The Best Web Resources for Women with ADHD
ADHD symptoms often look different in women and girls. Many clinicians still don’t accurately recognize and diagnose ADHD in females, but these recommended resources can offer insights and guidance regarding attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
The symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are often missed in girls because they sometimes manifest in unique ways — less physical hyperactivity, more daydreaming — and because parents, educators, and even practitioners don’t recognize the signs. Indeed, girls are more likely to be diagnosed with inattentive ADHD, as opposed to hyperactive/impulsive ADHD, which explains the poor attention to detail, limited attention span, forgetfulness, and distractibility that too often goes unnoticed or misdiagnosed. This failure to recognize ADHD in girls results in significant undertreatment.
Many women with ADHD don’t receive a diagnosis until afte their child is evaluated and diagnosed. In addition to their ADHD symptoms, these women are often shouldering the burden of restrictive gender roles, fluctuating hormones, the executive function strain of parenting, and a greater tendency toward self-doubt. The following resources can provide better understanding about how the disorder affects females, and supportive communities built specifically for women and girls with ADHD.
ADDJourneys.com
Sari Solden, author of Women with Attention Deficit Disorder, is the ADHD expert who has walked a mile in your shoes. Her site, addjourneys.com, offers tips and wisdom about living productively with ADHD. The site hosts video and audio events, a blog, and tele-classes. It also boasts a community of women around the world who offer non-judgmental support and understanding.
The Queens of Distraction
This online group coaching platform is run by Terry Matlen, MSW, ACSW, — a psychotherapist, consultant, writer, and coach specializing in adult ADHD who wrote the book Survival Tips for Women with ADHD (#CommissionsEarned). It offers support and strategies for ADHD challenges, such as getting through laundry piles, planning meals, and finishing projects around the house.
Kaleidoscope Society
The Kaleidoscope Society, founded by Margaux Joffe, director of accessibility marketing Verizon Media, is a community for and by women with ADHD. They raise awareness, understanding, and support by sharing personal stories from women sharing their journeys to an ADHD diagnosis and treatment. Advice falls into “Expert Content” or “Peer Content,” and readers are encouraged to share their personal stories with the community. The ADHD Stories Section of the Kaleidoscope Society website features these inspirational profiles and videos.
ADDA Support Group
The Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA) offers 90-minute virtual peer support groups for women ages 50 and above. The goal of the support group is to provide a safe space for women with ADHD to give and receive advice, support, and encouragement. The virtual gatherings occur every second and fourth Tuesday of the month and they are free of charge but for ADDA members only.
ADHD in Marriage: Women with ADHD
The founder of ADHDmarriage.com, Melissa Orlov is a marriage consultant who specializes in coaching couples through relationships touched by ADHD. She and Ned Hallowell blog about how to make ADHD marriages thrive. Her forum, “Women with ADHD,” is active with questions and responses regarding personal relationships, shame, rejection sensitive dysphoria, and much more.
ADDiva
Linda Roggli is an ADHD coach and author who also blogs about life as a woman with ADHD. She primarily coaches women with ADHD who are at midlife or beyond, and her website, addiva.net, serves as a network to connect them. She also runs ADHD Women’s Palooza, an annual week long convening of experts on ADHD.
The Child Mind Institute
The Child Mind Institute is dedicated to helping children and their families who are struggling with mental health and learning disabilities. Its website provides up-to-date research, articles from health care professionals, and catalogs of clinics and clinicians. Parents of girls with ADHD can get guidance from articles like “How to Help Girls with ADHD.”
CHADD – Women and Girls
Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) is a national non-profit serving individuals affected by ADHD. Its page for women and girls provides a summary of the issues most commonly faced by females with ADHD, as well as information about treatment options and medication management.
Center for ADHD Awareness, Canada
The Center for ADHD Awareness, Canada (CADDAC) offers a resource center for ADHD in Girls. It outlines how ADHD symptoms manifest in girls opposed to boys, and provides a reading list of books specifically about ADHD in girls.
Facebook Groups
Moms Living with ADD/ADHD is a support group for mothers with ADHD who are overwhelmed, frustrated, confused, or need advice. The ADHD Mama has helpful and encouraging videos illustrating what it’s like living with ADHD as a woman. ADHD coach Terry Matlen runs two groups, Moms with ADHD and Women with ADD ADHD.
Resources from ADDitude
Self-Test: ADHD Symptoms in Women
Self-Test: ADHD Symptoms in Girls
ADHD Looks Different in Women. Here’s How – and Why
Why ADHD in Women is Routinely Dismissed, Misdiagnosed, and Treated Inadequately
ADHD in Girls: Why It’s Ignored, Why That’s Dangerous
Stop the Cycle of Shame for Girls with ADHD
ADDitude ADHD Support Group – For Parents
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