Somewhere in almost every ADHD conversation, someone eventually says it.
'There weren't kids like this when I was at school.'
Or the slightly more polite version:
'Why are there suddenly so many ADHD kids now?'
And if you're a parent of a neurodivergent child, you've probably heard this one too:
'Maybe it's just screens.'
This episode pulls that myth apart.
Because the truth is far more complex — and far more interesting.
ADHD didn't suddenly appear in the last 20 years.
What has changed is how classrooms work, what children are expected to do inside them, and how visible neurodivergence becomes when the environment shifts.
In this episode, we unpack one of the biggest myths about ADHD and neurodivergence:
Are there actually more neurodivergent children now?
Or are we finally recognising what was always there?
WHAT WE COVER
– The myth that 'there were no ADHD kids in the past'
– Why increased diagnosis does not mean ADHD is suddenly more common
– How modern classrooms have changed dramatically over the last 30 years
– Why language demands in early schooling are much higher than they used to be
– What happens when school expectations exceed a child's nervous system capacity
– The difference between developmental opportunity and underlying neurodevelopmental differences
– Why early learning environments play a crucial role in supporting neurodivergent kids
– The societal changes affecting children's development, play and independence
– How pandemic stress and modern family pressure has reshaped childhood environments
– Why blaming screens oversimplifies a much bigger developmental conversation
WHAT THE RESEARCH ACTUALLY SAYS
One of the most cited global studies on ADHD prevalence analysed 175 international studies and found that ADHD rates have remained relatively stable over time.
What has changed is recognition and diagnosis, not the existence of neurodivergent children.
Global prevalence research:
https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/135/4/e994/33967/Prevalence-of-Attention-Deficit-Hyperactivity
This systematic review, published in Pediatrics, remains one of the most widely referenced papers estimating ADHD prevalence worldwide.
WHAT WE ARE SEEING IN AUSTRALIA
In Australia, population-level data also tells an important story.
The Australian Early Development Census tracks developmental vulnerability across the country and consistently shows that many children are entering school with developmental differences in communication, emotional regulation and social skills.
AEDC National Report:
https://www.aedc.gov.au/resources/detail/2021-aedc-national-report
Importantly, developmental vulnerability does not mean something is 'wrong' with a child.
It tells us that children's environments, expectations and support systems all interact with how development unfolds.
And when school expectations increase, differences often become more visible.
THIS EPISODE IS FOR YOU IF
– You have heard someone say 'there weren't kids like this when we were growing up'
– You're navigating an ADHD diagnosis and feeling overwhelmed by misinformation
– You're trying to explain neurodivergence to family members who don't understand
– Your child struggles in modern classrooms but thrives in other environments
– You've wondered whether society has changed more than children have
– You want research-backed information about ADHD prevalence
MORE ABOUT SALLY GALLOWAY & KAT MARRINGTON
Kat Marrington (Speech Pathologist) at www.Talkiplay.com
Sally Galloway (Occupational Therapist) at www.sallygalloway.com.au
FREE ADHD RESOURCES
If you're exploring ADHD for yourself or your child, these free tools can help.
ADHD Self-Test
A quick screening tool to help adults identify whether ADHD traits might be worth exploring further.
https://adhdmums.com.au/adhd-self-test/
Free ADHD Resources
Guides, articles and practical support for ADHD families.
https://adhdmums.com.au/resources/
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