Primer text from The College of William & Mary

ADHD is one of the most commonly diagnosed conditions of children (Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, 2015).

In a 2016 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study, scientists found that 6.1 million children aged 2-17 years living in the U.S. had been diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which is similar to previous en
Ages 6-11: Approximately 2.4 million children
Ages 12-17: Approximately 3.3 million children

Primer text from The College of William & Mary

ADHD is one of the most commonly diagnosed conditions of children (Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, 2015).

In a 2016 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study, scientists found that 6.1 million children aged 2-17 years living in the U.S. had been diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which is similar to previous en
Ages 6-11: Approximately 2.4 million children
Ages 12-17: Approximately 3.3 million children

The diagnostic term attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) refers to individuals who display patterns of inattention, impulsivity, and overactive behavior that interfere with daily functioning (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013).


The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) V (APA, 2013) criteria for diagnosing ADHD list
three types of ADHD and the accompanying characteristics.


Predominantly inattentive type.
The student may:
o submit inaccurate or incomplete work,
o have difficulty attending to conversations, activities, or tasks,
o be easily distracted,
o have difficulty following directions,
o frequently lose materials, and/or
o have difficulty organizing tasks and materials.


Predominantly hyperactive/impulsive type.
The student may:
o Appear to be in constant motion,

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 6.4 million children between four and 17 years of age have been diagnosed with ADHD as of 2011.

This primer is designed to help you understand ADHD at a deeper level and combat misconceptions.

Fact: An ADHD diagnosis requires observations of numerous symptoms in multiple settings and evidence of significant impairment.