diagnosis of ADHD considers signs and symptoms that fall into two main categories, (1) inattention, (2) hyperactivity and impulsivity. An individual with ADHD may have signs/symptoms of one or both of the categories. There are other common signs of ADHD that will be discussed below.
It is important to note that an individual with ADHD does not need to have all the symptoms listed below. It is also crucial to consider the age of the individual and behaviors that are considered typical in that age. For example, it is normal for a 2-year-old child to have an attention span of 5 minutes, whereas a five-minute attention span for a 8-year-old child is not typical and can interfere with the child's ability to learn in school and perform daily tasks at home.
ADHD symptoms may be noticeable as early as age 3 years, but they are often not noticed until a child enters school age and struggles with activities demanding a certain level of attention and self-control typical for the child's age. Children with predominantly inattentive symptoms are more likely to go unnoticed than those with predominantly hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. Individuals with high intelligence are also more likely to be diagnosed later on because they are more likely to find ways to compensate for challenges associated with ADHD.​
Diagnostic Signs and Symptoms of ADHD
Inattention
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Making careless mistakes
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Having trouble staying focused in activities (such as reading, conversations, class)
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Not listening closely when spoken to directly
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Not finishing work that has been started
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Failing to meet deadline or not finishing in a reasonable amount of time
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Having difficulty with organizing
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Avoiding tasks that require sustained mental effort
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Getting easily distracted by the environment or by unrelated thoughts
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Being forgetful in daily activities
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Losing things
Hyperactivity
Impulsivity
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Fidgeting or squirming in seat
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Leaving seat when expected to remain seated
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Climbing or running about in situations where it is inappropriate / (in teens or adults) feeling restless
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Having trouble playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly
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Acting as if "driven by a motor", "on the go"
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Talking excessively
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Blurting out answers before others finish questions
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Having difficulty waiting their turn
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Interrupting or intruding on others frequently
Other Common Signs and Symptoms of ADHD
Emotional/Mental Health Challenges
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Anger or irritability
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Getting easily overexcited
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Difficulty with expressing emotions
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Sensitivity to criticism or rejection
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Anxiety, depression, suicidal ideations
Social-Behavioral Challenges
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Behavioral issues at school resulting in suspensions
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Unintentionally aggressive behaviors due to overexcitement
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Difficulty with making friends
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Being bullied
Other possible signs
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little need for sleep, sleep difficulties
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Gastrointestinal problems
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ADHD diagnosis in parents or other close family members
De-stigmatizing ADHD
Explore these common myths surrounding ADHD and contribute to dispelling these misconceptions.
Myth: ADHD is caused by poor parenting.
Fact: ADHD is a difference in how the brain develops and works. It is not due to a lack of discipline or parenting.
Myth: ADHD predominantly affects boys.
Fact: Girls are less likely to diagnosed with ADHD than boys for different reasons. For example, girls with ADHD often have inattentive symptoms that go unnoticed instead of hyperactivity or impulsivity. They might also have coping strategies that mask their symptoms.
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Myth: People with ADHD are not intelligent.
Fact: There is no direct association between ADHD and intelligence. ADHD can affect people across all IQ levels.
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Myth: ADHD only affects children.
Fact: The majority of children diagnosed with ADHD continue to be affected by it into adolescence and adulthood.
Despite the strong support for neurological and genetic etiology of ADHD, many ethnic minority parents do not identify biological causes for childhood disorders, such as ADHD. Additionally, ethnic minority parents may be unaware or misinformed about the persistent nature of ADHD, instead believing that the problems will disappear on their own as the child ages.
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Myth: People with ADHD cannot succeed in life.
There are many successful individuals living with ADHD. With treatment and support, people with ADHD can reach their full potential and their goals in life.
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Myth: Minority children are overdiagnosed with ADHD.
Fact: Children who are racial, ethnic, or language minorities may be less likely to be diagnosed for ADHD due to differences in parental beliefs about ADHD, concerns about potential stigma, and limited access to culturally sensitive primary care or specialty providers including those proficient in the family's preferred language.
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Black children may be underdiagnosed with ADHD because of bias within the classrooms and judicial systems. The contributing factors include a lack of awareness about ADHD in Black families; a lack of social networks; and cultural misconceptions of students’ behavior among teachers, administrators, and health care providers.
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Some evaluators who hold stereotypes that Latinx adolescents are loud and disruptive may be more likely to attend to hyperkinetic and disruptive behaviors than attentive behaviors, resulting in identification of behavior disorders over ADHD.
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Asian children had the highest odds of receiving no treatment for ADHD compared with White children.
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People with ADHD
Here are examples of individuals who are known have an ADHD diagnosis or historical figures who are believed to have ADHD.
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References:
American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, DSM-5-TR, American Psychiatric Association Publishing, 2022.
Brown, Thomas E.. Outside the Box: Rethinking ADD/ADHD in Children and Adults : A Practical Guide, American Psychiatric Association Publishing, 2017.
Early Signs of ADHD in Children. American Academy of Pediatrics. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/adhd/Pages/Early-Warning-Signs-of-ADHD.aspx. Retrieved on May 15, 2024.
6 Strengths and Benefits of ADHD. https://www.chconline.org/resourcelibrary/6-strengths-and-benefits-of-adhd. Retrieved on May 15, 2024.
What Is Neurodiversity? Child Mind Institute. https://childmind.org/article/what-is-neurodiversity. Retrieved on May 16, 2024
8 common myths about ADHD. Understood. https://www.understood.org/en/articles/common-myths-about-adhd. Retrieved on May 16, 2024.
Myths and misunderstandings. CHADD. https://chadd.org/about-adhd/myths-and-misunderstandings. Retrieved on May 16, 2024.