What Is ADD/ADHD

What Is ADD/ADHD—and How Many Latinxs Are Affected?

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how people focus, control impulses, and manage energy. You’ve probably heard of it being diagnosed in “niños traviesos” who can’t sit still in school, but ADHD isn’t age specific. In fact, tons of adults—especially in the Latinx community—are living with undiagnosed ADHD and have no idea.

ADD is technically an outdated term, but it’s still often used to refer to a type of ADHD that doesn’t come with the hyperactivity part. You might not be bouncing off the walls, but your mind might be.Here’s where it gets real: Latinx children are less likely to be diagnosed with ADHD compared to white children, according to the CDC. And even when symptoms are present, cultural stigma and lack of access to care can lead to late—or missed—diagnoses altogether. We’re often told to just “try harder” or “ponte las pilas,” when what’s really happening is our brains are wired differently.