Symtoms of ADHD Decrease as Brains Mature
Will my child outgrow ADHD? It is well known that 50% of children diagnosed with ADHD will no longer meet full criteria for the condition by the time they reach adolescence and adulthood. The reason why is becoming clearer. Studies show that children with attention deficit disorder do have normal patterns of brain maturation, but their brains may just mature a little bit later. Findings at the Montreal Neurological Institute reported an average delay of 3 - 5 years in some brain regions, most notably in the front part of the brain which helps with organization, planning, and attention.
Great news - as the ADHD mind continues to mature, symptoms will likely improve. People can literally “grow out of ” their ADHD. Interestingly there are some brain regions that mature faster in ADHD kids than those without ADHD. One such region is the “motor area” which is responsible for initiating movement. This may accountant for some of the restlessness and fidgeting that kids with ADHD experience.
The study appears in the latest issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science. http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20071112/brain_adhd_071112/20071114?hub=Health
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