ADHD – FACTS and SYMPTOMS
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Through the Life Span
1 – ADHD Definition –Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder is a chronic condition that typically begins in childhood and persist into adulthood. It includes a combination of persistent problems, such as difficulty sustaining attention, hyperactivity and impulsive behavior.
2 – General Facts
2.1 In 2011, there were 6.1 million children ages 4-17 diagnosed with ADHD, representing 9.4% of the general population of the same age.
2.2 Only 2.5 million of the children with ADHD were being treated.
2.3 South Carolina is ranked number four in the United States of individuals diagnosed with ADHD (2011).
3- Facts and Symptoms by age groups.
While not every child, young adult or adult with ADHD exhibits the same developmental concerns at the same stage or age, the following is to provide some general information on the effects of ADHD over the lifespan. . “ADHD is a serious and expensive public health problem.”*
3.1 Child
Infancy to age 10 Symptoms of ADHD typically arise between the ages of 3 to 6.
73% of students with ADHD have impaired school readiness as compared to 13% of students without ADHD.
90% of the students with ADHD will struggle academically.
Most students with ADHD exhibit executive function deficits*** in getting started on task, remembering chores, assignments and memorizing math facts.
Most children with ADHD are at higher risk of accidents and self- inflicted injuries.
69% of the children diagnosed with ADHD have a co-existing condition such as anxiety or depression, with 25-50% having a learning disability.
60% of students with ADHD are typically slower in reading, have difficulty with reading comprehension and have handwriting problems.
Students with ADHD have difficulty with test taking.
Students with ADHD miss more days from school.
25 – 47% of the students with ADHD fail a grade.
71% of the students with ADHD are expelled and/or suspended from school.
52 – 64% of children with ADHD have sleep difficulty.
ADHD is a predictor of juvenile justice issues
3.2 Adolescent
Age (11 – 19) 70 – 80% of individuals with ADHD will continue with symptoms into adolescence.
Brain maturity in individuals with ADHD is typically 3 – 5 years behind typical peers subsequently affecting an individual’s ability to handle the higher expectations of independence in middle and high school
There is more difficulty with independently completing homework.
Executive function deficits in time management, organization, memorization of math facts and foreign language will affect academics.
Many of the childhood effects persist into adolescence and young adulthood.
Increased expectations at this age along with decreased supervision and support increases the problems.
Students with ADHD are 30-40% more likely to drop out of school.
There is a 30% delay in mastering life skills.
42% of those with untreated ADHD have a probability of substance abuse as opposed to 21% of those without ADHD.
Young people with ADHD begin drinking at younger ages than their typical peers.
Individuals with ADHD have more difficulty quitting substance abuse.
There is a 68% higher rate of pregnancy before age 19.
Girls with ADHD are four times more likely to have an eating disorder.
Young people with ADHD tend to have sexual intercourse at a younger age than typical peers.
20 – 56% of adolescents with ADHD will be diagnosed with a conduct disorder at some point.
3.3 Young Adult
(age – 20 –30 ) Frontal lobe development in individuals with ADHD is typically 3 to 5 years behind typical peers; therefore, expectations don’t match the brain maturity or ability to handle independence. Typical frontal lobe development is by age 25.
There is a higher risk of substance abuse in individuals with ADHD and much higher for those not being treated with ADHD medication.
There is higher rate of fatal automobile accidents of individuals with ADHD.
Young adults with ADHD are 3 times more likely than typical peers to have their driver’s license suspended.
Young adults with ADHD have a higher rate of risk-taking behaviors.
Young adults with ADHD have a higher rate of poor health maintenance, poor diet and dental problems.
70-90 % of college students with ADHD drop-out.
Adults with ADHD have overall lower income.
Adults with ADHD have problems with relationships.
Individuals with ADHD are more likely to be prone to outbursts and have less emotional control.
There is a higher rate of suicide in young males with ADHD.
20% of young adults with ADHD will move back home after attempting to live independently.
Adults
(Age 31 – up) 50 – 70% of individuals with ADHD will continue to manifest symptoms that cause impairments in their adult life.
Overall, there is a greater reduction in life expectancy of those with ADHD.
Adults with ADHD have more difficulty handling money and finances.
Adults with ADHD have more social problems and have higher rates of divorce.
Individuals with ADHD are 10 times more likely to have an unplanned pregnancy and they are 4 times more likely to contract a sexually transmitted disease .
There is typically great variability in the quantity and quality of work performance.
ADHD in adults is typically missed by health care providers including mental health specialist.
*** Executive function deficit – deficits in the skills and ability to apply adaptable thinking, self-control, planning, self-monitoring, time management, and organization.
References
The Mayo Clinic Guide to Raising a Healthy Child” 2019
*The Proceedings of the ADHD Public Health Summit, Washington, DC, October 7, 2019
National Survey of Children’s Health 2016
Center for Disease Control, Children’s Mental Health 2022
Center for Disease Control “ Vital Signs” May 2014
Russell A Barkley Ph.D. “ADHD Likely Reduces Estimated Life Expectancy by Young Adulthood (posted at http://apsard.org) December 2018
My Cleveland Clinic.org
The National Institute of Health, H.T. Perrin, 2019
Dr. Russell Barkley Ph.D., 2021
Center for Disease Control and Prevention 2011
