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While there is no cure for ADHD, it is one of the more treatable psychiatric disorders and has a good prognosis for most children, adolescents, adults who receive treatment. Indeed, diagnosis and treatment of ADHD is absolutely critical as early as possible as it determines the future functioning of the individual. It is important for the person being treated for ADHD to be reassessed periodically by a clinician to determine if symptoms have improved to the point where medications may no longer be necessary or if the patient is still experiencing functional impairment and requires modification of treatment. The AACAP notes that follow-up visits may be necessary several times a year until the most effective medication is determined and the dose is adjusted for the individual. Height and weight should be monitored at each appointment. If the patient is symptom-free for one year, the AACAP suggests that following consultation with the patient and family, medication can be withdrawn. If family, teachers, or the patient report any deterioration in behavior or reappearance of symptoms, medication should be reinstated.

For some who are diagnosed with ADHD and treated, symptoms may either partially resolve, lessen with age, or may stay the same or worsen. The risk of the condition worsening appears to be elevated in adults in whom there is a strong family history of ADHD, those who come from a dysfunctional home, or those who have comorbid psychiatric disorders. Even when some symptoms of ADHD lessen over time, residual symptoms and impairment typically last into adulthood. It is thought that approximately half of all children with ADHD will still show signs of the ADHD into adulthood but they are generally able to be controlled with medication. With proper support and treatment, however, adults can lead very productive lives in family, social, and employment settings.

The AACAP analyzed the long-term outcome of children with ADHD who were managed with methylphenidate and found three general groupings:

• Children with initial small improvement and continued, gradual improvement over time
• Children with a large initial improvement which was maintained over 36 months
• Children who showed initial improvement but then deteriorated. This group had lower IQ levels and higher levels of aggression at baseline and was more likely to develop oppositional defiant disorder or conduct disorder.

According to the National Institutes of Mental Health, some of the issues which seem to last into adulthood include:

• Inattentiveness
• Poor academic achievement
• Low self-esteem
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Inappropriate social behavior

Impulsivity and hyperactivity generally improve with age. Many people are able to adapt to inattentiveness and compensate for other impairments related to ADHD in their choice of lifestyle, employment, and social setting. For many patients with ADHD, treatment with medication with or without counseling continues well into adulthood. The degree to which ADHD persists into adulthood is the subject of much discussion since there are so many criteria by which various studies have measured this factor. Regarding comorbidities, it appears that several conditions, such as major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, or anxiety disorder, tend to persist in adulthood.