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How Far We’ve Come: Reflecting on 25 Years of ADHD Insights

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As an ADHD coach, a parent of two young adults with ADHD and learning differences, I’m constantly reminded of how much our understanding of ADHD has advanced quickly, and in ways that touch families just like mine.

Reading ADDitude Magazine’s (1) recent look back at the last 25 years of ADHD research fills me with gratitude and hope. So much of what we now know about diagnosis, lifelong trajectories, and individualized impact has only become widely accepted in the past generation. These shifts are especially important for parents raising neurodivergent children and supporting them through adulthood.


Key Research Highlights That Changed the Conversation


  • ADHD Is Lifelong, Not Just for Kids:

    We now know for sure that ADHD isn’t something you “grow out of.” Most children and teens diagnosed with ADHD will continue experiencing symptoms into adulthood, even as those symptoms change with time. This research dispels the old myth that ADHD vanishes in adulthood and highlights the importance of supporting individuals at every life stage.


  • ADHD Rarely Exists Alone – Comorbidities Are Common:

    It’s well-established that ADHD often comes hand in hand with other conditions such as anxiety, depression, learning differences, and substance use disorders. Science suggests there are shared genetic and environmental factors at play, meaning ADHD care often needs a more holistic, personalized approach.


  • A Shift in Diagnosis—From Subtypes to Presentations:

    Remember when ADHD was split into “subtypes”? Research revealed that those didn’t hold up as people aged, often shifting from one subtype to another. The field now recognizes ADHD “presentations,” which better account for how symptoms can vary, not just between people, but also at different points in an individual’s life.


  • Genetics, Environment & Complexity:

    There’s no single “ADHD gene.” Instead, dozens of genes potentially increase risk when interacting with each person’s environment. Advances in neuroimaging have deepened our understanding of how ADHD brains work, including differences in brain networks governing focus and self-regulation.


  • Treatment: Evidence and What Needs Work:

    The strongest evidence continues to support a combination of medication and behavioural interventions. Recent decades have also brought expanded knowledge of effective skills training and peer interventions, emphasizing that successful support extends beyond medicine alone. At the same time, there’s more research guiding us away from fads and unproven “quick fixes” that can distract from evidence-based care.


My Takeaway – ADHD, Science, Advocacy, and Real-Life Stories


In my dual role as parent and coach, research comes alive in the personal stories I hear and live every day. Whether it’s with my kids or my clients, I see firsthand how new diagnoses bring relief, community, and self-understanding and how stigma still creates barriers. I’m more convinced than ever that advocacy begins at home, in our circles, and grows through open, informed conversations that build acceptance and hope.


Looking Forward


With decades of new knowledge and lived experiences driving us, I am optimistic. The science continues to inform us, but it’s the real stories—families, educators, individuals finding their voice that show how much progress is possible.

If your family is on this journey, or if you’re looking for guidance and support for your own ADHD path, let’s connect. Stories, research, and compassion together have the power to transform how we understand and live with neurodivergence.


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