ADHD in Children

Key points

• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood.
• Symptoms start in childhood and often last into adulthood.
• Identifying signs and symptoms of ADHD can help lead to a diagnosis, which is a process with several steps.
• CDC works with partners to collect data on ADHD, allowing us to better understand diagnosis, treatment patterns, and co-occurring conditions for children and adults with ADHD.

What it is

ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders

ADHD is usually first diagnosed in childhood and often lasts into adulthood. Children with ADHD may have trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviors (may act without thinking about what the result will be), or be overly active.

ADHD Partner Toolkit

Find and share ADHD resources using CDC's partner toolkit.

Keep ReadingOther Concerns and Conditions with ADHD

Types

There are three different ways ADHD presents itself, depending on which types of symptoms are strongest in the individual at the time of diagnosis:

• Predominantly **inattentive **presentation
• Predominantly h****yperactive-impulsive presentation
• **Combined **presentation (a combination of inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms)

Signs and symptoms

It is normal for children to have trouble focusing and behaving at one time or another. However, for children with ADHD the symptoms continue, can be severe, and can cause difficulty at school, at home, or with friends.

ADHD symptoms can change over time

Symptoms can change over time and might increase when the demands of daily life increase. The way ADHD symptoms present may change over time as well.

Keep ReadingSymptoms of ADHD

Risk factors

The causes of ADHD are unknown, but scientists have identified some possible risk factors

• Genetics
• Exposure to environmental risks (for example, lead) during pregnancy or at a young age
• Alcohol and tobacco use during pregnancy
• Child health conditions, including head injuries
• Parental mental health

See AlsoCDC is working to help identify possible risk factors for ADHD

Diagnosis

If you are concerned about whether your child might have ADHD, the first step is to talk with a healthcare provider to find out if the symptoms fit an ADHD diagnosis. The diagnosis can be made by a mental health professional, like a psychologist or psychiatrist, or by a primary care provider, like a pediatrician.

There is no single test to diagnose ADHD

Talk with a healthcare provider first. Deciding if someone has ADHD is a process with several steps. Many other problems, such as anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and certain types of learning disabilities, can have similar symptoms to ADHD.

Keep ReadingDiagnosing ADHD

Treatment and managing symptoms

In most cases, ADHD is best treated with a combination of behavior therapy and medication. For preschool-aged children (4-5 years of age) with ADHD, behavior therapy, particularly training for parents, is recommended as the first line of treatment before medication is tried. What works best can depend on the child and family. Effective treatment plans will include close monitoring, follow-ups, and making changes, if needed, along the way.

Managing symptoms: Staying healthy

Being healthy is important for everyone and can be especially important for people with ADHD. In addition to behavioral therapy and medication, having a healthy lifestyle can make it easier to deal with ADHD symptoms. Here are some healthy behaviors that may help:

• Developing healthy eating habits such as eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and choosing lean protein sources
• Participating in daily physical activity based on age
• Limiting the amount of daily screen time from TVs, computers, phones, and other electronics
• Getting the recommended amount of sleep each night based on age

Keep ReadingTreatment of ADHD

What CDC is doing

CDC works with partners to learn more about ADHD symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options to help inform and promote effective strategies. These efforts include collecting, analyzing, and sharing findings from nationally representative data to understand diagnosis, treatment patterns, and co-occurring conditions for children and adults with ADHD. CDC also provides information to states to help guide decision-making.

CDC funds the National Resource Center on ADHD (NRC), a program of CHADD–Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, to support evidence-based resources, trainings, and a live helpline on ADHD for individuals and families, educators, and providers across the US to access. CDC also works with partners to provide free, on-demand education trainings for healthcare providers.

Helpline information

The NRC operates a call center (1-866-200-8098) with trained staff to answer questions about ADHD.

Data on ADHD in Children

CDC's latest data on ADHD in U.S. children.

Free Materials on ADHD

Free materials and resources on ADHD.

Resources

• CHADD's National Resource Center on ADHD
• Scientific Articles about ADHD

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