Artificial intelligence in childhood attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A review of diagnosis, treatment, and forensic dimensions

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that begins in childhood and, if left untreated, is associated with impulsivity and self-control issues, posing significant risks in terms of risky behavior and criminal tendencies. The aim of this study is to review research examining the role of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in the diagnosis and treatment processes of ADHD in children. Accordingly, the research was conducted using a review methodology. The literature search was performed in databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The findings indicate that AI-based methods can achieve high accuracy rates, particularly in diagnostic processes, and enable a comprehensive analysis of behavioral, cognitive, and neurophysiological data. Additionally, it was determined that AI-supported intervention approaches—such as gamification, mobile health applications, and social robots—enhance children’s motivation and facilitate their active participation in treatment processes. However, factors such as data privacy, ethical issues, explainability, and clinical integration were identified as significant barriers limiting the widespread adoption of these technologies. In conclusion, while AI technologies offer significant opportunities in the field of ADHD, more comprehensive, standardized, and multidisciplinary research is needed to ensure these technologies can be used effectively and safely in clinical practice.