Interventions for Transitioning Adolescents with ADHD to Emerging Adulthood: Developmental Context and Empirically-Supported Treatment Principles

ABSTRACT

The developmental transition between adolescence to emerging adulthood (ages 18–25) is a critical juncture—particularly for individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, there are no known published studies on treatments for ADHD that aim to improve the transition from adolescence to emerging adulthood. We sought to facilitate future transition intervention research and provide empirically-supported treatment principles and corresponding targets for clinicians with this manuscript. We review two key areas of research to inform transition planning interventions for adolescents with ADHD: (a) domains of impairment (e.g., occupational, social) within the developmental context of the transition to emerging adulthood and (b) existing treatment research on interventions for adolescents and adults with ADHD. After evaluating and synthesizing these areas of research, we highlight and discuss targets for treatment that are promising for addressing the unique needs of adolescents with ADHD transitioning to emerging adulthood. We also discuss treatment modalities which may be particularly suited for ADHD within this developmental context. Many treatment elements were indicated, ranging from empirically-supported focuses on compensatory skills (e.g., organization, time management, planning [OTMP]) to more theoretically relevant techniques, such as health and lifestyle behaviors (e.g., physical exercise). Further, certain treatment modalities, such as parent-teen collaborative models and group-based approaches, seemed particularly suited for adolescents with ADHD transitioning to emerging adulthood. Limitations of existing research on the transition to emerging adulthood for those diagnosed with ADHD and areas for future research are discussed in greater detail.

Acknowledgments

We thank Derek Smith, Joshua Clapp, and Christine McKibbin for reviewing earlier versions of this manuscript.