Often-Overlooked Signs of ADHD in Girls
When we think of ADHD, many of us picture a hyperactive, impulsive child who can’t seem to sit still, blurts out answers in class, or struggles to finish assignments. While these behaviors are certainly hallmarks of ADHD, they don’t paint the full picture—especially when it comes to girls. ADHD often looks very different in girls, leading many parents, teachers, and even doctors to dismiss the signs as personality quirks or typical childhood behavior. Here’s what you need to know about how ADHD manifests in girls and why it’s so often missed.
Why ADHD in Girls Is Often Overlooked
According to the CDC, 13% of boys and only 6% of girls are diagnosed with ADHD. However, experts believe this discrepancy is more of a misidentification than a true gender discrepancy. ADHD is underdiagnosed in girls because their symptoms tend to be less outwardly disruptive. Instead of being hyperactive or impulsive, girls with ADHD are more likely to:
- Internalize their struggles: Rather than acting out, they may quietly daydream, struggle to stay focused, or feel overwhelmed by their emotions.
- Compensate with perfectionism: Many girls work hard to mask their difficulties by striving for perfect grades, organization, or behavior, making their struggles less visible to others.
- Be mislabeled as “shy” or “anxious”: Emotional sensitivity, social withdrawal, and fear of failure can be mistaken for other conditions, leading to a misdiagnosis or no diagnosis at all.
Common ADHD Symptoms in Girls That May Be Misinterpreted
Here are some specific signs of ADHD in girls and why they’re often overlooked:
Daydreaming:
Girls with ADHD may seem to “zone out” during conversations or lose track of what’s happening around them. This can be mistaken for disinterest or simply being “lost in their thoughts.”
Emotional Sensitivity:
Many girls with ADHD experience intense emotions, such as frequent crying, frustration, or feelings of being overwhelmed. These can be dismissed as “overreacting,” being “dramatic,” or attributed to normal hormonal changes.
Forgetfulness:
Forgetting assignments, losing track of personal items, or struggling with time management may be chalked up to being “scatterbrained” or “disorganized” rather than a sign of ADHD.
Social Struggles:
Girls with ADHD may have difficulty picking up on social cues, which can lead to misunderstandings or difficulties forming close friendships. They may also talk excessively, interrupt, or struggle to stay on topic in conversations, which could be seen as personality quirks rather than brain differences.
Academic Inconsistency:
They might excel in one subject but struggle in another. Often, this leads teachers to assume they’re “just not trying hard enough” in areas where they’re underperforming.
Read More: How Do Learning Challenges Impact Students Long-Term?
Hyperfocus:
While trouble focusing is a hallmark of ADHD, many girls exhibit hyperfocus—becoming so engrossed in a task or topic that they lose track of time. This can be interpreted as passion or dedication.
Watch to Learn More: Hacking the ADHD Brain – 5 Things Influencing Your Child’s Behavior and Learning >>
The Consequences of Missed ADHD Diagnoses in Girls
When ADHD goes undiagnosed in girls, the consequences can be significant. Without understanding the root of their struggles, girls may:
- Develop low self-esteem or feelings of inadequacy.
- Experience chronic stress, anxiety, or depression.
- Struggle academically or socially, despite their best efforts.
- Feel misunderstood by peers, parents, and teachers.
Over time, these challenges can affect their confidence, relationships, and ability to thrive in school and beyond.
Build a Foundation for Better Focus & Learning
Whether or not your daughter is diagnosed with ADHD, a comprehensive cognitive assessment can provide valuable insights into her unique cognitive strengths and weaknesses. In most cases, a lack of attention isn’t really at the root of what’s going on. Appearing disengaged or distracted is a symptom of a deeper struggle in cognitive skills like memory or processing speed.
At LearningRx, we focus on strengthening the core cognitive skills that underlie attention, focus, and learning, helping kids with or without ADHD build the tools they need to succeed.
Unlike accommodations or medication, our brain training programs target the root cause of learning struggles. We actually build up the skills that are weak, empowering your child to overcome challenges and thrive in both school and life.
*Results are from surveys and studies of past clients, and individual outcomes may vary. Please note that we do not diagnose ADHD, and brain training is not a cure for ADHD.
