By Sheree Crow, M.Ed. M.LS.
January 1, 2024
Research varies on the topic of ADHD. It is difficult to make sense of. When you spend time online, it seems that everyone has ADHD. The research is developing as it does, so I would like to preface here that what I am saying now, will in fact, change as I find out more information. This is the first article of many on ADHD. I will submit to you the dates of my sources and hopefully you can use your sense to place it in the bin it belongs.
ADHD statistics from the early 2000’s (US)
In 2005, the US Center for Disease Control says that about 7.8% of children and adults are diagnosed with ADHD. Boys have a slight higher chance of being diagnosed than girls. This doesn’t mean that girls have it less though. It means that we are better able to deal with the effects of the disease. By 2011, 15% of the population had the disease.
If your child had severe ADHD, chances are you would know it by the age of 4. If they have mild ADHD, you would know it by 7. The name has changed over time, so keep in mind that ADHD and ADD are the same thing. The chance of your child keeping ADHD long term, they suggested, was about 33%. The suggestion in 2011 was that you could grow out of it. Keep in mind that this has changed significantly.
70% of kids with ADHD are on medication. Therapy helps but with kids this early in the development stage, therapy cannot be the only source of treatment. Parenting kids with ADHD takes more structure and effort. Finding a point to where the kid is functional is the goal. DO not compare them to other students in class. Do not expect perfect days. Just focus on how you teach your child to redirect their own behavior when it pops into their mind.
Race and ADHD
The percentage of black adolescents with ADHD was higher than Hispanics, whites and others. Boys in adolescence were three times more likely to have severe impairment than girls. This was in 2004. In these same years, white adult males were more likely to have ADHD than black adult males. By adulthood, males were only 2 times more likely to have ADHD. We will look into the future
ADHD Statistics from 2016-2019 (US)
In 2019, they suggested that about 6 million, 9.85 of people (adults and children) have been diagnosed with ADHD. The largest population dealing with ADHD at this time are the 12-17 year olds/ BOys are still twice as likely to be diagnosed than young girls. Black and white people are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than any of the other races. The number of children diagnosed have gone down between 2011-2019.
64% of ADHD diagnoses have another mental disorder. 52% have conduct problems. 33% have anxiety and 14% have Autism. Over time, the use in medications reduces, which fits the timeline of development. As the child can develop their frontal lobe, they can begin to live with symptoms. Of the diagnosed some states are only treating 58% of the children with medication. 23% of kids with ADHD are not receiving any kind of treatment. This is not a good thing for the future of the child. The long they live with the condition with no guidance, the more anxiety will impact their lives. Most diagnosed have support at school. By this number, you could conclude that schools are doing more to support students than the parents
Getting a diagnosis
Children on Medicare were more likely to get a diagnosis than those on a commercial medical plan. Insurance will pay for medications but not psychological services. The number reflects a deficiency in services between government and private healthcare. Adults do not have the access to diagnosis that children have at this time.
ADHD Statistics from 2023 (US)
These are still coming out from various organizations but the ADD Resource Group published their findings online.
In 2023, Black (non hispanic) children were still more commonly diagnosed with ADHD than white, hispanic and other. 12% of the diagnosed cases are of Black non-hispanic children.
Louisiana has the highest prevalence to ever be diagnosed with ADHD.Mississippi has the highest number of students to recently be diagnosed with ADHD. California has the lowest prevalence of ADHD. These statistics are positively correlated with the black population in each state. California is only 5% black, Louisiana 32%, and Mississippi is nearly 40% black.
They are saying that as of 2023, up to 78% of children diagnosed, maintain symptoms as an adult. High School graduates with ADHD earn 17% less than those without ADHD.. Those diagnosed with ADHD have a shorter lifespan.
The cost of ADHD to the US economy is estimated at 122.8 Billion in costs due to unemployment, healthcare services and productivity loss.
Getting a diagnosis
People between the ages of 12-17 have the highest prevalence of diagnosis in 2023.. They estimate that 129 Million children worldwide have a diagnosis and 366 million adults. Adult diagnosis is becoming more likely.
In 2023, boys are still more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than girls. 11.9% boys compared to 5.5% girls. Adults are more likely to get overlooked for having ADHD because they do not have access to teachers and educators that monitor their behavior daily. They have statistics about the prevalence in adults but these are difficult to ascertain because other things such as PTSD, and BPD mimic symptoms. Also, you may have comorbid conditions that are more difficult to deal with than ADHD.
Treatment Stats
In 2023, a small amount, only 23% are given treatment for the condition. There are millions of students sitting in classrooms with no treatment and no support at home for the condition. This is worrisome.
The obvious signs that would make you seek a diagnosis are behavior difficulties. I have seen trauma responses also mimic ADHD and that is why I caution the parent from assuming the child has ADHD. Approach your medical providers with symptoms and not diagnosis suggestions.
If your daughter is daydreaming, interrupting conversations, has impulsive behaviors, or is talking too much in class or becoming easily frustrated, then you would seek out a diagnosis for these types of behaviors. The problem with typing in symptoms online and coming up with a diagnosis yourself is that it’s unethical. If you cannot afford to get a diagnosis, seek social services like vocational rehabilitation and school services, community college offices, and the like.
Other considerations
Those with ADHD, who go undiagnosed are more likely to engage in drug abuse to offset symptoms. Also, a certain type of ADHD which forces the person to seek thrilling activities to increase the dopamine levels. ADHD is correlated with sex addiction and other addictive behaviors.
There is a debate currently going on about there being 7 types of ADHD, so I will present to you the arguments and let you decide. The goal of this discussion is to support parents in being able to help their parenting struggles. See these links for information to further your knowledge.
https://www.drakeinstitute.com/7-types-of-add
Sources and other research to consider
HAWTHORNE, S. C. C. (2010). Institutionalized Intolerance of ADHD: Sources and Consequences. Hypatia, 25(3), 504–526. http://www.jstor.org/stable/40928635
ADHD Research from the NIH: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd#:~:text=Prevalence%20of%20ADHD%20Among%20Adults,-Based%20on%20diagnostic&text=The%20overall%20prevalence%20of%20current,all%20other%20race%2Fethnicity%20groups.
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/data.html
2023 Stats Statistics at a glance: https://www.addrc.org/2023-adhd-statistics-at-a-glance/