ADHD in Girls

We know from many studies that girls withA large study of ADHD done in the U.S. was
ADHD are more likely than boys to go unnoticedcompleted in Massachusetts in 2002. The lead
and undiagnosed. They are likely to be moreauthor of this study, Dr J. Biederman, reported
inattentive and not hyperactive. They are lessthat: "Girls with ADHD were more likely than boys
likely than boys to be impulsive and they are atto have the predominantly inattentive type of
less risk for co-morbidities such as depression.ADHD, less likely to have learning disabilities, and
Girls are often diagnosed in middle school or highless likely to manifest problems in school and in
school and for some girls, the fact that they aretheir spare time. In addition, girls with ADHD were
diagnosed later rather than sooner impairs theirat less risk for comorbid conduct disorders, and
education and learning for years even after theoppositional defiant disorder than boys with
diagnosis is made.ADHD." This same study, however, did find a
I recently saw an old friend of mine that I hadstatistically significant increase in the risk of
not seen in years. I met her 13 year old daughtersubstance abuse in girls with ADHD symptoms.
as well and we had a great time visiting. My friendFrom other studies we know that girls respond
spoke to me about recently realizing that she hadpositively to the same medication and behavioral
the symptoms of inattentive ADHD andinterventions for ADHD as boys do and we also
concluding, after reading the book Delivered fromknow that 70% to 80% percent of boys and girls
Distraction, that her daughter had the symptomsidentified with ADHD will continue to have
of inattentive ADHD as well.problems into adulthood. Some research has
My friend's daughter is in the gifted program atindicated that girls and boys without disruptive
her school. She was clearly very bright, verybehavioral disorders and learning disabilities respond
secure, quite self aware, and very composed forbest to stimulants and behavioral therapies while
a 13 year old.When I spoke with her she wasindividuals without learning disabilities and disruptive
clearly concerned about her performance in schoolbehavioral disorders do just as well on behavioral
and my friend told me that this year, as atherapy alone.
seventh grader, she had received some veryGirls are more likely to have the predominantly
poor grades and my friend suspected that herinattentive type of ADHD, they are likely to be
daughters inattentiveness symptoms were finallydiagnosed late or not at all, they are less likely
starting to present an impairment.have behavioral problems but more likely to have
I spoke to my friend regarding the non-medicalanxiety, depression, and substance abuse
interventions that I thought would work best forproblems in adolescents and as adults. Teachers
her daughter but speaking to her reminded meare less likely to be aware of the symptoms of
that I have written very little about girls withADHD in girls. It is imperative that parents of girls
Inattentive ADHD. My friend's daughter situation isadvocate for the treatment that will address the
a pretty classic case presentation of how ADHDissues of Predominantly Inattentive girls with
is first discovered and diagnosed in girls.ADHD.