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 is ADHD?
ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders A 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.
What is ADHD?
Information on ADHD and where to find additional resources.
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ADHD Partner Toolkit
Find and share ADHD resources using CDC's partner toolkit.
Keep Reading Other Concerns and Conditions with ADHD
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.
ADHD symptoms start in childhood and can continue into adulthood, but they may look different in adults.
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)
Keep Reading Symptoms of ADHD
Risk factors
The causes of ADHD are unknown, but scientists have identified some possible risk factors.
Genes play an important role in a person's risk of ADHD.
Possible risk factors include:
Genetics 1 Exposure to environmental risks (for example, lead) during pregnancy or at a young age 2 Alcohol and tobacco use during pregnancy 3 and other pregnancy-related factors 4 Child health conditions, including head injuries 5 Parental mental health 6 and family environment 7
See Also CDC is working to help identify possible risk factors for ADHD
Diagnosis
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.
Did you know?
There is no single test to diagnose ADHD.
Talk with a healthcare provider first
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.
Talk with a healthcare provider first if you think your child might have ADHD.
Keep Reading Diagnosing 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.
In most cases, ADHD is best treated with a combination of behavior therapy and medication.
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 Reading Treatment 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 develop evidence-based resources, trainings, and a live helpline on ADHD for individuals and families, educators, and providers across the United States.
CDC also works with partners to provide free, on-demand education trainings on ADHD for healthcare providers.
ADHD Helpline
The NRC operates a call center ( 1-866-200-8098 ) with trained staff to answer questions about ADHD.
Resources
CHADD's National Resource Center on ADHD Scientific Articles 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.
On This Page
What is ADHD? Symptoms Risk factors Diagnosis Treatment and managing symptoms What CDC is doing Resources
Oct. 21, 2026 Sources and Page Info Print Share
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National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities About This Page
Published: May 15, 2024
Updated: October 21, 2026 This page was last updated on this date. Updates may include minor edits, image changes, or other modifications to page content.
Reviewed: October 21, 2026 The information on this page was last reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy.
Footnotes Neurodevelopmental. Having to do with the way the brain grows and develops.
References Faraone SV, Banaschewski T, Coghill D, et al. The World Federation of ADHD International Consensus Statement: 208 Evidence-based conclusions about the disorder. Neurosci Biobehav Rev.
2021;128:789-818. Dimitrov LV, Kaminski JW, Holbrook JR, et al. A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Chemical Exposures and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children.
Prev Sci. 2023;25:225-248. Maher BS, Bitsko RH, Claussen AH, et al.
Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Relationship Between Exposure to Parental Substance Use and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children. Prev Sci. 2023;25:291-315.
Bitsko RH, Holbrook JR, O'Masta B, et al. A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Prenatal, Birth, and Postnatal Factors Associated with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children. Prev Sci.
2022;25:203-224. So M, Dziuban EJ, Pedati CS, et al. Childhood Physical Health and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Modifiable Factors.
Prev Sci. 2022;25:316-336. Robinson LR, Bitsko RH, O'Masta B, et al.
A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Parental Depression, Antidepressant Usage, Antisocial Personality Disorder, and Stress and Anxiety as Risk Factors for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Children. Prev Sci. 2022;25:272-290.
Claussen AH, Holbrook JR, Hutchins HJ, et al. All in the Family? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Parenting and Family Environment as Risk Factors for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Children.
Prev Sci. 2022;25:249-271.
Sources American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Beyond Screen Time: Help Your Kids Build Healthy Media Use Habits. Available at: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/Media/Pages/healthy-digital-media-use-habits-for-babies-toddlers-preschoolers.aspx.
Accessed on October 24, 2024.
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