ABSTRACT
Epidemiological data suggest that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects between 2% and 4% of adolescents in the general population. Similar to children with ADHD, problems for adolescents with the disorder typically include academic difficulties, discipline problems at school and at home, and conflict with peers; however, adolescents tend to experience more serious consequences than children. For example, problems such as school dropout, substance abuse, and legal problems become more common among youth with ADHD as they mature. In addition, between 25% and 75% of adolescents with ADHD meet diagnostic criteria for other disruptive behavior disorders (1), resulting in significant additional impairments. Treatment for these youth therefore requires a comprehensive, multimodal approach that addresses impairment across multiple domains and contexts (2).
