When Does ADHD Begin and How Long Does It Last?

ADHD begins in early childhood, and signs of the disorder may be apparent even in toddlers. However, because the behavior of very young children is quite variable, it is difficult to make a reliable diagnosis in children younger than four or five years old. Most children with ADHD are diagnosed in their early school years, when difficulties in adjustment to school suggest an underlying problem. However, significant numbers are diagnosed upon the transition from elementary school to middle/junior high school, and from middle/junior high school to senior high school, corresponding to increases in the academic demands placed upon students. It has been estimated that 60 to 70% of children with ADHD continue to experience significant symptoms into adulthood. Overt hyperactivity tends to diminish beginning in adolescence, but problems with restlessness, distractibility, and impulsivity tend to persist. Some people continue to experience the full range of symptoms well into adulthood.

What Is the Impact of ADHD?

Children with ADHD are at increased risk of academic problems due to inattention and learning disorders, which are often associated with ADHD; problematic family and peer relationships as well as aggressive behavior due to poor behavioral control and inadequate social skills; and low self-esteem due to their pervasive difficulties. In adolescence and adulthood, ADHD is associated with increased risk for substance use and abuse, antisocial behavior, legal- and job-related difficulties, and accidents and injuries.