Rachel V Thomas

Health and Me

Nearly 1 in 7 American Children Had an ADHD Diagnosis in 2025: US CDC

Nearly 1 in 7 US Children Had an ADHD Diagnosis in 2025: CDC

The share of US children aged 5–17 who had ever received an attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (<span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/adhd">ADHD</a></span>) diagnosis increased from 9.9% in 2019 to 13.8% in 2025, according to new <span>CDC</span> data.

Nearly 1 in 7 children and adolescents aged 5–17 in the US have received an <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/adhd" data-type="tilCustomLink">ADHD </a> diagnosis, according to a QuickStats report published in the CDC's latest <span>Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report</span> (MMWR).

The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) found that the percentage of children who had ever been diagnosed with ADHD increased by 3.9 percentage points over the seven years, representing a relative rise of approximately 39%.

More boys received the diagnoses than girls throughout the period, although the trends fluctuated from year to year.

<h2>ADHD Diagnoses Among US Children: Trends From 2019 to 2025</h2>

<strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/adhd-linked-to-71-higher-risk-of-death-suicide-and-injuries-among-top-concerns-article-156375921" data-type="tilCustomLink">ADHD Linked To 71% Higher Risk Of Death; Suicide And Injuries Among Top Concerns</a>

According to the CDC data, the percentage of US children and adolescents aged 5–17 who had ever received an <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/adhd">ADHD</a> diagnosis</span> rose from 9.9% in 2019 to 11.6% in 2020. It dipped to 10.8% in 2021 before increasing to 11.5% in 2022.

The figure climbed to 13.4% in 2023, 13.6% in 2024 and 13.8% in 2025.

Among boys, the percentage increased from 13.2% in 2019 to 17.5% in 2025, reaching a high of 17.6% in 2024.

Among girls, it rose from 6.5% in 2019 to 9.9% in 2025, although it dipped from 9.9% in 2023 to 9.3% in 2024.

The estimates are based on household interviews with a sample of the civilian, noninstitutionalised US population. The survey considered children to have an ADHD diagnosis if a parent or respondent answered yes to whether a doctor or health professional had ever told them the child had ADHD or attention-deficit disorder (ADD).

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects attention, executive function, impulse control and activity levels. It typically begins in childhood, with symptoms appearing before age 12, and can persist into adulthood.

<strong>Read More: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/attention-deficit-may-be-the-wrong-way-to-understand-adhd-says-us-psychiatrist-article-156322455" data-type="tilCustomLink">Attention Deficit May Be The Wrong Way To Understand ADHD, Says US Psychiatrist</a>

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), ADHD symptoms fall into two primary categories:

<ul><li><strong>Inattention:</strong> Difficulty sustaining focus, missing details, making careless mistakes, forgetfulness in daily routines and struggling to stay organised.</li><li><strong>Hyperactivity and impulsivity:</strong> Fidgeting, excessive talking, restlessness, interrupting others and acting without thinking. In adults, hyperactivity may also manifest as internal restlessness.</li></ul>

<h2><span rel="noindex">AAP</span> Guidance on ADHD Evaluation and Treatment in Children</h2>

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) 2019 clinical practice guideline recommends that primary care clinicians initiate an ADHD evaluation for children and adolescents aged 4–18 who present with academic or behavioural problems and symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity or impulsivity.

The guideline recommends assessing children using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria, based on information from parents, teachers and other school personnel.

It also calls for screening for coexisting emotional, behavioural, developmental and physical conditions.

For preschool-aged children, parent training in behaviour management is recommended as a first-line approach.

For school-aged children and adolescents, the AAP recommends FDA-approved medication alongside behavioural and school-based interventions. It also emphasises managing ADHD as a chronic condition, with ongoing monitoring and follow-up.

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The share of US children aged 5–17 who had ever received an attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis increased from 9.9% in 2019 to 13.8% in 2025, according to new CDC data.Nearly 1 in 7 children and adolescents aged 5–17 in the US have received an ADHD  diagnosis, according to a QuickStats report published in the CDC's latest Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) found that the percentage of children who had ever been diagnosed with ADHD increased by 3.9 percentage points over the seven years, representing a relative rise of approximately 39%.More boys received the diagnoses than girls throughout the period, although the trends fluctuated from year to year.ADHD Diagnoses Among US Children: Trends From 2019 to 2025Also read: ADHD Linked To 71% Higher Risk Of Death; Suicide And Injuries Among Top ConcernsAccording to the CDC data, the percentage of US children and adolescents aged 5–17 who had ever received an ADHD diagnosis rose from 9.9% in 2019 to 11.6% in 2020. It dipped to 10.8% in 2021 before increasing to 11.5% in 2022.The figure climbed to 13.4% in 2023, 13.6% in 2024 and 13.8% in 2025.Among boys, the percentage increased from 13.2% in 2019 to 17.5% in 2025, reaching a high of 17.6% in 2024.Among girls, it rose from 6.5% in 2019 to 9.9% in 2025, although it dipped from 9.9% in 2023 to 9.3% in 2024.The estimates are based on household interviews with a sample of the civilian, noninstitutionalised US population. The survey considered children to have an ADHD diagnosis if a parent or respondent answered yes to whether a doctor or health professional had ever told them the child had ADHD or attention-deficit disorder (ADD).    What Is ADHD?Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects attention, executive function, impulse control and activity levels. It typically begins in childhood, with symptoms appearing before age 12, and can persist into adulthood.Read More: Attention Deficit May Be The Wrong Way To Understand ADHD, Says US PsychiatristWhat Are the Symptoms of ADHD?According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), ADHD symptoms fall into two primary categories:Inattention: Difficulty sustaining focus, missing details, making careless mistakes, forgetfulness in daily routines and struggling to stay organised.Hyperactivity and impulsivity: Fidgeting, excessive talking, restlessness, interrupting others and acting without thinking. In adults, hyperactivity may also manifest as internal restlessness.AAP Guidance on ADHD Evaluation and Treatment in ChildrenThe American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) 2019 clinical practice guideline recommends that primary care clinicians initiate an ADHD evaluation for children and adolescents aged 4–18 who present with academic or behavioural problems and symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity or impulsivity.The guideline recommends assessing children using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria, based on information from parents, teachers and other school personnel.It also calls for screening for coexisting emotional, behavioural, developmental and physical conditions.For preschool-aged children, parent training in behaviour management is recommended as a first-line approach.For school-aged children and adolescents, the AAP recommends FDA-approved medication alongside behavioural and school-based interventions. It also emphasises managing ADHD as a chronic condition, with ongoing monitoring and follow-up.