Persistence of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder into adulthood: A study conducted on parents of children diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Childhood ADHD (CADHD) was first recognized in the early 1900's but recognition of the disorder's persistence into adulthood did not occur until the 1970's. The pioneers who first identified ADHD in young children assumed that they would outgrow the condition in adulthood. This disorder is still under-recognised and under-diagnosed. Abstract Objective: To determine the persistence of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) into adulthood in parents of children diagnosed with ADHD and currently attending child and adolescent psychiatric clinics (located at a tertiary academic hospital and a community based clinic). Method:A structured questionnaire was completed by 58 parents of ADHD children. Those parents identified as having childhood ADHD were further required to complete a screening questionnaire for adult ADHD. Results: 37.9% (22) of the 58 participants were found to have had childhood ADHD. Of these 22 participants 36.4% (8) were still found to have symptoms suggestive of ADHD. Conclusion: Childhood ADHD has been reconceptualised as a lifespan disorder. Our study was in keeping with other studies showing a persistence of ADHD symptoms into adulthood.