ADHD on the Rise in the United States

The National Center for Health Statistics released a new report today on the prevalence of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in the United States. Confirming recently published private studies, ADHD, the most commonly diagnosed childhood psychiatric disorder, is on the rise.

The NCHS study found the percentage of children ever diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) increased from 7 percent to 9 percent from 1998–2000 through 2007–2009; that non-Hispanic white children had higher ADHD prevalence compared with all other race groups; and, Mexican children had the lowest prevalence. The report also confirmed that the prevalence is higher among boys than it is girls.

The NCHS report also included more specific geographic and income-based information. For example, the Midwest and South regions of the U.S. experienced a higher than normal increase in ADHD prevalence during this period, as did children who live below the poverty level and those whose income is between 100 and 199 percent of the poverty level.

While the exact cause of ADHD is not known, evidence to date indicates that there are many underlying factors that lead to the inattention, impulsiveness and hyperactivity seen in ADHD, among them social causation, as well as genetic and neurobiological vulnerabilities.

On average, at least one child in every classroom in the United States needs help for ADHD. More than half of ADHD children will continue to display characteristics of the disorder throughout adolescence and adulthood.

The results of the NCHS research closely match those of a decade-long study from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released in May of this year. Conclusions from the CDC included the rising rates of developmental disabilities among American children, which increased by 17 percent between 1997 and 2008. The most notable upticks in occurrence were with autism and ADHD.

Utilizing data from annual National Health Interview Surveys for years the 1997-2008, CDC researchers also found that boys had a greater likelihood of having a developmental disability than girls; Hispanic children were less likely to be diagnosed with a number of such disabilities than both white and black children; and, children having public insurance, such as Medicaid, were more likely to be diagnosed with disabilities than those having private insurance.

Since all children show some of the behaviors associated with ADHD, at one time or another, a diagnosis requires that the behavior is at such an elevated degree that it is inappropriate for the child’s age. The symptoms must also be persistent and present in a number of settings; at home, in school or during extracurricular activities. It is important to have a professional diagnosis of a child suspected of having ADHD.

If your child has been observed, evaluated, and found to be suffering from ADHD, the next step is treatment. There are a wide range of treatment protocols, ranging from psychotherapy and behavioral therapy, to social skills training and drug therapy.