How Many People Have ADHD ?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - "ADD" or "ADHD" - affects about five percent (8%) of the children in the United States, and about three percent (5%) of all adults in the USA. In 2006, the National Health Care Survey estimated that 4.5 million children (5-17 years old) had been diagnosed with ADHD.

This number has grown over the past twenty years as (1) the tools for diagnosing ADHD have improved and (2) more girls with ADHD : Inattentive Type are being identified and helped rather than just ignored as in the past.

How Big of a Problem is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?

About 35% of all children referred to mental health clinics are referred for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD. It is one of the most prevalent, and most studied, of all childhood psychiatric disorders.

You may see published estimates stating that Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder may effect as much as 20% of children in America, but these numbers are not really supported by research data, and are probably inflated for the purpose of trying to sell something.

The 8% number is a solid number supported by research. In years past we have conservatively stated 5% as the solid number. But now the National Institute of Mental Health is estimating 7% of children with ADHD. The 2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey estimated 8.2% and the 2003 National Survey of Children's Health estimated 7.8%.

In 2006 the CDC's report on Diagnosed Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Learning Disability: 2004-2006 reported 8.4% of children with ADHD : 4.7% of children with ADHD without any Learning Disabilities; and 3.7% of children with ADHD and a LD of some type. The same study also estimated 4.9% of children had a LD, but no ADHD. This study reported that boys are twice more likely than girls to have ADHD without a LD, and about twice as likely as girls to have both ADHD and a LD.

At 8% each classroom in America will have two, maybe three ADHD kids in the class. So it is a very real, and very significant problem across America.

Why Does It Seem That There Are More Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Than Before?

The percentage of people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is increasing slightly each year, but here are some likely reasons why it seems that "there is more ADHD" than ever before:

• You are more aware of problems like this as a parent than you were as a child. You have grown up now;
• The news and entertainment media have talked about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder a lot more than in the past, raising your awareness level;
• Children who were Drug Exposed in utero, or Fetal Alcohol Syndrome children have many of the same problems as children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and are often misdiagnosed by physicians as being ADD ADHD.
• When used, there are some great diagnostic tools today that were not available in the past.