October is ADHD Awareness Month, the perfect time to go beyond surface-level conversations and take a closer look at what ADHD is and what it looks like across the lifespan. ADHD isn’t a one-size-fits-all condition, one that looks different in every person. As a result, far too many people reach adulthood without ever receiving an accurate diagnosis or the support they need.
Here, we’ll explore the importance of ADHD awareness, take a deeper dive into the types of ADHD, and explore treatment options available at Oakwood Counseling.
What Is ADHD?
ADHD, or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting 11% of school-age children, with symptoms often continuing into adulthood. It’s characterized by developmentally inappropriate levels of inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity.
Is ADHD Common?
According to the CDC, in 2024 more than 7 million children and approximately 15.5 million adults in the U.S. were reported to be affected by ADHD. That makes it one of the most common neurodevelopmental conditions in the nation, and yet, despite how common it is, ADHD remains widely misunderstood, and this misunderstanding has real consequences for the people it affects. Without proper diagnosis and treatment, ADHD can cause issues in school, within families, and at work, as well as lead to depression or even substance use.
Types of ADHD
The cultural image of ADHD – a hyperactive child who can’t sit still in class, an adult bouncing from project to project without finishing – describes only a small aspect of the condition. Symptoms vary significantly depending on a person’s age, gender, and neurological profile, though there are three recognized types of ADHD:
- Inattentive ADHD: difficulty maintaining focus, following through on tasks, and staying organized, often with few or no hyperactive symptoms
- Hyperactive-Impulsive ADHD: excess energy, difficulty sitting still, impulsive speech or actions, with less obvious attention difficulty
- Combined Presentation: the most common type of ADHD, meeting criteria for both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive ADHD
How ADHD Presents Across Age Groups
In Children
In children, ADHD is often first noticed at school, though not always in the ways people expect. Children with hyperactive ADHD symptoms are difficult to ignore, but students with inattentive ADHD, predominantly girls, are quieter, more likely staring out the window while their schoolwork goes unfinished. Inattentive symptoms are far less likely to be flagged by parents, teachers, or medical providers, meaning many children with this type go without diagnosis or support for years.
In Adolescents
Adolescents with ADHD usually show less hyperactivity and may appear as restless or fidgeting. Symptoms of inattention and impulsivity typically continue and may cause academic, organizational, or relationship challenges. Teens with ADHD may also be more likely to engage in impulsive, risk-taking behavior, which is sometimes mistaken for typical teenage behavior rather than recognized as ADHD.
In Adults
Adult ADHD is among the most underrecognized presentations. In adults, hyperactivity is seen in visible physical restlessness from childhood, and this often transitions to internal or emotional restlessness, intrusive thoughts, and difficulty managing competing demands. Adults with ADHD frequently struggle with time management, meeting deadlines, maintaining relationships, and following through on long-term goals, and often don’t understand why.
In fact, an estimated 15.5 million U.S. adults had an ADHD diagnosis in 2023, and approximately half of them received their diagnosis in adulthood, meaning millions of people spent years or decades without answers.
The Gender Gap in ADHD Diagnosis
Girls and women have been historically under-researched, underdiagnosed, and undertreated for ADHD, and are more likely to be undiagnosed than men. This could be attributed to the fact that women are more likely to have inattentive symptoms than hyperactive ones, which may be less likely to lead to a referral and diagnosis. Women with undiagnosed ADHD are also more likely to experience decreased self-esteem, difficulty in peer relationships, increased likelihood of anxiety, and increased changes of developing coping strategies that mask their symptoms, making it even harder for providers to identify.
For many women, a diagnosis in adulthood isn’t just a label. It’s an explanation for a lifetime of confusion, self-blame, and struggling harder than peers for reasons that were never understood.
What an ADHD Evaluation Involves
Getting an accurate diagnosis is the foundation of effective treatment, and that starts with a thorough evaluation. A psychiatric evaluation for ADHD often includes a description of symptoms from the patient and caregivers, completion of scales and questionnaires, and a review of psychiatric and medical history, family history, and information regarding education and environment. For children, input from teachers and other caregivers is also part of the process.
Importantly, it is never too late to seek a diagnosis and treatment for ADHD. Whether a child is struggling in school, a teenager is being written off as unmotivated, or an adult has spent years wondering why focus and follow-through feel so much harder than they seem to for everyone else, an evaluation can provide the clarity that changes everything.
How Oakwood Counseling Can Help
At Oakwood Counseling, our team uses the most current, evidence-based assessment tools to evaluate attention, learning, mood, and developmental concerns. Our psychological evaluation services provide in-depth analyses to diagnose and plan for conditions including ADHD, giving individuals and families a clear picture and a path forward.
We work with children, adolescents, and their families navigating behavioral, emotional, and academic challenges, as well as adults seeking answers for the first time. For families concerned about co-occurring learning challenges, we also offer expert dyslexia testing and evaluation, because ADHD and dyslexia frequently occur together and can be difficult to distinguish without a thorough assessment.
We serve clients in person at our Bryan, Texas office and virtually anywhere in Texas. Insurance is accepted, and our team is here to help you understand your coverage.
Ready to get answers? Reach out to Oakwood Counseling to learn more about our evaluation services or to schedule an appointment. You can also call us at (979) 229-7636.
Sources:
CHADD
ADHD Awareness Month
Boston.gov
October Is ADHD Awareness Month (CDC 2024 Data)
MMWR / CDC
ADHD Diagnosis, Treatment, and Telehealth Use in Adults (2024)
American Psychiatric Association
What Is ADHD?
American Psychiatric Association
ADHD in Adults: New Research Highlights
ADDitude Magazine
3 Types of ADHD
National Institute of Mental Health
ADHD: What You Need to Know (2024)
Frontiers in Psychology
Evaluating ADHD: A Review of Current Methods and Issues (2025)
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is each counseling session?
The standard session is 50 minutes, but we can adjust that for more or less time depending on your needs.
How often should I attend therapy?
Most begin with weekly sessions, but the frequency of your sessions is a decision you make in consultation with your therapist.
Do I need a diagnosis to start therapy?
No. You can start therapy anytime.
Contact Oakwood Counseling – College Station & Bryan, TX
Website: https://www.oakwoodcounseling.com/
Phone: (979) 229 7636
Location:1100 Briarcrest Dr Bryan, Texas 77802
Schedule your ADHD Evaluation today.
