What Does ADHD Look Like in Girls?

It seems like more and more kids these days are being diagnosed with ADHD, but there is a difference in the rate of boys versus girls. Girls with ADHD can often go undiagnosed until adulthood, while boys with ADHD are often prescribed stimulant medications earlier than girls, researchers have found. The gender gap in diagnosis and treatment frequently leaves girls and women floundering. As a result, girls often struggle with their ADHD symptoms longer than boys do before receiving a diagnosis and treatment.

So why is ADHD harder to diagnose for girls? For one, ADHD presents differently in girls than in boys. Girls frequently display inattentive symptoms, including forgetfulness, trouble paying attention, and problems with organization. Boys tend to display hyperactive/impulsive symptoms, like blurting out or being unable to sit still in class. These hyperactive/impulsive symptoms get noticed more easily by parents and teachers while inattentive symptoms sometimes get ignored. Girls are also less likely to be diagnosed earlier because they often display more symptoms of anxiety. Medical providers may only treat a female patient’s anxiety or depression without evaluating for ADHD.

ADHD symptoms in girls are often thought of as personality characteristics rather than ADHD, which is why they are often overlooked or explained away. ADHD can look like any of the following things in children, and some may surprise you:

• Appearing withdrawn
• Cries easily
• Daydreaming and in a world of her own
• Difficulty maintaining focus; easily distracted
• Disorganized and messy (in both appearance and physical space)
• Doesn’t appear to be trying
• Doesn’t seem motivated
• Forgetful
• Highly sensitive to noise, fabrics, and emotions
• Hyper-talkative (always has lots to say, but is not good at listening)
• Hyperreactivity (exaggerated emotional responses)
• Looks to be making “careless” mistakes
• Might often slam her doors shut
• Often late (poor time management)
• Problems completing tasks
• Seems shy
• Seems to get easily upset
• Shifting focus from one activity to another
• Takes time to process information and directions; seems like she doesn’t hear you
• Verbally impulsive; blurts out and interrupts others

Luckily, as time progresses we are getting better at diagnosing ADHD in girls. If your daughter, granddaughter, or another young girl in your life exhibits a few of these traits on a continual basis, a discussion with an experienced professional may be beneficial.

Allison Green
Boston Tutoring Services