Review of prospective longitudinal studies of children with ADHD: Mental health, educational, and social outcomes

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common neurodevelopmental disorder of childhood, resulting in impairments in academic, mental health, and functional domains. Whereas the short-term effects of ADHD are well documented, much less is understood about the adolescent and adult outcomes of children diagnosed with ADHD. This article attempts to increase understanding of these outcomes by providing an integrated summary of prospective longitudinal cohort studies investigating the outcomes of children with ADHD. Particular focus is paid to mental health, educational, and social outcomes, in addition to ADHD persistence. Overall, the data show that children with ADHD experience serious functional deficits across domains in adolescence and early-adulthood. Furthermore, the impairing symptoms of ADHD do not disappear in adulthood, as was once thought. We hope that through improved understanding of risk and protective factors in ADHD, clinicians, families, and schools can better help children with ADHD reach their full potential.