Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common and disabling childhood disorder. During the past several decades, a tremendous amount of research into the etiology of ADHD has been conducted. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder with clinically significant functional impairment that results in higher than normal rates of unintentional injury, emergency room visits, peer problems, low self-esteem, and academic failure (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2017; Hajiaghaee & Akhondzadeh, 2011; Visser et al., 2013).
In the United States, the following statistics provide an overview of this disorder:
- As many as 5% to 12% of school-age children (ages 4 to 17 years) have this disorder, which significantly impairs social, academic, or occupational functioning (CDC, 2017; Maddigan et al., 2003; University of Maryland Medical Center, 2015).
- The percentage of children with an ADHD diagnosis continues to increase (CDC, 2017).
- The median age of ADHD diagnosis is approximately 7 years of age, but children reported by their parents as having more severe ADHD were diagnosed earlier (CDC, 2017).
- The prevalence of ADHD diagnosis varies substantially by state, with Nevada having the lowest incidence and Kentucky having the highest reported rates (CDC, 2017).
- The annual “cost of illness” of ADHD in the United States is estimated to be between $36 and $52 billion. ADHD creates a significant financial burden in medical costs and work loss for patients and family members (CDC, 2017).
The disorder can continue through adolescence and adulthood with up to two thirds of children diagnosed in childhood retaining the diagnosis into adulthood, supporting the recognition that ADHD is a chronic health condition (University of Maryland Medical Center, 2015; Visser et al., 2013).