Statement from The Society for ADHD and Co-Occurring Conditions on the MAHA Report Released May 22, 2025

The Society for ADHD and Co-Occurring Conditions is deeply alarmed and disappointed by the release of the MAHA report dated May 22, 2025. This report is riddled with misinformation, pseudoscience, misquoted statements, and long-debunked myths about Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), its causes, and its treatment.

One of the most egregious claims in the report is the suggestion that parents are to blame for their children’s ADHD. This harmful narrative is not only false—it is insulting and cruel. Decades of peer-reviewed medical research confirm that ADHD is a complex, hereditary neurodevelopmental disorder that affects individuals from birth and continues throughout the lifespan. Implying that parental behavior causes ADHD only serves to deepen stigma and shame, making it less likely that families will seek the support and treatment their children need and deserve, particularly in marginalized communities.

Furthermore, the report irresponsibly promotes the idea that dietary changes or time spent outdoors are sufficient substitutes for evidence-based ADHD treatment. While lifestyle supports can be beneficial, they are not substitutes for medical care. To suggest otherwise is negligent and dangerous. ADHD is a serious condition that often requires a comprehensive, multimodal treatment approach—including behavioral therapy, school accommodations, coaching, and when appropriate, medication.

ADHD medications are among the most researched treatments in pediatric and adult mental health care. These medications, when prescribed and monitored by qualified professionals, are not only safe and effective—they are often life-enhancing and, in some cases, life-saving. They allow individuals with ADHD to regulate their executive functioning, reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, improve sleep, and lead healthier, more productive lives.

Contrary to the misinformed conclusions in this report, more adults are being diagnosed with ADHD today—not because it’s being overdiagnosed, but because  they have the courage to seek answers to the struggles they’ve endured since childhood.  Science confirms that ADHD is a lifelong condition. For many, receiving a diagnosis in adulthood is not just clarifying—it’s empowering. It allows individuals to make sense of past challenges and opens the door to evidence-based care that can significantly improve their quality of life. There is no shame in seeking answers. It is a brave, life-affirming act.

We are particularly concerned that a report of this magnitude failed to include the voices and expertise of medical doctors, clinical researchers, and scientists who diagnose and treat ADHD daily. The absence of peer-reviewed data and clinical evidence in this report is unacceptable, especially at a time when public trust in science and access to healthcare is already under attack.

Between the current assaults on Medicaid and Medicare access and this report’s spread of misinformation, we fear families will not only be misinformed—they may also be denied critical care.

The Society for ADHD and Co-Occurring Conditions strongly condemns this report and urges the Department of Health and Human Services to reject its flawed recommendations. We call on HHS to return to the drawing board and convene a panel of medical doctors, researchers, and community advocates to ensure that any guidance on ADHD reflects the latest, evidence-based science and honors the lived experiences of those navigating this condition every day.

ADHD is not a parenting failure. It is not a character flaw. It is a well researched medical condition—and it deserves to be treated with scientific integrity, compassion, and respect.