Girls More Likely to Have Inattentive ADHD
By Stefanie Hamilton
The boy who can't sit still, constantly talks to his classmates, and is wild and unruly during recess gets the attention. His parents and teachers will be concerned about his high level of energy, his constant disruptions in class, and his misbehavior at home. He may have ADHD, and his parents are likely to have him assessed for the disorder.
The girl who sits quietly in class, doesn't talk much, and spends recess by herself won't get any attention at all, though she may need it just as much as the boy from the previous paragraph.
Inattentive Type ADHD
Though she doesn't fit the common stereotype of fidgety, unfocused ADHD sufferer, this girl may have a type of ADHD called "inattentive type."
- Inattentive-type ADHD is characterized by an inability to focus on one task for any length of time.
- Kids with this disorder often make careless mistakes on homework and tests, have trouble getting or staying organized, lose important things (like homework), and may not hear you when you talk to them.
Inattentive-type ADHD is more common in girls than in boys, and often goes undiagnosed for years. Where a boy with hyperactivity-type ADHD is likely to get diagnosed early in elementary school, a girl with inattentive-type ADHD may not get diagnosed until middle school.
A delayed diagnosis can severely and negatively affect both her academic performance and her self-esteem.
Girls & Inattentive Type ADHD
Girls who have inattentive-type ADHD have been known to do poorly in school.
- Because they are disorganized and forgetful, they don't turn homework in on time.
- Or they may turn in homework, only to discover they did the wrong assignment.
- Their grades suffer as a result.
- However, these students often do well on standardized tests, leading teachers and parents to believe that they're "just lazy."
A label like "laziness" can affect a girl throughout her academic career -- and beyond. She knows she's trying in school, but somehow she just isn't able to keep up. She may start to believe that is lazy, or worse -- that she's stupid.
Helping Girls Overcome Inattentive Type ADHD
A girl who is struggling with school in this way needs parents who will take time to find out what's going on. Mom and dad need to ask questions, listen, and help her articulate what she's thinking and feeling.
An elementary-school-aged girl may not be able to clearly explain why school is hard for her. Parents need to be patient. Here are some questions that might help.
- Can you see/hear the teacher OK?
- Are you worried about something? (This could be any number of things that Dr. Barbara Howard calls "social preoccupation." A parent losing a job, marital tension or a pending divorce, financial hardships, alcohol or drug abuse in the home, etc. Any of these could weigh on a child's mind, making concentration difficult.)
- Is it hard for you to remember things?
- Is it hard for you to pay attention?
Though these questions aren't enough to make a definitive diagnosis, they can offer guidance for next steps.
The first two questions are important because they rule out non-ADHD factors. A child who has hearing or vision difficulties is likely to tune out in class. The same is true of a child who is worried about a situation at home.
An accurate diagnosis is needed to ensure proper treatment. If you suspect your child may have inattentive-type ADHD, consult a pediatrician who has experience with ADHD and won't rush to either a diagnosis or pharmacological treatment.