8. ADHD timeline
ADHD affects individuals differently throughout their lifespan. Click on the different stages below to see ADHD issues throughout the ages.
Baby
Preschool
Primary school
Secondary school
Adolescence
Adult
ADHD - Timeline
In order to gain a diagnosis of ADHD, symptoms must occur before the age of 12, must have occurred for at least six months and they must be evident in two or more settings (for example, in school and in home). Because ADHD is a developmental disorder, symptom expression and impairment will change overtime in line with changing environmental factors. For example, low levels of attention are not especially problematic in preschool children, but become a problem when the child starts school and sustained attention is required for learning.
ADHD symptoms are not physical and behaviours can seem normal. Most 18 month olds would meet the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis, but by the age of three, they would have gained better control of these behaviours. However children with ADHD gain control at a later date and experience a consistent developmental gap compared to their typically developing peers.
Adult
- Impaired relationships
- Occupational failure
- Unemployment, arrests, substance abuse, other mental health problems
Adolescence
- Peer rejection
- Drop out from further education
- Substance misuse
- Crime
Secondary school
- Poor academic performance
- Conflicts with peers, teachers, parents
- Peer rejection
- Substance misuse
- Stealing
Preschool
- Can't concentrate in play
- Conflicts with peers, siblings, parents
- Accident prone
- Poor pre-academic skills
Primary school
- Learning difficulties
- Conflicts with peers and teachers
- Peer rejection
Baby
- Difficult to soothe
- Irritable
- Sleep disturbance