The Short Answer: Yes, ADHD can be a disability.

ADHD is recognized as a disability under major U.S. laws, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as well as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). But how it “counts” depends on the context.

Under federal law, a disability is any physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. ADHD can affect attention, impulse control, executive functioning, organization, and time management, all of which are considered major life activities. When ADHD symptoms significantly impact someone’s ability to function in school, work, or daily life, it qualifies as a disability.

In an educational setting, students with ADHD may qualify for:

Under the ADA, adults with ADHD are entitled to reasonable workplace accommodations, such as flexible schedules, written instructions, or reduced-distraction environments—if their symptoms interfere with job performance.

Some people feel conflicted about identifying as disabled. ADHD is also part of the broader neurodiversity movement, which reframes conditions like ADHD, autism, and dyslexia not as deficits, but as natural variations in how human brains function. Recognizing ADHD as a disability is about access. Legal protections exist to help people with ADHD succeed in systems that weren’t designed with them in mind.

Yes, ADHD can be considered a disability. More importantly, understanding your rights can open doors to meaningful support at school, at work, and in daily life. If ADHD impacts your ability to function, you may qualify for accommodations.

And you deserve them.