Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often follows children into adulthood. It commonly affects attention span and behavior. About half of affected children were thought to outgrow this by adulthood.

Recent research calls this into question by examining how ADHD changes over time. Instead of a single moment, the study tracks its progression, hoping to understand recovery rates and the ebb and flow of symptoms.

The study followed 558 children with ADHD over multiple years. They assessed these kids eight times from around age 10 to about age 25. The researchers used reports from parents, teachers, and the individuals themselves to evaluate symptoms and other factors like treatment, substance use, and mental health issues.

They categorized the children into groups based on whether their ADHD fully remitted, partially remitted, or persisted. The team looked at how these patterns changed over the years, considering different contexts and timings.

About 30% of the kids experienced full remission at some point. However, 60% of these had their ADHD symptoms return later. Only a small portion, just over 9%, maintained their ADHD remission by the end of the study, while roughly 11% saw consistent ADHD symptoms throughout.

Most of the participants, almost 64%, had periods where symptoms fluctuated—sometimes better, sometimes worse—showing no clear-cut path to recovery. This pattern suggests that ADHD symptoms can be variable and ongoing.

The findings suggest that the idea of 50% of kids outgrowing ADHD is misleading. Instead, many experience changing symptoms over time. Although some might see their symptoms lessen, 90% still deal with aspects of ADHD well into adulthood.

This study highlights that for most children with ADHD, symptoms don't simply disappear. Rather, these may wax and wane as they transition from childhood to young adulthood, indicating a more complex journey.