Some people believe that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) occurs only in boys. While ADHD is more prevalent in boys than in girls during childhood, the number evens out in adulthood, according to Psych Central.

ADHD applies to both children and adults, and there’s barely a difference between women and men getting diagnosed with ADHD. Furthermore, ADHD does not differ in men and women in adulthood though boys do tend to be diagnosed earlier and more frequently.

Mr. William Woessner, school psychologist, explained that there are three types of ADHD: hyperactive impulsive, inattentive and combined.
The first type of ADHD is hyperactive impulsive. This happens to be thought of as the little kid bouncing off the walls or climbing on the desks. Children who are diagnosed with hyperactive impulsive are usually identified early in elementary school.

Next, is the inattentive type which Mr. Woessner explains as spacey. Often times the kids appear to be referred to as space cadets because they daydream and seem to be off in the clouds; however, they sound quiet and don’t disrupt the classroom.

Often times this is where some see more girls because girls tend to be more compliant with rules, according to Addvance.com.
According to Webmd.com there are different types of symptoms for inattentive and hyper impulsive. Some symptoms seem more obvious than others. For example, fidgeting or squirming are more noticeable than not listening. Finally the last type is the combined type where there are elements of both.

Teachers and parents frequently overlook ADHD in girls because their symptoms happen to be different from boys. Symptoms in boys and girls differ. Boys often have more “eternalizing” symptoms such as hitting or impulsivity, while girls generally obtain the “internalizing” symptoms and side effects, for example, depression or low self esteem, according to Helpguide.org.

According to Healthline.com, it has been proven that boys generally act out physically whereas girls tend to be more verbally aggressive.
Usually psychologists, psychiatrists and pediatricians diagnose ADHD according to the symptoms of hyperactive or impulsive inattentiveness shown over a period of time and in different environments, not just at home or at school.

Dr. Jennifer Burton, school psychologist at Donges Bay and Lake Shore, helps children who have ADHD. She either works with them one-on-one or assesses whether one has ADHD or not. Burton says she sees more girls with the inattentive type and boys with the hyperactive impulsive type in the Mequon Thiensville School District. She also adds that overall girls exist to be underdiagnosed and boys are overdiagnosed.

According to the Child Center Study Online, boys happen to be three times more likely to be diagnosed than girls because boys generally possess the hyper impulsive types whereas girls have the inattentive type. So the question is, will a teacher notice a little boy talking non-stop or the little girl daydreaming in the back row? Girls’ quieter natures prolongs identification because sometimes it may take longer for girls to be diagnosed and get the help that they need.

Georgia Miller, freshman with ADHD, says, “Sometimes I do feel a little different because it is harder to socialize, and I have a hard time controlling it, but you learn to control it.”

Diagnosed in fifth grade, Miller takes a medication called Metadate to help her calm down and focus. When asked about her take on ADHD and gender Miller responded, “ADHD can be in any gender. It is not based on what gender you are; it is just something you get.” Statistics show, however, that ADHD is more common in boys in their adolescence.

A parent with a daughter who has ADHD shared that in her experience, “there is a fine line between knowing if your child’s behavior is the best to be expected with medicine and behavioral therapy or if you’re just not holding the child accountable for his or her behavior.”
“Siblings may view the parents as making excuses for the child with ADHD. Parents wish the siblings could be more understanding that some behaviors cannot be overcome by willpower.”

“I personally think having ADHD as a girl is tough because girls can be less accepting of girls who appear different. I’ve seen other girls shy away or give my daughter strange looks if she is talking a lot, distracted or a little hyper. Girls have told my nine year old she has issues. Having a child with ADHD is stressful for the family,” the parent said.