As I watch my four-year-old daughter play and develop her individual personality, I often wonder, “Will she have symptoms of ADHD like her older sisters?” I question whether her tantrums or her inability to sit still during a movie is indicative of the disorder, or whether she’s simply behaving like an average pre-school aged kid. If she does have ADHD, she’s fortunate because I have a good grasp on the symptoms and know what strategies have worked with her sisters. However, some parents have difficulty finding available help for their daughters, since ADHD in girls is often overlooked.
Typically boys manifest ADHD symptoms early on, with hyperactivity or combative, unruly behavior being apparent. But sometimes girls with ADHD have less “classic” symptoms which aren’t as obvious, such as talking excessively and daydreaming. When the hormones of puberty kick in, symptoms can often become more troubling for girls, as impulsivity, social awkwardness and forgetfulness cause them to be rejected by peers. Unfortunately, in the teen years doctors might be reluctant to diagnose ADHD, since it is usually observed before the age of seven.
Do you see any of these symptoms in your daughter?
- Extremely disorganized
- Unusually forgetful and distractible; “zones out”
- Restless and anxious
- Messy
- Impulsive, and can’t explain her own behavior at times
- School work (and life in general) seems to overwhelm her
- Argumentative
- Difficulty maintaining friendships
- Several of the above symptoms combined with an eating disorder
Fortunately, experts are taking a fresh look at the unique symptoms of ADHD in girls versus those classically seen in boys, and new diagnostic criteria is beginning to be applied. If your daughter is older than seven, you may need to explain to the physician that these troubles have been ongoing for some time, but you are only now seeing ADHD as a possibility.
Putting the child into a rigid daily routine and setting predictable consequences for misbehavior will help these girls feel less overwhelmed. You may want to try a point system, and for some children who are having severe problems with school and relationships, medication can be tremendously helpful. I’ve previously noted that my now eleven-year-old was in constant trouble at school until she started her ADHD medication, which has enabled her to focus, control impulses, and stay away from the principal’s office for good.
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Kristyn Crow is the author of this blog. Visit her website by clicking here. Some links on this blog may have been generated by outside sources are not necessarily endorsed by Kristyn Crow.