ADHD Videos

Girls with ADHD Are Slipping Through the Cracks

Symptoms of ADHD in girls can be hard to decipher, which is why the condition is often overlooked and underreported by teachers and parents. Learn how to recognize it, in this video.

Kathleen Nadeau, Ph.D.
By Kathleen Nadeau, Ph.D., ADDitude Editors, Maureen Connolly Verified Updated on April 8, 2024
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Symptoms of inattentive ADHD are more common among girls. They are also easier to ignore or misdiagnose than are stereotypical symptoms of hyperactivity.

This means too many girls are growing up undiagnosed, untreated, and burdened by feelings of shame and embarrassment. Stop the cycle by evaluating your daughter’s symptoms with this self-test video.

Could Your Daughter Have ADHD?

The ratio of ADHD diagnoses in girls vs. boys is about 1 to 3. This doesn’t mean that fewer girls have ADHD; it means ADHD symptoms in girls are slipping by undiagnosed.

Why? Girls demonstrate inattentive symptoms of ADHD more often than do boys. They are more likely to stare out the window and daydream, or struggle quietly with executive functions, that are easy to overlook.

Without external hyperactivity, ADHD in girls is commonly mistaken for:

  • Hormones
  • Anxiety
  • Mood disorders
  • Learning disabilities

[Free Resource: Inattentive ADHD Explained]

Undiagnosed girls may be called:

  • Distracted
  • Ditzy
  • Lazy
  • Chatty
  • Dumb

Early detection and effective treatment are essential.

If you suspect ADHD, ask your daughter to answer these self-test questions with a Yes or No:

  1. I often feel like I want to cry, and I don’t even know why.
  2. I get a lot of stomachaches or headaches.
  3. I dread being called on in class because I’m rarely listening carefully.
  4. When I want to join a group of kids, I don’t know what to say.
  5. I feel embarrassed in class when I don’t know what the teacher told us to do.
  6. I often feel left out.
  7. Even when I have something to say, I don’t raise my hand and volunteer in class.
  8. I worry a lot.
  9. Sometimes, other kids don’t like me, and I don’t know why.
  10. I get upset and angry more than other kids do. My feelings change a lot.

If she agreed with a majority of these statements, your daughter may have symptoms that resemble ADHD. Take these results to a healthcare professional and request an evaluation.

This self-test video is not intended to diagnose or to replace the care of a healthcare professional. An accurate diagnosis can only be made through clinical evaluation. This self-test is for personal use only.