ADHD diagnosis delays impact one million people in Italy

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects approximately one million people in Italy, yet many remain undiagnosed due to a lack of awareness and significant delays in the diagnostic process, which can last up to two years.

Estimates suggest ADHD impacts between 5% and 7% of children and adolescents, and between 2.5% and 5% of adults. The neurodevelopmental disorder is characterized by difficulties in maintaining attention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. These symptoms are frequently misinterpreted in educational settings as laziness or a lack of discipline rather than a medical condition requiring therapeutic support.

The Associazione Italiana Famiglie ADHD (AIFA), founded in 2002, works to support families through initiatives such as the ‘Parents for Parents’ project. October is recognized as a month dedicated to increasing awareness of the disorder.