Severe Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is considered a developmental disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In these cases, problems with attention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity caused by ADHD make it difficult to carry out everyday activities or function effectively in school or work environments.
This legal background aside, not everyone personally defines ADHD as a disorder, which is why the relevance of these terms can be a topic of debate.
This article describes ADHD as a potential disability, how it is diagnosed, and the federal disability benefits for which people with ADHD may be eligible. It also discusses possible supports at school and in the workplace, such as extra time to complete tasks, frequent breaks, and help with organizational skills.
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Is ADHD a developmental disorder?
ADHD is considered a neurodevelopmental disorder, meaning it is a condition that affects the developing brain. ADHD symptoms usually appear in childhood and continue into adulthood.
Symptoms of ADHD in children include:
Forgetfulness, daydreaming, impulsive behavior, conflict with peers, excessive talkativeness, squirming or fidgeting, risk taking
Adults with ADHD may exhibit some of the same symptoms as children, but symptoms may look different as they get older. For example, hyperactivity in adults may manifest as extreme restlessness or exhausting those around them with their activity.
When ADHD symptoms are severe enough to interfere with functioning at school or work, ADHD is considered a developmental disorder.
Developmental disorders are conditions that arise during a child’s development and have a negative impact on daily life. These conditions can affect behavior, learning, motor skills, and language development.
Is ADHD a learning disability?
Although ADHD is not a learning disability, many children diagnosed with ADHD also have learning disabilities. Furthermore, ADHD can significantly impact a child’s ability to learn. Poor attention span, inability to sit still for long periods of time, and impulsivity can have a negative impact on their education.
Legal Rights and Accommodations at School
Although ADHD is not a learning disability, it is a recognized disability that qualifies individuals for accommodations in school under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Accommodations for students with ADHD may include:
Additional time to complete assignments and tests, frequent breaks so the child can move around, a quiet learning environment outside the classroom, short assignments, and help with organization.
Federal law protects students from disability discrimination, and students with ADHD may be entitled to receive special education and related aids and services from their school district.
Legal Rights and Accommodations in the Workplace
ADHD symptoms often continue into adulthood and often cause problems in the workplace. One of the main symptoms of ADHD that affects people in the work environment is inattention.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a law that protects people with disabilities from discrimination in the workplace. It requires employers with 15 or more employees to provide “reasonable accommodations” to help people with disabilities succeed in the workplace.
Being diagnosed with ADHD does not automatically give you protection under the ADA: You must first have a medical professional determine whether your symptoms make you disabled.
As an adult, if your ADHD symptoms impair your ability to function effectively at work, it may be a good idea to discuss your diagnosis with your employer or human resources representative to see if there are steps you can take.
Workplace accommodations for adults with ADHD may include:
Delegation of work, frequent breaks, technological assistance, realistic workloads, workspace adjustments to minimize distractions, changes in work schedules, and changes in job titles within the company.
Disability benefits and how to apply
Social Security and the Supplemental Security Income Disability Program are the largest of several federal programs that provide assistance to people with disabilities.
In some cases, children with ADHD may be eligible for federal disability benefits, namely Supplemental Security Income (SSI) from the Social Security Administration. However, there are strict conditions for eligibility: a child’s symptoms must cause “marked and severe impairment” and the symptoms must have lasted for at least a year.
Adults with ADHD are subject to similar requirements to receive federal benefits: their ADHD symptoms must prevent them from engaging in “substantial gainful activity” for at least one year.
The first step to receiving benefits is to receive an ADHD diagnosis. The next step is to apply for disability benefits to determine whether you or your child are eligible.
Applications for disability benefits are considered on a case-by-case basis. You can apply online or schedule a phone appointment to receive assistance with your application. For more information, see the Social Security Administration website.
Diagnosis of ADHD
Symptoms of ADHD may first be spotted by a child’s parents or teachers. A diagnosis of ADHD is often made by the child’s health care provider, such as a pediatrician or family doctor. According to a 2014 national survey, about 30% of children with ADHD are diagnosed by age 6, and about 76% are diagnosed by age 9.
ADHD is also diagnosed by mental health professionals using the criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA).
Diagnostic criteria for ADHD are based on consistent demonstration of inattention and/or impulsivity or hyperactivity.
Symptoms of inattention include:
Having trouble staying focused on tasks, making mistakes in schoolwork, not being able to finish tasks once started, being easily distracted, avoiding activities that require concentration, losing things, being forgetful, or not being organized
Hyperactive/impulsive behaviors include:
Poor turn-taking, interrupting, talking too much
Difficulty sitting still, tapping hands or feet, difficulty playing quietly, running instead of walking
ADHD may not be diagnosed until adulthood, and diagnostic criteria include experiencing at least five persistent inattentive symptoms and/or five persistent hyperactive-impulsive symptoms.
These symptoms must be present in two or more settings (e.g., at home, at work, at school, when with friends or relatives, or other activities) and must interfere with or reduce the quality of social, school, or work functioning.
summary
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a condition that is usually diagnosed in childhood and whose symptoms persist into adulthood. These symptoms, including inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior, can cause significant problems in school and work environments.
ADHD is considered a developmental disability, not a learning disability, and adjustments are often made in classrooms and work environments to help people with ADHD be more successful.
If symptoms are severe, people with ADHD may be eligible for federal benefits, but this is determined on a case-by-case basis.
A Word from Verywell
If you suspect your child may have ADHD, speak with your healthcare provider to discuss evaluation and treatment options. The earlier symptoms are recognized, the sooner interventions can be implemented to help your child succeed at school and at home.
Talk to your child’s school about available interventions to improve your child’s learning. This can greatly reduce frustration and negative behaviors that affect your child’s ability to learn. You may also consider consulting a family therapist for tips on behavior management at home.