Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Among Children

The percentage of children ever diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder increased from 1998 through 2009 among both boys and girls, among children in most racial and ethnic groups and among children with family income less than 200 percent of the poverty level.

Published by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics in August 2011, the data brief reports that the percentage of children ever diagnosed with ADHD increased from 7 percent to 9 percent. ADHD prevalence varied by race and ethnicity, but differences between groups narrowed from 1998 through 2009. White children had higher ADHD prevalence and Mexican children had the lowest prevalence.

Prevalence estimates are based on parental report of child diagnosis. The data are from interviews conducted by U.S. Census Bureau representatives.

Read the report.