Girls with ADHD Face Risks as Adults

Results of a new study conducted through the Universite de Montreal has found that hyperactive and aggressive behaviors in young girls can have negative effects on them as adults. The study followed 881 Canadian girls from age 6 until they turned 21 years old.

"'This study shows that hyperactivity combined with aggressive behavior in girls as young as six years old may lead to greater problems with abusive relationships, lack of job prospects and teenage pregnancies."

About 25 percent of the girls who had behavioral issues as children grew out of them, leading researchers to believe that more study is needed into hyperactivity and aggression triggers. Read more at PsychCentral.com.

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Faith in a Daughter with ADHD

Shortly after Allison started kindergarten, she was diagnosed with, among other things, Attention Deficit Disorder. Over the years, as her parents have helped her adapt, study, and grow; as they've advocated for her education – they've discovered a myriad of strengths in amongst her few weaknesses.

"She is wonderfully empathetic, the first one to offer soothing words to those who've had their feelings hurt. She's got a great work ethic and has recently taken to snapping on the light and studying after bedtime. She's a gifted athlete who taught herself to bat left-handed when she realized that's how Hideki Matsui of the Yankees bats."

Her parents have also learned that they experience things many other parents do not; guilt, fatigue, sometimes even envy. But one thing they share with parents worldwide is faith in their child and her ability to "do just fine in life".

New Leaf Academy helps girls with ADHD learn how to control their emotions. New Leaf is a junior boarding school for troubled girls with campuses in Oregon and North Carolina.

Girls May Get Missed

Say "ADHD" and most people think of a child who can't sit still, climbs on furniture and takes dangerous risks. That description is largely true for boys, but ADHD in girls looks very different.

"Girls who have the inattentive type of ADHD may space out in class, miss turning in homework or have trouble starting or finishing projects..."

Because the symptoms in girls are more "low key", many girls get overlooked and are called "daydreamers" or "chatter boxes". Girls who struggle to focus in the classroom, have trouble completing homework assignments on time (or at all), or seem unusually disorganized should see a doctor who is capable of making an official diagnosis.

Girls with ADHD can get the academics and therapy they need to control their feelings at New Leaf Academy.

Girls with ADHD may Look, Act Differently

When parents hear the term "ADHD", they typically think of a child running wild through the house or on the playground. For boys with ADHD, that's a fairly accurate description. However, girls are more likely have the inattentive type of ADHD, causing them to daydream or to have trouble concentrating. Because of this difference, their ADHD may go undiagnosed for years.

"The interesting thing is that these girls with inattentive ADHD will do well on standardized tests in some cases. So, parents and teachers recognize their ability, but since they're still underachieving in the classroom, they are called lazy, and it can affect self-esteem."

Symptoms in girls with inattentive ADHD include forgetfulness, disorganization, easy distractibility, and difficulty focusing on material in school. Read more at UnderstandingADHD.com.