“Karen’s Noggin’ 🧠 Nuggets” #20 ~ October 3, 2022
WHO HAS ADHD?
?? 1 in 10 ??
Did you know that 1 in 10 people have ADHD? I didn’t know this until I started my classes at the iACTcenter (International ADHD Coach Training Center) in January 2022. I was shocked and surprised by that statistic. That’s a very high percentage of us with Amazingly Divine Human Diversity brains. See “Karen’s Noggin’ 🧠 Nuggets” #19 at www.happybrainlifecoach.com
Our instructor, Laurie Dupar, PMHNP, RN, PCC, CPCC, CALC is a Trained Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Professionally Certified Coach, Certified ADHD Life Coach, Owner, and Director of the iACTcenter.com The International ADHD Coach Training Center presented that information in one of our early classes and that statistic has stuck with me. 1in 10. WOW!
With 1 in 10 children having ADHD, a schoolyard of 100 children means that 10 will likely have ADHD. Now, compare that to the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) estimate that the average school-age child in the United States with Autism is 1 in 54. Autism is a spectrum disorder (ASD) characterized by significant developmental delays with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech, and nonverbal communication. Indeed, a condition worthy of the attention it receives. This means that in a playground, class, park, or field trip of 100 students, there would be approximately 10 with ADHD, and 2 might be impacted with Autism.
Despite some of the similarities between Autism and ADHD, the diagnosis and treatment for autism start as young as one-year-old. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8855-autism# According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Center for Disease Control, ADHD is first assessed by pediatricians at age 3. The numbers can be surprising. Autism has significant impairments that take many years and specialists to treat effectively so the individual can move on and become the most successful adult they can be. However, a much more significant number of persons struggling with ADHD without any diagnosis or treatment for ADHD may begin at three years old.
It’s no wonder the stigma still exists. Awareness is lacking, and understanding, resources, and services are less available. Pediatricians and parents still follow an outdated treatment standard that our young children don’t need to be assessed for ADHD until age three. After that, the potential beneficial treatment to address similar developmental delays in ADHD children begins years later.
ADHD is the most common childhood neurological disorder. It continues to create challenges for most into adulthood, significantly impacting adults’ ability to function in major life areas. I hope that some of these statistics help you and others understand the significance of ADHD and, like Autism, as equally deserving the medical, pharmacological, and financial investment for services and resources for those with this condition.
When we talk about 1 in 10 having ADHD, this includes children and adults globally and includes diagnosed and undiagnosed. As you can imagine, this statistic is a bit conservative. ADHD is extremely common and doesn’t discriminate. It’s the single most challenging disorder for kids and the highest childhood diagnosed disorder. Since people are born with ADHD wouldn’t we want to do everything we can to help these kids as early as possible? ADHD is highly inherited and more so than the determination of your eye color.
It’s interesting to think about when a 16-year-old is diagnosed with ADHD, and the parents are relieved. When an 8-year-old is diagnosed with ADHD, the parents are devastated. Just another reason to bring more awareness to ADHD and help reduce the stigma that exists.
Now that you know that a lot of people have ADHD and since it’s genetic, this is not going away. It will only increase. It’s not something to be ashamed about, it’s how I was born, it’s how you or someone you love was born. It’s what we do with what we know that will help bring more awareness and help reduce the stigma.
If we can just remember and share “1 in 10”, that’s a huge step in the right direction of educating others on ADHD!
For more information on this subject and/or if you would like to work with a Life Coach to work through some struggles or have someone beside you as you navigate this life, contact me at https://happybrainlifecoach.com/
Thank you for reading “Karen’s Noggin’ 🧠 Nuggets” #20 ~ October 3, 2022
