When I speak with school leaders, the first question is often: "Is ADHD really that common here?" The honest answer: yes, and probably more than we notice.
What the studies say
- A 2024 review notes that studies estimate ADHD prevalence in India at 5–8%, with some estimates as high as 11%.
- A study in Hyderabad (published October 2024) screened 700 children aged 5 to 12 using a teacher rating scale. 9.57% showed signs of ADHD, and boys outnumbered girls about 3 to 1.
- A study in Bengaluru of 3,120 children in 18 schools found a much lower rate, 1.3%. The authors linked the low number partly to a lack of awareness among teachers and parents.
- Worldwide, a well-known review (Polanczyk et al., 2007) estimated ADHD in about 5% of children.
Why do the numbers differ so much?
Different studies use different tools, ages and definitions. Some screen with teacher checklists; others need a full clinical assessment. A low number can also mean that children are missed, not that ADHD is rare.
What this means for your school
If 5% is a fair estimate, then in a class of 40 students, about 2 children may have ADHD. In a school of 1,000 students, that could be 50 children, most of them not yet identified.
That is why awareness matters:
- Train every teacher to recognise the signs (see Not Naughty, Not Lazy).
- Create a simple referral path: teacher notes → coordinator → parents → doctor or psychologist.
- Build support into ordinary teaching, so that every child benefits, diagnosed or not.
Behind every percentage is a child who is either understood or blamed. Schools decide which.
Sources: Hyderabad prevalence study, Annals of Child Neurology (2024); Bengaluru prevalence study (3,120 children); International Journal of Indian Psychology (2024, 2025); Polanczyk et al. (2007), American Journal of Psychiatry.
This article is for education and awareness. It is not medical advice. Only a qualified doctor or psychologist can diagnose ADHD.