In a nationwide cohort study of 580,132 patients, earlier age at first attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder diagnosis was associated with improved educational outcomes, including higher grade point averages at age 16 years, greater likelihood of academic vs vocational secondary education, and reduced risk of school dropout by age 20 years, compared with diagnoses made later in adolescence. These findings suggest that delayed diagnosis—particularly near the end of compulsory education—may identify a high-risk group for adverse academic trajectories and highlight the potential benefit of earlier recognition and targeted support.

Source: JAMA Psychiatry