As the world marks ADHD Awareness Month this October, mental health experts in India warn that Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) continues to be widely misunderstood, underdiagnosed, and stigmatized—especially in mainstream education and adult mental health care.
While global conversations around neurodiversity have gained momentum, as per the experts, India remains “alarmingly behind” in awareness, policy recognition and access to tailored interventions.
“Awareness of ADHD remains alarmingly low despite slow, systemic shifts,” said Dr. Parul Mathur, Consultant Psychiatrist at Amaha. She cites a 2023 Indian Psychiatric Society survey revealing that nearly 70% of parents have never heard of ADHD or believe it ‘is not a real disorder’.
She further added, “ADHD is still perceived as laziness or bad parenting leading many families to avoid seeking help. Cultural emphasis on obedience and academic performance often results in children being labeled “naughty,” “careless,” or “undisciplined.”
For girls and women, the barrier is even higher. “They often mask symptoms through perfectionism or overworking. Their struggles are internalised, overlooked, and diagnosis is delayed,” Dr Mathur added.
Multiple experts stressed that ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition, not a behavioural problem. “It is not caused by poor parenting,” said Dr Gowri Kulkarni, Head of Medical Operations at MediBuddy. “Intelligence does not rule it out either—many high-performing individuals have ADHD but compensate until daily life demands expose the challenges.”
Dr Priyanka Puri, Consultant Child Psychologist, pointed out that ADHD is often loosely used. “Just because a child is mischievous or distracted does not mean they have ADHD,” she said. For a diagnosis, inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity must all be present.
According to Dr Puri, ADHD should be formally diagnosed only after age seven, when the brain has completed key developmental stages. However, many children receive support too late because parents hope they will “grow out of it.”
“Diagnosis is not a label—it is the first step toward solutions,” she emphasised.
Dr Mathur noted a major policy gap: ADHD is not recognised under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act 2016.
“This exclusion leaves individuals without legal or educational accommodations. It is a systemic failure,” she said.
One of the most noticeable shifts is the increase in adult consultations. “We are witnessing a steady rise in ADHD-related consultations on our platform, particularly among adults,” said Dr Kulkarni. Many were never diagnosed in childhood but now struggle with workplace stress, disorganisation, anxiety or relationship difficulties.
She added that telehealth is breaking barriers by offering privacy, convenience and consistent digital assessments—encouraging more people to seek help earlier.
In the education system, ADHD is often either dismissed or overgeneralised. “We are in a hurry to label every hyperactive child as ADHD,” said Dr Puri. “We must first understand the child’s personality, strengths and needs.”
Devangana Mishra, Founder of Brain Bristle, which works with low-income inclusive schools, said ADHD is widely misunderstood at the classroom level. “Teaching methods are rarely adapted to attention spans or working memory needs,” she said. “Large class sizes, rigid curricula and lack of teacher training make inclusion difficult.”
She advocates for Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and individualized support. “Inclusion must be built into the architecture of the classroom, not treated as an optional add-on,” she said.
Experts agree that effective ADHD management requires a multilayered approach—medical, educational, psychological and social.
Dr Puri outlined a comprehensive intervention model that includes – Play-based cognitive training using neuroplasticity; Nutrition (zinc, iron, magnesium, vitamins); Physical movement and oxygenation; Parent management training; and Routine-building, social and life skills.
“ADHD children can perform exceptionally well if their energy is directed properly,” Dr Puri stressed. “There is no correlation between ADHD and intelligence.”
The experts agreed that India must adopt a multi-layered approach to address ADHD, starting with legal recognition of ADHD under the RPwD Act to ensure formal accommodations. They stressed the need for teacher training to identify both external (hyperactive) and internal (inattentive) symptom types and called for gender-sensitive screening, as women and girls are often underdiagnosed. Early assessment without stigma, along with digitally enabled access to specialists, was seen as critical for timely intervention. In schools, experts advocated for differentiated instruction and flexible classrooms instead of one-size-fits-all teaching methods. They also emphasised the importance of public literacy and positive role models to challenge misconceptions.
“With the right support, individuals with ADHD can thrive,” said Dr. Gowri Kulkarni. As India slowly begins to embrace neurodiversity across education, workplaces and healthcare, experts believe the condition can no longer remain invisible. “Awareness is growing. Now, we need policy, training, and inclusion to catch up,” concluded Dr. Parul Mathur.
