Until the early 1990s, scientists considered ADHD a “childhood disorder” and believed that most children outgrew the condition. For that reason, physicians usually took children off medication before they reached high school. In many cases, teenagers suffered serious setbacks academically and socially — a clear sign their ADHD symptoms had not abated.

Continued research has shown that ADHD symptoms do not necessarily go away by adolescence. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, about two-thirds of children with ADHD continue to have symptoms as adults.

Does Your Child Still Need Medication?

If your child's symptoms become less noticeable as he gets older, your physician may recommend taking him off medication to see how he fares. If your child's symptoms of hyperactivity, inat-tention, and/or impulsivity don't return, it's probably a good sign your child is among the one-third of children who grow out of ADHD. Or your child may only need to take medication a few times a week to keep symptoms in check.