About ADHD

What it is

ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disordersA of childhood.

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 Awareness Toolkit

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

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 hyperactive-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.

Risk factors

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

• Genetics1
• Exposure to environmental risks (for example, lead) during pregnancy or at a young age2
• Alcohol and tobacco use during pregnancy3 and other pregnancy-related factors4
• Child health conditions, including head injuries5
• Parental mental health6 and family environment7

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.

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

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.

Data and Statistics on ADHD

CDC's latest data on ADHD in children.

ADHD Materials and Resources

Provides free materials and resources about ADHD.

Resources and tools

• CHADD's National Resource Center on ADHD
• U.S. ADHD Prevalence and Treatment Estimates
• ADHD in the Classroom
• ADHD in Adults
• ADHD Articles