The Persistence of ADHD into Adulthood: (Once Again) It Depends on Whom You Ask

Abstract

Nearly a decade ago in this newsletter, we reported on the rate of persistence of ADHD into young adulthood using a large sample of hyperactive (ADHD – Combined Type) and control children from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, that we have been re–evaluating approximately every five years (Fischer, 1997). At that time, we reported our results at their early adult (mean age 21) follow–up. We have recently completed re–evaluation of these individuals at a mean age of 27 (range 22–32 years) using both self–reports and parent reports of DSM–IV ADHD symptoms to determine the persistence of the disorder to this follow–up point.