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ADHD in Development
Kaitlin R. Billeisen
Liberty University
PSYC231 Psychology of Adolscence
Amy Conner
October, 8, 2023
ADHD in Development
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, also called ADHD, is a neurodevelopmental
disorder typically diagnosed during childhood (What Is ADHD? - What Is ADHD? n.d.). The
disorder can follow individuals into adulthood. Many symptoms vary in individuals with the
disorder. Some symptoms that affect most people with the disorder are impulse control, attention
problems, memory problems, and even nervous system abnormalities. There have been many in-
depth studies that psychologists and educators have conducted to understand the implications and
how it affects individuals during adolescence. Not only has research shown the statistics and
probability of potential outcomes of the effects of ADHD, but scriptures in The Bible have
guided believers in how to take control of one's mind when it's louder than the voice of God.
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ADHD Explained
ADHD can present itself in individuals in three different ways. It can be inattentive, which can
cause the person to struggle to pay attention, follow through with tasks, and even conversate with
peers. Second, hyperactive-impulsive is the most common attribute of the disorder that people
link to ADHD. Within the hyperactive-impulsive tier of the neurodevelopmental disorder,
individuals may have trouble sitting still, fidgeting, experiencing restlessness, and struggling
with cutting people off in conversations. Children with hyperactive-impulsiveness can display
dangerous behaviors like climbing on objects and jumping (What Is ADHD? - What Is ADHD?
n.d.). Thirdly, the last way it can show up in people is a combination of inattentive and
hyperactive-impulsiveness, which means the symptoms of both tiers are present in the individual.
The root and origin of the disorder have yet to be discovered by researchers. However,
researchers have concluded that genetics is crucial in answering why individuals develop
ADHD. In 2016, 6.1 million children in the United States between the ages of twelve and
seventeen years old had been diagnosed with ADHD (National Prevalence of ADHD and
Treatment: Information on Children and Adolescents, 2016, n.d.).
Statistics and Facts About ADHD
Impaired cognitive control is one of the few effects that individuals in adolescence show.
Cognitive control is the capacity to control attention, reduce interfering thoughts, and be
cognitively flexible (Santrock, 2022, p.105). Researchers have suggested that working memory
deficits do show up in individuals with ADHD, which have been able to indicate poor social and
family functioning, as well as low academic achievement (DeRonda et al., 2021, p.2).
Adolescents with ADHD perform poorly with tasks involving distinct cognitive control
processing, which causes more inhibition and increased response variability in individuals
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(DeRonda et al., 2021, p.2). Gender can cause differences in what the individual experiences
with the neurodevelopmental disorder. Girls who have ADHD are more likely than their
counterparts to suffer from anxiety and depression, display self-harm and suicidal fantasies, have
lower levels of self-esteem, and have inadequate coping skills; girls are twice as likely as their
counterparts to psychiatrically be hospitalized in adulthood (DeRonda et al., 2021, p.2). Boys
who have ADHD have less detrimental tendencies than their counterparts. Boys with the disorder
display more disruptive behaviors than girls, which could be examples of disrupting
conversations, lack of impulse control, and implicit reactions. Longitudinal studies have shown
that children with ADHD display linear response inhibition and working memory improvements
from childhood to emerging adulthood (DeRonda et al., 2021, p.3). One study aimed to explore
ADHD symptoms and how it's related across development. The study included participants of
both genders, ages seven, fifteen, and twenty-five. Participants were asked to fill out a Well-
Being Assessment for the study. The findings revealed inattentive impairments are higher at
twenty-five compared to age seven; difficulty sustaining attention was the most evident
impairment for all three ages; during childhood, they found difficulties in waiting their turn and
completing a task correctly; in adolescence, they encountered difficulties calming themselves
down and relaxing and being quiet (Niina et al., 2022, p.4). Sleep disturbances are also
associated with ADHD and are related to psychiatric comorbidities like generalized anxiety
(Carpena et al., 2020, p.2). Children and adolescents with ADHD who suffer from sleep
problems are more likely to internalize or externalize issues in childhood, an indicator that helps
predict other mental health outcomes as they develop (Carpena et al., 2020, p.2).
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Possible Soultions
Children and adolescents with ADHD may suffer because they cannot meet the
expectations of the people around them (Re & Capodieci, 2020, p.27). As a result of being
scolded by adults and even peers, individuals can feel inadequate. Symptoms from ADHD can
affect the relationship between the child and parent. Children with ADHD struggle with self-
regulation, and it takes them longer to adopt their parent's behavior-controlling role (Re &
Capodieci, 2020, p.30). Parents may develop a misunderstanding of their child. Specialists like
psychologists can help parents identify symptoms of ADHD and advise parents on tools to
modify their child's behavior healthily. Responding correctly to a child's behavior can affect how
they react to situations and the consequences of their actions (Re & Capodieci, 2020, p.30).
