How Many U.S. Children Are Neurodivergent? Key Stats to Know in 2025

What Does “Neurodivergent” Mean?

Neurodiversity refers to the natural range of neurological differences that influence how people think, learn, and process the world around them. It includes conditions such as:

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Specific Learning Disabilities (SLDs) like dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia
Tourette’s syndrome, dyspraxia, and other neurodevelopmental conditions

Rather than being seen solely as disorders to fix, these differences are now increasingly understood as part of the broad spectrum of human brain diversity.

Quick Summary

About 1 in 31 (or ~3%) of 8-year-old children in the U.S. are identified with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), according to CDC estimates.
An estimated 7 million children (11.4%) aged 3–17 in the U.S. have ever been diagnosed with ADHD, while 6.5 million (10.5%) currently have an ADHD diagnosis.
0.6%–2% of children may experience Tourette’s syndrome or persistent tic disorders, depending on screening methods
In the 2022–23 school year, 7.5 million students - or 15% of all U.S. public school students - received special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Of these, 32% have Specific Learning Disabilities (SLDs) - about 2.4 million students
Only 9% of students with disabilities are proficient in reading (Grade 8)
30–50% of students with ADHD also have a learning disability
Combined, about 20% of children may be neurodivergent in some form

How Many Kids Have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental condition that affects how people communicate, interact socially, and process information. The spectrum includes a wide range of strengths and challenges - some children may require intensive support, while others need only minimal accommodations.

According to the CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network:

In 2023, an estimated 1 in 31 children (3.2%) aged 8 years was identified with ASD.
In 2000, that rate was just 1 in 150. This reflects a nearly 5-fold increase in autism identification over two decades.
Boys are nearly 4 times more likely than girls to be identified with ASD (4.4% of boys vs. 1.1% of girls).
Nearly 40% of 8-year-olds with ASD also have an intellectual disability (IQ ≤ 70).
For the first time in the ADDM Network’s history:
- ASD identification among Hispanic, Black, and Asian/Pacific Islander children exceeded that of White children in several monitored regions.

How Many Kids Have Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?

ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in childhood, characterized by patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that interfere with functioning or development. It can affect academic performance, relationships, and self-regulation across home and school settings.

According to the CDC’s ADHD Data and Statistics (2022):

11.4% of children (7 million) aged 3–17 have ever been diagnosed with ADHD.
10.5% (6.4 million) currently have an active diagnosis.
Boys are more than twice as likely as girls to be diagnosed (13.9% vs. 6.3%).
ADHD is most common among children aged 12–17 (15.4%), followed by ages 6–11 (10.5%).
About 78% of children with ADHD have at least one other mental, emotional, or behavioral condition -
- Almost half of children with ADHD also have a behavior or conduct problem.
- About 4 in 10 children with ADHD experience anxiety.
When it comes to treatment:
- About 32% of children with ADHD received both medication and behavior treatment.
- About 30% of children with ADHD received neither medication nor behavioral treatment (up from 23% in 2016).
- The number of children receiving behavioral treatment increased from 2.5 million in 2016 to 2.8 million in 2022.
In 2003, the diagnosis rate was 7.8%, compared to 11.4% in 2022 - a 46% increase in diagnoses over two decades.

How Many Kids Have Specific Learning Disabilities (SLDs)?

A Specific Learning Disability (SLD) is a neurological condition that affects a child’s ability to read, write, spell, or perform math calculations. These difficulties aren’t due to low intelligence or lack of access to education - they stem from how the brain processes language and information.

According to NCES:

An estimated 2.4 million students in U.S. public schools were diagnosed with Specific Learning Disabilities (SLDs) in the 2022–23 school year.

This represents 32% of all students receiving special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), making SLDs the most common disability category.

Common types of SLDs include:

Dyslexia – difficulty with reading accuracy or fluency.
Dysgraphia – challenges in handwriting or written expression.
Dyscalculia – difficulty understanding numbers or math concepts.

SLDs are the most prevalent disability category under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) - a federal law that guarantees free and appropriate public education to students with disabilities. Many children with SLDs qualify for special education services and individualized support under this law.

So to answer how many kids have SLDs, a proxy could be to answer how many kids receive Special education services.

How Many U.S. Students Receive Special Education Services?

According to NCES:

7.5 million students (15% of public school students ) received special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 2022–23.

This is up from 6.4 million (13%) in 2012–13.

Students with Learning Disabilities Struggle with Reading and Math

According to the 2022 Nation’s Report Card (NAEP):

Only 9% of Grade 8 students with disabilities(including most with learning disabilities) scored Proficient or above in reading.

Just 7% reached proficiency in Grade 8 math.

By comparison, 31% of all students reached proficiency in reading and 26% in math, revealing achievement gaps of 22 and 17 points, respectively.

Most Students with SLDs Learn in General Classrooms

As per data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES):

76% of students with Specific Learning Disabilities (SLDs) spent 80% or more of their day in general education classrooms in Fall 2022
This is a clear indicator of progress in inclusive education practices.

Three-Quarters of Students with Disabilities Earn a Regular Diploma

According to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) data via NCES, among students with disabilities aged 14–21 who exited school in 2021–22:

74% graduated with a regular high school diploma
15% dropped out
10% received an alternative certificate

Which States Serve the Highest (and Lowest) Percentages of Students with Disabilities?

As reported by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IDEA service rates in 2022–23 varied significantly across states:

Lowest: 12% (Hawaii, Idaho)
Highest: 21% (New York, Maine, Pennsylvania)

ADHD Frequently Coexists with SLDs

Clinical studies and ADHD organizations report:

30–50% of children with ADHD also have a specific learning disability

These overlapping conditions often affect focus, memory, reading comprehension, and academic resilience

Why This Data Matters

Neurodivergent conditions like autism, ADHD, and learning disabilities affect millions of children in the U.S. - not occasionally, but systemically. These are not rare exceptions but real, recurring patterns that shape how students experience school. And while awareness has grown, support often lags behind.

To create a more inclusive and effective education system, schools and policymakers must:

Spot the signs early, before frustration turns into failure
Create learning spaces that adapt to the child, not the other way around
Listen to families and students, and use their stories and strengths to shape policies that work

Recognizing and embracing neurodiversity is not just about accommodation - it's about unlocking the potential of every learner. Only then can we move toward an education system where all learners - including those with disabilities - have the tools and opportunity to succeed.

Want to take the next step beyond awareness? Here’s a research-backed guide with self-advocacy scripts designed to help parents empower their neurodivergent children with confidence and voice.

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