Age of Onset:

• Based on data from the National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH), the median age of onset for children with current ADHD was 6 years, and severity of the disorder often correlates with the age at diagnosis. 

• • • The median age of diagnosis for severe ADHD was 4 years.
    • The median age of diagnosis for moderate ADHD was 6 years.
    • The median age of diagnosis for mild ADHD was 7 years.

---

 

Prevalence of ADHD Among Adolescents:

• Based on diagnostic interview data from National Comorbidity Survey–Adolescent Supplement (NCS-A), the figure below shows the lifetime prevalence of ADHD among U.S. adolescents aged 13 to 18 years.
  • The lifetime prevalence of ADHD was 8.7%.
  • Nearly half of all cases showed severe impairment (4.2%). 
  • ADHD affected three times as many males (13.0%) as females (4.2%).

---

 

Prevalence of ADHD Among Adults:

• Based on diagnostic interview data from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R), the figure below shows the estimated prevalence of adults aged 18 to 44 years with a current diagnosis of ADHD.
  • The overall prevalence of current adult ADHD is 4.4%. 
  • Prevalence was higher for males (5.4%) versus females (3.2%).
  • The non-Hispanic white group (5.4%) had a higher prevalence than all other race/ethnicity groups.

*Data above is available via the National Institutes of Mental Health @ https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd.shtml

Virginia:

Percent of youth ever diagnosed with ADHD (NSCH) :

2003:  9.3%

2007:  10.2%

2011:  11.8%

Virginia: Percent of youth ages 4-17 being medicated for ADHD (NSCH) :

2007: 4.8%

2011: 6.6%

*Data collected from CDC @ https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/medicated.html