ADHD in Adolescents
Until the 1980's, it was believed that only young children had ADHD and that they outgrew the disorder when they reached adolescence. However, we now we know that ADHD is often a lifetime condition, and ADHD symptoms in teens are fairly common.
The good news is that with appropriate diagnosis and treatment, those with ADHD can manage their symptoms and stop the disorder getting in the way of them achieving their goals in life.
ADHD symptoms and challenges
The main symptoms by which clinicians recognise ADHD symptoms — inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity — remain essentially the same during teen years as they were in childhood. Teenagers and those around them may notice less struggle with overactivity than in early childhood but greater challenges with focusing on schoolwork and other responsibilities may exist. The teenager with ADHD may have less organisational capacity and resiliency to the developmental demands of personal accountability and higher expectations for responsible independent functioning.
Home functioning
On average, households of adolescents with ADHD have higher levels of parent-teen conflict than households with teens who do not have ADHD. Symptoms associated with ADHD such as difficulties with organisation, forgetfulness, and thinking before acting may make parents reluctant to give teens the freedom they desire.
Driving
Inattention and impulsivity in ADHD can lead to more tickets and more accidents due to slower/variable reaction time and more impulsive errors. The use of stimulant medications when prescribed by a medical professional has been found to have positive effects on driving performance. Teens should always follow safe driving habits, such as using a seat-belt, observing the speed limit, and avoiding distractions such as the use of mobile phones and eating while driving.
Social functioning
Relationships become increasingly important. Friendships are changing as adolescents become interested in dating, and may encounter more significant peer pressure. Teenagers with ADHD report that they notice that they tend to be more easily frustrated or more emotionally sensitive than others their age. Participation in sports, clubs, or youth groups can provide emotional and physical outlets with a built-in social group and shared positive experiences.
Academic performance
High school comes with more demands to juggle and less supervision. Academically, the workload and difficulty of the material increases, and long-term projects rather than daily homework assignments are the norm. Teens often benefit from assistance with note-taking, study skills, and organisation/time-management training.
Conners' Adult ADHD Rating Scales
CAARS
A multidimensional assessment of adult ADHD. Measures the presence and severity of ADHD symptoms so that you can determine whether or not ADHD is a contributing factor to a client's difficulties.
Conners 4th Edition
Conners 4™
Provides a comprehensive assessment of symptoms and impairments associated with ADHD and common co-occurring problems and disorders in children and youth aged 6 to 18 years.
Brown Executive Function/Attention Scales
Brown EF/A Scales™
Helps screen and assess a wider range of impairments of executive functioning. Brown EF/A Scales™ measures DSM-5 symptoms of ADHD along with less apparent impairments of executive functioning.
Brown Attention-Deficit Disorder Scales®
BrownADDScales
Provides a consistent measure of ADD across the lifespan. Based on Thomas Brown’s model of cognitive impairment in ADD, they reliably screen for and explore the executive cognitive functioning associated with ADHD.
The Behaviour Assessment System for Children, Fourth Edition
BASC-4
Helps clinicians understand the behavioural and emotional strengths and concerns of young people from preschool through to university age. Supports screening and prevention programs, intervention planning, mental health diagnosis and special education decision-making.
BASC-4 Behavioural and Emotional Screening System
BASC-4 BESS
Used by school districts and behavioural health professionals to efficiently assess the behavioural health of young people each year. The BESS screening forms are quick to administer and well tolerated by students, teachers and parents.