More Americans are identifying as neurodivergent....

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While estimates of the percentage of neurodivergent people globally typically range from 15–20%, new survey results from neurodiversity advocacy and support nonprofit Understood suggest that the true percentage of neurodivergent adults may be higher.

For one, more people are being diagnosed with ADHD and autism and other conditions that fall under the umbrella of neurodivergence. But more people may also be self-identifying as neurodivergent—especially in younger generations. Deloitte’s 2023 Gen Z and Millennial Survey showed that 53% of Gen Z self-identify as neurodivergent.

“The people who identify or have symptoms of [neurodivergence], will far exceed the most conservative estimate of those who have been actually diagnosed,” says Nathan Friedman, copresident and chief marketing officer of Understood. He suggests that barriers such as high psychiatry costs and the misdiagnosis of neurodivergent women might prevent individuals from pursuing (or acquiring) a formal diagnosis.