ADHD & Girls

Differences in Presentation

Boys typically externalise hyperactivity and impulsivity traits, whereas girls often present with internalizing behaviours, such as inattentiveness, daydreaming, and low self-esteem. These more subtle traits can easily be mistaken for shyness, anxiety, or even hormonal changes, leading to a delayed or missed identification and diagnosis.

Girls with ADHD may also display hyperactivity, but this is often less obvious than in boys. Hyperactivity in girls can often look like excessive talking, bossiness, preening (fussing with hair, nails, clothes etc) which can be overlooked by parents and teachers.

Societal and Cultural Factors

Think of some of the social stereotypes we have: girls are chatty; bossy; day dreamers; like mothering younger children. These stereotypes may mean that ADHD traits go unnoticed.

Likewise, stereotypes such as girls are clever, are organised, can multitask may mean that girls with ADHD may struggle to meet expectations, and may internalise their challenges, which can lead to feelings of rejection, anxiety and stress.

Masking

Internalising these challenges can “mask” or hide ADHD symptoms, making it harder for schools, families and healthcare professionals to recognize.

Girls are often more likely to mask traits to fit in socially. This can result in their difficulties being unnoticed, dismissed or attributed to a lack of effort rather than underlying ADHD.

Maintaining friendships

Girls with ADHD may struggle to build and maintain friendships. We may find our child is bossy and her friendships are short as a result, we may find our child is a people-pleaser who tends to be drawn in by others. Encouraging games where turn taking is required will help support impulse control and can also assist in building social skills. The use of social stories and comic strip stories can also help our child in understanding social expectations.

If excessive chatting is problematic for your child, provide opportunities for her to externalise this in a controlled manner – some ideas may be recording voice notes, having a set time for a “Tell me about…” conversation, or reading to siblings.

Lifestyle choices

Building exercise and movement into your child’s routine can be helpful in supporting hyperactive traits, and can help improve focus and concentration. Encouraging team sports and games will also help to form friendships, exercise turn taking skills and team work.

Supporting ADHD girls in School

Educational accommodations can provide the necessary support to help girls succeed academically. These accommodations might include additional time for schoolwork, flexible seating options, movement breaks and modified instructions to suit their learning styles. An EHCP (Education Health Care Plan) is not needed for accommodations to be put in place.

Role Models

Perhaps encourage your child to research successful girls and women who have ADHD with your child; you will find actors, academics, entrepreneurs, scientists, musicians, athletes, entertainers, inventors and many, many more. Some of whom attribute their success to their unique brains, hyperactivity, impulsivity or difference of attention!

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