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How do attention-deficit and hyperactivity symptoms affect school performance?

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Infographic showing estimated lives saved by childhood vaccinations worldwide from 1974 to 2024, with syringe-shaped bars for each disease. Measles tops the list at 93.71 million lives saved, followed by tetanus, whooping cough, and others, for a total of 153.84 million lives saved. — childhood disease and disorder Vaccines and the estimates of lives saved over the period 1974–2024.

Symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), such as distractibility, forgetfulness, restlessness, and difficulty sustaining attention or following instructions, can significantly impair a student's academic progress. Because these behaviors are often maladaptive in a classroom setting, they frequently lead to substantial educational challenges.12

Research indicates that these difficulties are not a result of deficient intelligence, yet they have serious long-term consequences for school performance: more than a quarter of children with ADHD are held back a grade, and approximately one-third fail to graduate from high school.1

To manage these symptoms and improve academic functioning, many students utilize stimulant medications, which can help increase concentration and reduce the frustration associated with task completion. Additionally, cognitive behavioral therapy is often employed to help students establish structured routines and achieve academic goals.3