| One of the first questions parents ask when their | | | | criteria at age 6 still meet some of the criteria |
| children get diagnosed with ADHD is whether the | | | | (less than 12) at age 25? Then the answer is that |
| condition might go away with age. Unfortunately, | | | | 30% of children have outgrown ADHD at age 25, |
| this isn't a question that can be simply answered | | | | and 70% of children with ADHD still have some |
| with a yes or no. You see, ADHD is a spectrum | | | | symptoms while not meeting the 12 criteria |
| disorder, which means that no two individuals | | | | threshold anymore. |
| have the same experience of the condition. Some | | | | 3) If the question, "Will ADHD go away?" means |
| children might have a few symptoms, while other | | | | "Do children who meet at least 12 diagnostic |
| children have all the eighteen diagnostic criteria. | | | | criteria at age 6 still have problems functioning |
| Some children may outgrow ADHD, while others | | | | normally at age 25?" then the answer is that only |
| have to deal with it all throughout their lives. In | | | | a scant 10% outgrow their ADHD, which means |
| this article, you will learn about the many possible | | | | 90% have difficulties leading a normal life because |
| outcomes of ADHD. But before doing so, let's | | | | of their symptoms. |
| discuss briefly the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. | | | | Children with ADHD also have a high chance of |
| If you remember, the three core symptoms of | | | | meeting the diagnostic criteria for other mental |
| ADHD are inattention, hyperactivity, and | | | | disorders. What most doctors do not |
| impulsivity. Together, they have eighteen | | | | acknowledge is that the symptoms of ADHD |
| diagnostic criteria, which doctors use to determine | | | | change throughout time. This means that |
| if a child has ADHD or not - 9 criteria on the | | | | behaviours that fit the diagnostic criteria for |
| inattentive scale, and 9 criteria on the | | | | ADHD in children might change to meet another |
| hyperactive-impulsive scale. To receive the ADHD | | | | diagnosis in adulthood. For instance, an inattentive |
| diagnosis, a child must meet at least twelve | | | | child may develop an anxiety disorder and receive |
| criteria out of the eighteen. | | | | this diagnosis when he or she reaches adulthood. |
| With this in mind, there are three possible | | | | A hyperactive child who always got in trouble at |
| perspectives and outcomes for outgrowing ADHD. | | | | school may develop oppositional behaviour and be |
| 1) If the question, "Will ADHD go away?" means | | | | diagnosed as an antisocial type ten years later. |
| "Do children who meet at least 12 diagnostic | | | | What this means is that the three core |
| criteria at age 6 still meet the same criteria (at | | | | symptoms may evolve into other disorders if |
| least 12) by the age of 25?" then, the answer is | | | | they are not given adequate treatment, or if they |
| that 60% of children diagnosed with ADHD will not | | | | are left to go away on their own. |
| meet the diagnostic criteria anymore when they | | | | It's important for you to remember that ADHD |
| reach adulthood. This means that there are still | | | | cannot be simply cured by giving medication. Only |
| 40% who grow up suffering from the same | | | | through a comprehensive natural approach can |
| symptoms and still meet the criteria. | | | | your child learn to overcome ADHD so that the |
| 2) If the question, "Will ADHD go away?" means | | | | symptoms will stop being disruptive throughout |
| "Do children who meet at least 12 diagnostic | | | | the years. |