October is ADHD Awareness Month, an annual observance focused on increasing understanding of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and providing accurate information about a condition that affects millions of children and adults. The ADHD Awareness Month Coalition says the observance is intended to share reliable information, elevate the experiences of people with ADHD and improve access to support throughout a person’s life. The coalition includes Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, the Attention Deficit Disorder Association and the ADHD Coaches Organization.
What is ADHD?
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, commonly known as ADHD, is a developmental disorder characterized by ongoing symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity or impulsivity that can interfere with everyday life.
ADHD symptoms begin in childhood, but the disorder does not affect only children. Symptoms can persist through adolescence and adulthood, and the way ADHD presents can change as a person gets older. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that ADHD can look different in adults than it does in children.
How common is ADHD?
Millions of Americans have been diagnosed with ADHD. According to the CDC, an estimated 7 million U.S. children ages 3 to 17, or 11.7 percent, had a current ADHD diagnosis based on data collected in 2024.
Another CDC measure found that 12 percent of children ages 3 to 17 had received an ADHD diagnosis at some point in their lives in 2024. The rate was 15.6 percent among boys and 8.2 percent among girls.
ADHD also affects adults. More than half of adults with ADHD included in a CDC national survey reported receiving their diagnosis during adulthood, illustrating that the condition may not always be identified during childhood.
Why is ADHD Awareness Month important?
One goal of ADHD Awareness Month is to counter misconceptions about the disorder with evidence-based information.
The ADHD Awareness Month Coalition describes awareness as a way to reduce stigma and conflict experienced by people with ADHD. Its 2026 mission emphasizes sharing accurate information, increasing connection and helping people find appropriate support.
Throughout October, the coalition encourages schools, libraries, community organizations and individuals to distribute educational materials, hold programs and direct people to reliable ADHD resources.
The coalition also encourages people with ADHD to share their own experiences. Organizers say combining scientific information with the experiences of people living with the disorder can help families, educators, employers and communities better understand ADHD.
