Lead researcher Margaret H. Sibley, PhD., associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of Washington School of Medicine and a researcher at Seattle Children’s Research Institute, said the study was important because doctors still aren’t sure whether children with ADHD can fully recover from it. “Most research tracking children with ADHD over time stops after one adult check-in,” explains Sibley. “In fact, estimates of how many children outgrow their ADHD range from 20% to 95%.” The MTA study was different because it followed up with its participants every two years until they were around 25 years old. This allowed the researchers to look at trends over time in ADHD symptoms, and not just a single snapshot of adulthood. “Patients with ADHD need to know what to expect will happen to their symptoms as they grow older so that they can plan for their future,” Sibley says.
A Closer Look at the Research
The MTA study followed a group of 558 children with ADHD for 16 years, from age 8 to age 25. The participants had eight assessments given every two years to establish whether they had ADHD symptoms. The researchers also got input from their family members and teachers about their symptoms. The study notes that decades of research characterize ADHD as a neurobiological disorder that is typically first detected in childhood. ADHD persists into adulthood in approximately 50% of cases. The MTA researchers found in their study that just 10% of children completely outgrow it. “Although about one in three children will experience full remission of their ADHD at some point between age 8 and 25, in most cases, ADHD will return within four years,” says Sibley. While the study found that it was very rare for an individual to recover from ADHD and stay recovered, it was also very rare for an individual to meet the full criteria for ADHD at all nine time points in the study. “Professionals should continue to monitor their patients with ADHD over time, even after symptoms appear to have dissipated,” Sibley says.
Coping with ADHD
It’s important for people diagnosed with ADHD to understand that it’s normal to have times in your life where things feel more manageable, and other times when you feel like you have less control. There is a range of tools to help with this. “ADHD has long been shown to be a disorder that can be managed with appropriate tools, including medication and cognitive-behavioral strategies that help with organization, procrastination, memory, and time management,” Sibley says. She adds that ADHD also can be managed well when patients find environments at school, work, and home that make them feel successful. “For many people with ADHD, the key to well-managed symptoms may be finding the right supports in your life and choosing a career path based on your strengths and your interests,” Sibley explains. “Discovering a path where your ADHD doesn’t get in the way of success can contribute to building a happy and healthy life.” When you have a child who has been diagnosed with ADHD, it’s important to educate yourself about the various tools and techniques available. Pavan Madan, MD, an adult, adolescent, and child psychiatrist with Community Psychiatry and MindPath Care Centers, recommends working with the school psychologist to discuss ways in which your child’s academic needs can be met. “If you get tools and strategies in place at the earliest possible opportunity, your child can build a strong foundation of support from a young age,” Madan says. “They can learn to work on their issues before the work gets increasingly challenging, and develop the confidence to be able to master the hurdles in their way." As Madan explains, it’s easier to learn new things and stick to them during childhood, compared to adulthood. Many kids with ADHD continue to have a baseline or flare-up of symptoms later in life, which underscores the importance of learning tools and techniques to address issues, in addition to medication consultation, Madan adds.
National support organizations that provide education, advocacy, and support for children and adults living with ADHD include CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) and ADDA (Attention Deficit Disorder Association.
