What is ADHD?

ADHD is a condition that affects

Attention (staying focused, organising, remembering)

Impulse control (acting without thinking)

Activity levels (being very active or internally restless)

Common signs of ADHD can include

Difficulty concentrating

Forgetfulness

Impulsiveness

Restlessness

Trouble following instructions

Interrupting or talking over people

Struggling with time management

How does this affect young girls?

Girls are more likely to have inattentive ADHD, which is quieter and easier to miss

They may appear to be in a daydream, shy or in a world of their own

They may be sensitive to criticism and feel like they are always making mistakes

Hyperactivity may be internal, showing as racing thoughts rather than obvious movements

They may talk a lot socially but still struggle with conversing with people

Girls with ADHD may also find it more difficult to maintain friendships

Why girls with ADHD may be more difficult to diagnose

Girls are less likely to be disruptive in an educational setting, so teachers may not notice this as quickly

Behaviours are often mislabelled as being sensitive, quiet or withdrawn

They are often more likely to mask, which hides symptoms but increases stress

Key differences between ADHD and Autism

In social settings, girls often want to talk and can be impulsive in conversations which could lead to interrupting others and over sharing

They may struggle with maintaining friendships because of forgetfulness, or emotions taking over situations

Behaviours you may find are inconsistent

ADHD can mean that you may be super focused on day but distracted by everything another

Organisation and time management are major challanges