| If your child has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity | | | | ADHD may enjoy some tasks so much that it |
| Disorder then at some point you will be asking the | | | | seems everything else in the world is blocked out, |
| question, "Will my child ever outgrow it?" | | | | for hours! But when it comes to routine or boring |
| Well, there is good news, and not so good news, | | | | tasks, it is hard to focus for even a minute. Learn |
| when it comes to the answer. Studies indicate | | | | more about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity |
| that about half of those with ADHD will outgrow | | | | Disorder at the ADHD Information Library. |
| many of the symptoms of the disorder by the | | | | We should also acknowledge that for many ADHD |
| time he or she is in their 20's. However, even for | | | | will turn out to be the ticket for disaster in their |
| these fortunate ones, some of the symptoms will | | | | lives. About half of all individuals with ADD will also |
| remain. The old school of thinking was that once a | | | | develop problems with society, with authority, |
| child with ADHD reached puberty he no longer | | | | with the rules of life. These individuals will average |
| needed any help for his Attention Deficit | | | | about two felony arrests before the age of 20 |
| Hyperactivity Disorder, but this is simply not true. | | | | unless they are properly treated as a child. |
| But parents, hang on! There is one final growth | | | | One study suggests that about half of all men in |
| spurt of the brain, particularly in the frontal lobes, | | | | prison in the state of California carried the |
| at about 19 or 20 years old. It is not much, but | | | | diagnoses of ADHD and Conduct Disorder as |
| for those with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity | | | | children, but went untreated, either because the |
| Disorder it just might make a big difference. Once | | | | families denied that there was a problem, or didn't |
| this growth takes place it seems that the young | | | | have the financial resources for treatment, or |
| adult becomes more mature, better able to | | | | because they just didn't know what to do about |
| focus, and may improve in school. Hyperactivity | | | | the problem. It is extremely important that all |
| may diminish at this time, and may look more like | | | | children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity |
| restlessness or fidgetiness. Chances are this | | | | Disorder, whether the inattentive space-cadets or |
| young adult will become more socially appropriate | | | | the impulsive hyperactive ADHD children, it's |
| as well. | | | | important that all children with ADHD receive the |
| However, symptoms of impulsivity tend to | | | | help that they need. These children need to tools |
| remain. This is often the biggest complaint of | | | | to help them be successful. |
| adults with the disorder. It causes a variety of | | | | Gladly, most young adults with ADHD can find |
| problems from often interrupting others in | | | | jobs where their strengths can shine, and can be |
| conversations to quitting jobs for little reason and | | | | successful. Depending on skills and preferences, |
| without other employment already lined up. | | | | we have seen many with Attention Deficit |
| Problems staying focused may also persist into | | | | Hyperactivity Disorder shine working with |
| adulthood. It is often described as a constant | | | | computers and computer programming, art work, |
| "brain-fog" which makes tasks such as balancing | | | | sales positions, and even trucking. Look around |
| check books and doing taxes very difficult. As | | | | and find a profession that is rewarding and |
| with children, there is little problem doing | | | | stimulating, and pursue it. |
| interesting or exciting tasks. In fact someone with | | | | |