Question 1

Is ADHD actually less common in girls, or just less recognised?

Accepted Answer

The research increasingly points to under-recognition rather than lower prevalence — girls are diagnosed later and less often, largely because the more common inattentive presentation doesn't match the disruptive behaviour most people associate with ADHD.

Question 2

My daughter does well at school — could she still have ADHD?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Many girls with ADHD work very hard to compensate, achieving good grades through significant additional effort that isn't always visible to teachers or even parents. Struggling silently while still achieving academically doesn't rule out ADHD.

Question 3

At what age is this typically recognised in girls?

Accepted Answer

There's no fixed age — presentation and recognition vary widely, and it's common for girls to be assessed later in childhood, adolescence, or even adulthood compared to boys, often at a point when previous coping strategies stop being enough.

Question 4

What does the assessment process involve?

Accepted Answer

The same thorough, consultant-led process as any ADHD assessment — developmental history, structured clinical interview, and consideration of other explanations, adapted to look carefully for the inattentive presentation more common in girls. See our ADHD Assessment page for full details.

Question 5

Could this actually be anxiety instead of ADHD?

Accepted Answer

It's possible, and the two can also occur together — this is exactly why a proper assessment considers both rather than assuming one explanation from the outset. See our page on ADHD and anxiety for more on how these are told apart.