ADHD in the News 2025-06-26

ADHD medication benefits persist – but not like they used to

As ADHD medication use has surged in Sweden over the past decades, evidence is needed on whether the benefit of the medication remains consistent. A new study from Karolinska Institutet, published in JAMA Psychiatry, shows that while ADHD medication still helps reduce the risk of self-harm, unintentional injuries, traffic accidents, and criminal behavior, its protective effects have diminished over time as ADHD medication use has broadened to a wider group of patients.



How to manage ADHD at work and turn it into a strength

NEW YORK (AP) — Jeremy Didier had taken her son to a psychologist for a possible ADHD evaluation when she spotted an article about women with the condition. As she read it in the waiting room, she thought to herself: They’re describing me.



Skyuka Hall’s Head Of School Tapped For National Organization

For just more than a decade, Skyuka Hall School has been meeting the challenge of providing a high-quality education to students who learn differently. That success is in no small part due to the leadership of President and Head of School, Dr. Ronald (Josh) Yother. Dr. Yother’s dedication, methodology, and results have now caught the attention of a prominent national organization, Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD).



ADHD linked to higher risk of premenstrual dysphoric disorder

Women with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder are over 3 times more likely to experience premenstrual dysphoric disorder, especially when co-occurring with anxiety or depression, according to new research.



Onset of sepsis in first week of life tied to increased likelihood of autism spectrum disorder

Early-onset neonatal sepsis is associated with an increased likelihood of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), although the association with ADHD is attenuated in sibling-matched analyses, according to a study published online June 18 in Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology.



Exposure to heavy metals is associated with higher likelihood of ADHD diagnosis

A study in Spain found that children with higher levels of lead, cadmium, copper, and antimony in their urine had increased odds of being diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). More specifically, higher levels of copper and cadmium were associated with more severe inattention symptoms, while higher levels of copper and antimony were linked to greater hyperactivity-impulsivity severity. The paper was published in the Journal of Attention Disorders.



Assessing Shame-Based Family Dynamics When Treating Children With ADHD

What role do shame-based family dynamics play in the progression of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children? Filmed ahead of her 2025 Psych Congress Elevate session, “Unraveling the Knots: Family Centered Strategies for Attention Deficit Disorder,” Sarah Slabaugh, DO, offers practical insights on identifying dysfunctional family patterns that may impact the presentation of ADHD symptoms in child and adolescent patients.



Role of Pediatricians in Diagnosing ADHD

Pediatricians serve as frontline healthcare providers for ADHD diagnosis and treatment, positioned at the initial point of contact alongside schools where children first present with concerning symptoms. Before reaching specialized behavioral health services, families typically consult pediatricians who must possess comprehensive knowledge of ADHD presentation, diagnostic criteria, and evidence-based treatment approaches.



The Hidden Struggles of Inclusive Classrooms

Key points: Inclusion helps all learners, but teachers need time, training, and support to make it work. Most teachers lack training in special education and feel unprepared to meet diverse needs. Schools must invest in support staff, training, and planning time to make inclusion succeed.



Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Researchers Identify Novel Gene Associated with Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Epilepsy

Researchers from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) identified a novel gene associated with neurodevelopmental disorders and epilepsy. The study, recently published online by the American Journal of Human Genetics, leveraged large data depositories, state-of-the-art computational techniques and community-based gene matching to identify this new gene, which is a critical early step in improving diagnosis and eventually developing new treatment methods.



Move to improve: Exercise eases depression and anxiety in kids

With more than three-quarters of children and teens experiencing depression or anxiety, parents are desperate for effective solutions. Now, new research from the University of South Australia shows that something as simple as regular exercise could be a powerful intervention to support young people’s mental health.



The Best ADHD Treatments for Adults Who Need to Perform

Key points: Stimulant medications are first-line treatments. Non-stimulant medications can also play a role. Comprehensive treatment includes medications and therapy.



“As a young girl of Indian heritage growing up in the 2000s, my ADHD diagnosis was unlikely – this is my experience”

[Excerpt] My 2005 diagnosis arrived at an awkward moment in the UK’s understanding of ADHD: officially recognised yet controversial, rarely identified in girls and barely discussed openly. NICE didn’t properly acknowledge adult ADHD until 2008, and the doctor had said I’d probably grow out of it. Today, we understand that adults who live well with ADHD build lives to accommodate its rhythms rather than being shattered by them, but having money and/or structural privilege helps.