Girls with ADHD
Believe it or not, ADHD looks very different in girls than it does in boys. Characteristics like hyperactivity and impulsivity that are attributed to ADHD are most commonly found in boys. Girls with ADHD may not be hyper or disruptive, but they will be disorganized; they will daydream and struggle to pay attention when learning new things. Because these aren't considered "typical" symptoms, ADHD often goes undiagnosed in girls. ADHD in girls can be broken down into four basic categories. These aren't meant to be used as medical diagnoses, but simply as a guide for those who think their daughter may have some form of ADHD.
Shy/"Spacey"
This is the most common way that ADHD expresses itself in girls. Rather than being hyper and impulsive, they withdraw. They appear shy, but in reality, they're reacting to feelings of overstimulation. Unlike boys with ADHD, they don't act out when they're overwhelmed, but instead retreat into their "own world". A girl who's overwhelmed at school may choose to play or eat lunch by herself. She'll also have trouble following directions and will likely be disorganized with her homework. Not only will she forget assignments, but she'll struggle to complete the ones she remembers and then may forget to turn them in.
HyperSocial
To understand the hypersocial form of ADHD, picture the girl who talks and talks and talks, jumps from one topic to another, and frequently interrupts when others are talking. A girl with this type of ADHD makes friend easily because she's so talkative, but keeping friends is difficult. Often, she's also considered stuck-up because she never listens to anyone else talk. This form of ADHD can cause a girl to be disruptive in class, and it often causes listeners to feel overwhelmed by the constant stream of "chatter".
Moody
The moody subtype of ADHD is the least common and least likely to be recognized as ADHD. This type of girl is often despondent or dissatisfied. Nothing is ever quite right or enough. If she says she wants to wear a dress to school, she'll change her mind as soon as she's put it on. She'll try to pick out pants instead, but no pair of pants will be quite right. She may become frustrated to the point of throwing a temper tantrum (which is common for this type of ADHD).
Hyperactive
This is the most easily recognizable and most commonly diagnosed form of ADHD. A girl with this subtype will have extremely high energy levels, be impulsive and take unnecessary risks. She's likely to be labeled a "tomboy", because her activities will consist of things like climbing, running and "rough-housing". She will persist in these activities even if she knows they're potentially dangerous.
Because most girls who have ADHD have the inattentive type, it's often not diagnosed as early as ADHD in boys. The symptoms may not cause problems until middle school or high school, when class work gets harder and requires more organization.
Most children with ADHD experience feelings of frustration. Boys tend to focus their frustrations outward, blaming teachers or parents for bad grades or disorganized rooms. Girls, however, turn inward, blaming themselves. Consequently, girls often feel inadequate and guilty for their forgetfulness or lack of organization. It's important for parents to keep these feelings in mind and help their daughters find things at which they're especially talented. Whether is something artistic, academic or sports-related, finding activities she's good at will help a girl with ADHD continue to build her self-esteem, even in the midst of frustrations and disappointments.
Parents of a girl with ADHD should also develop a thorough understanding their daughter's educational rights. A healthy relationship between the student and teacher is vital for a girl with ADHD. Teachers need to be made aware of the different forms of ADHD so they don't think that a girl who's inattentive is lazy or disrespectful. Once a daughter has been diagnosed with ADHD - especially if it's the inattentive type - parents should gather as much information as possible and request a one-on-one meeting with their daughter's teacher(s). If a teacher knows what to look for, he or she will be better equipped to help the student stay focused, learn, and complete her assignments on time.
Parents should also be aware that, by federal law, schools are required to accommodate children with various learning disabilities - including ADHD. Again, gathering this information for a one-on-one meeting with a student's teacher(s) will help ensure that the student receives the help she needs to realize her academic potential.
Interestingly, students who were diagnosed with ADHD scored nearly as high on standardized tests as students without ADHD. It's encouraging to note that students with ADHD have as much academic potential as any other student. Bringing that potential out just takes a little more attention, time, and effort on part of parents, teachers, and the student.
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