Instant Genius Why ADHD is so challenging to diagnose
May 7, 2026
Prof Ellie Dommett, neuroscientist at King’s College London studying ADHD and non-drug interventions. She unpacks diagnostic categories, why many are diagnosed late, and how inattention can include both poor focus and intense hyperfocus. She discusses exercise, mindfulness, workplace adjustments, comorbidity and research priorities for more personalized care.
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Visibility Bias Explains More Boys Diagnosed In Childhood
- Childhood diagnosis skews male because hyperactive behaviours are more visible to teachers, while girls often present as quietly inattentive.
- Research bias toward boys shaped diagnostic criteria, creating underdiagnosis in females.
Prevalence Differs By Age And Detection
- Worldwide prevalence estimates: ~6–7% of children and ~2–3% of adults diagnosed, though up to ~6% of adults show elevated symptoms without diagnosis.
- Rising diagnosed numbers reflect better recognition, not necessarily higher incidence.
Parents Miss ADHD Without A Frame Of Reference
- Parents sometimes miss ADHD because they lack a frame of reference and assume one child's behaviour is just normal for that family.
- A parent with only one child told Dommett they just thought he was lively until comparisons revealed atypical behaviour.