Focus for the Future

Parenting a child with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can be tough. Families face daily challenges and reliable information about ADHD can help their children. Focus for the Future is a CDC initiative that connects families with tools and resources to help kids with ADHD thrive. Our team of scientists, mental health specialists, and medical experts are leading the charge to identify, promote, and extend the reach of the best care for kids with ADHD.

CDC is committed to working with partners and the public to support children with ADHD and their families through the Focus for the Future initiative. CDC is

• Working to understand ADHD: CDC uses national and community data to identify the number of children with ADHD, the type of treatment that these children receive, and factors that increase the risk for or lower the chance of developing ADHD. Read about our research.
• Raising awareness and sharing the latest findings: CDC develops and provides resources for parents, educators, and health providers. Explore information for parents and health providers.
• Connecting more families to evidence-based treatment: CDC works to identify policies and practices that connect more families to treatments for ADHD that are based on the best available medical information. Learn about CDC’s work to improve access to mental and behavioral health services for children and families.

CDC’s National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD) is committed to helping children with ADHD. Through research and by providing information, NCBDDD helps families of these children get the support they need. We study mental and developmental disorders, identify factors that put children at risk for these conditions, and share that research with state and local decision-makers and medical professionals.