Why are ADHD symptoms in girls often overlooked by schools?

Schools often misinterpret symptoms like chattiness or disorganization as personality traits or typical behavior in girls, rather than signs of ADHD.

What are the long-term impacts of misdiagnosed ADHD in girls?

Misdiagnosis can lead to girls internalizing negative beliefs about themselves, such as being lazy or overly emotional, impacting their self-esteem.

How can schools better support girls with ADHD?

Schools can improve by training teachers to recognize non-stereotypical ADHD signs and implementing accommodations like structure and movement breaks.

Home / Health / Girls' ADHD Overlooked: Study Reveals School Blind Spots

Girls' ADHD Overlooked: Study Reveals School Blind Spots

14 Dec, 2025

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Summary

ADHD in girls often goes undiagnosed until adulthood.
Teachers misinterpret signs like chattiness as personality traits.
Misrecognition impacts girls' sense of self and well-being.

Girls' ADHD Overlooked: Study Reveals School Blind Spots

Research indicates that numerous girls exhibiting ADHD symptoms are not diagnosed until their late teens or adulthood. A recent study found that while these girls displayed signs in school, they were often not recognized as such, leading to delayed diagnoses and negative impacts on their self-perception.

The study analyzed interviews with women diagnosed with ADHD, revealing a common pattern: their behaviors, such as being talkative or disorganized, were frequently attributed to personality or typical girlhood instead of a neurodevelopmental condition. This misinterpretation resulted in many believing they were lazy or not trying hard enough.

Understanding how ADHD manifests in females is crucial, as masking symptoms can lead to anxiety and burnout. The findings suggest that diagnostic criteria, often based on stereotypical male presentations, may need revision to better identify inattentive and internalizing symptoms more common in girls.