Do Girls Get ADHD?
Repercussions continued...
If they slip too far behind, it can be hard to catch up.
Studies show more girls than boys need to repeat a grade in school. They’re also more likely to feel it’s hard to focus on schoolwork and get things done.
Mary is a classic example. “In third grade, Mary spent a minimum of 2 hours on homework each night,” her mom says. Then she’d cry from the frustration of not getting it right. She was anxious, stressed, depressed, and she dreaded going to school.
Paying Attention to Inattention
In spite of the difficulties, there are specialists who are trained to spot ADHD in girls and boys alike. Your pediatrician can refer you to an expert who has experience diagnosing and treating children with the disorder.
Early diagnosis is ideal, but getting one at any age can open the door to much-needed services and understanding.
“It doesn’t give them a way out, but it makes them understand how their brains are different,” Steiner says. “Then they can change ‘I’m stupid’ to ‘My brain works different,’ a far more empowering message.”
Adams says she tries to remind her daughter than there are a lot of CEOs and other successful people who have ADHD. “They tend to be very out-of-the-box thinkers. That doesn’t conform to society or the school system, but it can lead to success in real life.”