Age at Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Diagnosis and Educational Outcomes by Parental Education

Lotta Volotinen , Helsinki institute of demography and population health (PopHel),University of Helsinki
Hanna Remes, University of Helsinki
Pekka Martikainen, University of Helsinki
Niina Metsä-Simola, University of Helsinki

Background: ADHD is diagnosed more often for individuals with low parental education, and it may lead to lower school performance and more school dropout. These educational outcomes could be improved with treatment, and hence, an early diagnosis of ADHD is often recommended. Still, age at diagnosis may predict educational outcomes differently between basic and tertiary parental education. Methods: To examine the associations of age at first ADHD diagnosis and educational outcomes, we used registry data on 579,459 individuals born in Finland between 1990–1999 and their parents. We identified ADHD diagnosis with first clinical diagnosis or ADHD medication purchase. We used linear regression models to predict grade point average (GPA) at the end of compulsory education and logistic regression models with predicted probabilities to assess school dropout at age 20. Results: Regardless of parental education, a diagnosis during the first school years was associated with higher GPA and more school dropout than a diagnosis towards the end of compulsory education. In absolute differences, individuals diagnosed at any age with basic parental education had the lowest GPA (6.74), and highest probability of school dropout (37%) but the relative deficit in GPA was larger for tertiary parental education. Conclusions: A diagnosis of ADHD towards the end of compulsory education is associated with lower school performance and more school dropout, and those with low parental education may be particularly disadvantaged. ADHD diagnosed individuals with low parental education may require targeted support to continue their studies after compulsory education.

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 Presented in Session 29. Flash Session Child and Adolescent Health and Development