Real Age Formula for ADHD | ADHD Information

Perhaps that is why some memebers of my family were also thought of as "young at heart"    I think this has to even out as the kids get older..if not,it is scarey to think a 17 year old about to go to college if he is really only 12....I agree with you  IMac38945.8919675926 Our child psychiatrist gave us this formula for children with ADHD. Real age multiplied by three. Divide that number by twelve. Subtract THAT number from their current age. Example: My ds is 10 X 3 = 30 divided by 12 = 2.5. 10 - 2.5 = 7.5. I'd say that's just about the extent of his maturity! I found it very interesting. I am curious up to what age your psychiatrist uses this estimate.  If it is extended into adolescence, it looks something like this:

Chronological Age      10      13      15      17
"Real Age"                  7.5     9.8    11.3   12.8


At age 17 the difference is about 4 years while at  10 it was only 2.5

Reflecting back on my two sons who are 3 years apart in age, the older with adhd often seemed to have the maturity of the younger or less.  I've had to explain this to my youngest who sometimes would be confused with the differences in age , maturity, and responsibility.

Interesting. Thanks for posting. 


jfla238789.8772569444IMac38945.8922106481IMac38945.8924537037IMac38945.8926967593The way we got it explained was that you take away 1/3 of their actuall age. So in my sons case he is about 4-5.

We where told to keep in mind though, that this wasnt about their intelect or mental status, only maturity. And it actually fits for him, and its ok to keep it in mind when things arent as we expect.

It was explained to me that as they reach adulthood (21??), it's not as relevant a theory.  All I know is that with my son it's almost perfectly on target.  All this has to do with is "maturity", not academically, physically, etc.  I just found it very interesting....