ADHD Research News
New ADHD research studies referenced in this week's ADHD in the News:
- Cho, Y., et al. (2026). Benzodiazepine or Z-hypnotic use during pregnancy and risk of psychiatric disorders in children: Population based cohort study. BMJ, 393, e088671. DOI: 10.1136/bmj-2025-088671
- Referenced in “Study Examines if Prenatal Exposure to Sedatives Is Linked to Psych Disorders (MedPage Today, May 1, 2026)”
- Wang, S., et al. (2025). Rates of Depression in Children and Adolescents With ADHD: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Attention Disorders, 29(11), 924–952. DOI: 10.1177/10870547251341597
- Referenced in “Children with ADHD are six times more likely to experience depression (PsyPost, May 3, 2026)”
- Zhao, Y., et al. (2026). Causal relationships between ADHD, ASD and brain structure: A mendelian randomization study. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, 145, 111631. DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2026.111631
- Referenced in “Genetic data reveals how brain structure contributes to autism and attention disorders (PsyPost, May 5, 2026)”
Providers of ADHD Care for Children: Factors Associated With Coordination of ADHD Services With Schools
Journal of Attention Disorders, March 30, 2026, Epub ahead of print
Researchers from the CDC and Lehigh University surveyed 1,047 U.S. primary care providers for children in this study to find out whether coordination of ADHD services occurred between providers and schools. The results of the survey were sorted into three levels of school coordination: (1) no school communication (20.5%); (2) use school information without direct coordination (55.8%); or (3) school intervention coordination (23.7%). The study also examined factors that contribute to the levels of school coordination, such as training needs, provider and practice characteristics, and barriers to diagnosis and treatment. The researchers suggest that school coordination could improve significantly by addressing barriers to ADHD treatment, and that separating providers who need foundational knowledge on ADHD from those who want advanced training may help the efforts to increase training for the providers and reduce barriers to treatment.
Trends in Parent-Reported ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment Among U.S. Children, 2016–2023
Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, published online February 13, 2026
This study analyzed data from the U.S. National Survey of Children's Health (2016–2023) to examine trends in ADHD diagnosis and treatment among children aged 3–17. ADHD diagnosis prevalence estimates remained stable from 2016 to 2019 but increased after the COVID-19 pandemic, reaching 10.5% in 2023. However, overall treatment rates declined during this period, especially medication use, while behavioral treatment remained steady. Increases in diagnosis varied by race, insurance status, and ADHD severity, and sex differences in treatment narrowed over time. The findings highlight a growing gap between diagnosis and treatment, suggesting the need to improve access to ADHD care and reduce systemic barriers to treatment.
Evidence-Based Interventions for ADHD
Evidence-Based Interventions for ADHD is a platform offering an interactive tool based on a meta-analysis of 200+ trials including 50,000+ participants with ADHD. The meta-analysis was recently published in the BMJ. Read a description of the EBI-ADHD platform in the BMJ.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults: evidence base, uncertainties and controversies
World Psychiatry, October 2025, 24(3):347-371
This paper features contributions from prominent ADHD researchers, experts, and advocates, including CHADD’s Board President Jeremy Didier, spokesperson David Goodman, and Professional Advisory Board Member Margaret Sibley. It covers a range of ADHD topics including symptoms, screening and assessment, co-occurring conditions, genetics, treatment, and access to services. In a section titled, “Perspectives from Associations of People with Lived Experience," Didier and Nina Hovén, president of ADHD Europe, share their experience living with ADHD and the need for comprehensive ADHD treatment. The information and resources CHADD provides to support adults with ADHD are mentioned. The paper appears as part of a section titled, “Forum – ADHD in Adults: Current Evidence, Controversies and Future Directions” in the October 2025 issue of World Psychiatry.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Teen Self-Report on Health Behaviors and Social-Emotional Wellbeing: United States, July 2021–December 2022
Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, March/April 2025, 46(2):p e155-e161
The authors used nationally representative data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) and NHIS-Teen from July 2021 to December 2022, to examine teen-reported health and well-being factors, stratified by parent-reported ADHD diagnoses among teens aged 12 to 17 years. Teens with ADHD face distinct challenges related to social-emotional well-being and health behaviors that support overall wellness. Findings may inform opportunities for health promotion among teens with ADHD.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Diagnosis, Treatment, and Telehealth Use in Adults — National Center for Health Statistics Rapid Surveys System, United States, October–November 2023
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), October 10, 2024, 73(40);890–895
In 2023, an estimated 15.5 million U.S. adults had an ADHD diagnosis, approximately one half of whom received their diagnosis in adulthood. Approximately one third of adults with ADHD take stimulant medication; 71.5% had difficulty filling their prescription because the medication was unavailable. Approximately one half of adults with ADHD have ever used telehealth for ADHD services.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children Ages 5–17 Years: United States, 2020–2022
NCHS Data Brief No. 499, March 2024
Data from the National Center for Health Statistics, National Health Interview Survey, 2020–2022, finds that 11.3% of children ages 5-17 in the U.S have ever been diagnosed with ADHD. See the breakdown by age group, race, ethnicity, family income, and insurance coverage at General Prevalence of ADHD.
Who Provides Outpatient Clinical Care for Adults With ADHD? Analysis of Healthcare Claims by Types of Providers Among Private Insurance and Medicaid Enrollees, 2021
Journal of Attention Disorders, March 18, 2024
This study from CDC researchers and CHADD PAB co-chair, Craig Surman, MD, finds that family practice physicians, psychiatrists, and nurse practitioners/psychiatric nurses were the most common providers for adults using employer-sponsored insurance, although the distribution of provider types varied across states. Lower percentages of adults with Medicaid received ADHD care from physicians. Approximately half of adults receiving outpatient ADHD care received ADHD care by telehealth.
ADHD medication and risk of cardiovascular diseases
Commentary by CHADD PAB member, Russell J. Schachar, MD, on Zhang et al. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Medications and Long-Term Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases, JAMA Psychiatry, November 22, 2023.
Trends in Stimulant Prescription Fills Among Commercially Insured Children and Adults—United States, 2016-2021
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, March 31, 2023
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Summary:
What is already known about this topic?
Prescriptions for stimulants, primarily used to treat attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), were increasing for adults before the COVID-19 pandemic. Policies enacted during the pandemic expanded access to prescription stimulants via telehealth.
What is added by this report?
The percentage of adolescent and adult females and adult males receiving prescription stimulant fills increased during 2016-2021, particularly during 2020-2021.
What are the implications for public health practice?
Growing recognition of ADHD in adults and increases in prescription stimulant fills raise questions about current adult ADHD care. Development of clinical recommendations for diagnosing and managing adult ADHD could help guide safe and appropriate stimulant prescribing. Evaluation of policies enacted during the pandemic could identify benefits and harms of those policies.