Parents with children with ADHD should avoid raising their voices, using inappropriate
language, and refrain from physical discipline. Children are prone to embrace the behaviors,
attitudes, and reactions they see in their parents (Re & Capodieci, 2020, p.31). Punishment
should be within reason of the child's comprehension; this way, children are given feedback
about their undesirable behaviors and teaches them how to develop self-regulation. Children who
have ADHD can struggle to understand the consequences of some of their behavior. Shouting at
them when they make a mistake is not a good solution, for in most cases, they don't intend to
misbehave; not allowing children to discuss their behavior or redress the situation causes
frustration and generates a sense of anger for them (Re & Capodieci, 2020, p.68).
Christian Worldview of the Issue
In the book of Luke in The New Testament, Jesus went to a Pharasiees house on the
Sabbath. During that time, the Pharisees kept their eye on Jesus for previously healing a disabled
woman on the Sabbath, which was frowned upon to do any work on that day. Later that day,
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large crowds began to form around Jesus. He said this, "If anyone comes to me and does not hate
his father, mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters-yes even his own life-such, a person
cannot be my disciple and whoever does not carry their own cross and follow me cannot be my
disciple"(New International Version, Luke. 14:27). In this chapter of the book of Luke, Jesus
went through a similar experience one with ADHD might go through and gave a response that
would encourage believers. When Jesus performed a miracle on the Sabbath, the Pharisees
responded with judgment because Jesus behaved in a way they deemed inappropriate; like peers,
teachers, and parents may respond to children and adolescents with ADHD. To individuals with
neurodevelopmental disorders, adolescents' actions and behaviors could cause judgment by
others, but they don't think they did anything wrong. Jesus' response to crowds emphasizes that
individuals who want to follow Him are willing to bear their own cross. It will look different
than their brothers and sisters. For example, an individual with ADHD may hate its effects on
their relationships, or they may hate that they always get in trouble. No matter what it is, we
must bear our cross and put God over our problems. In a sense, it means dying to oneself and
allowing the power of Christ to make one new. Solomon gives Godly wisdom in the book of
Ecclesiastes in the Old Testament. It reads, "Remember your Creator in the days of your youth,
before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say " I find no pleasure in
them" before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars grow dark, and the clouds return
after the rain" (NIV, Ecc. 12:2). As mentioned previously, individuals who have ADHD become
more inattentive as they grow into emerging adulthood, that could affect their relationship with
God, because they may have a hard time motivating themselves to read the word and talk to God.
God will always be there, but they may get lost in their spiraling thoughts and forget the one who
calls them Beloved. Remembering God when we are young allows us to cultivate wisdom, which
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can make a difference in life's results. Believers of Christ should refrain from judging others.
When Paul was speaking to the Jews in the book of Romans, he said this, "You, therefore, have
no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another,
you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things." (NIV, Rom.
2:1). Paul is saying that often the sins or behaviors believers see in others, are the very ones
embedded in us. Therefore, they have no right to judge others. God's judgment isn't on a sliding
scale like man judges from.
Discussion
There needs to be more awareness of ADHD and how it affects children and adolescents.
The actions and behaviors of individuals with ADHD may look odd to neurotypical individuals,
but there needs to be grace and understanding of the disorder. There seems to be a lot of stigma
surrounding ADHD due to a lack of knowledge. Conversations with individuals with the disorder
should happen to understand better how their mind works and for neurotypical people to know
how to treat them and provide grace where needed. People with ADHD are typically victims of
others' judgments, which can affect their self-esteem. People who encounter individuals with
ADHD should meet them with compassion instead of judgement. Much like how Jesus reacted to
the large crowds in the Book of Matthew, "He had compassion" (NIV, Matt. 9:36). Not only did
Jesus have compassion for the large crowd, but towards everyone He encountered in the Bible.
Jesus set the standard for how we treat our brothers and sisters. Life is full of twists and turns; we
must react to each other gracefully.
References
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Carpena, M. X., Munhoz, T. N., Xavier, M. O., Rohde, L. A., Santos, I. S., Del-Ponte, B.,
Barros, F. C., Matijasevich, A., & Tovo-Rodrigues, L. (2020). The Role of Sleep
Duration and Sleep Problems During Childhood in the Development of ADHD in
Adolescence: Findings From a Population-Based Birth Cohort, 12.
10.117/1087054719879500
DeRonda, A., Zhao, Y., Seymour, K. E., Mostofsky, S. H., & Rosch, K. S. (2021).
Distinct Patterns of Impaired Cognitive Control Among Boys and Girls with ADHD
Across Development, 15. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-021-00792-2
National Prevalence of ADHD and Treatment: Information on children and adolescents,
2016. (n.d.). CDC. Retrieved October 7, 2023, from
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/features/national-prevalence-adhd-and-treatment.html
Niina, A., Eyre, O., Wootton, R., Stergiakouli, E., Thapar, A., & Riglin, L. (2022).
Exploring ADHD Symptoms and Associated Impairment across Development, 10.
d0o.i1.o1rg7/71/01.1018770/1504872051417022151602152612
Re, A. M., & Capodieci, A. (2020). Understanding ADHD: A Guide to Symptoms,
Management and Treatment. Taylor & Francis Group.
Santrock, J. W. (2022). Adolescence. McGraw Hill Education.
What is ADHD? - What is ADHD? (n.d.). CDC. Retrieved October 7, 2023, from
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/facts.html
Zondervan. (2016). NIV Bible. Zondervan.
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