Lana Gall, Educational Psychologist

💗 ADHD in Girls: Sometimes It Looks Different

When we picture a child with ADHD, we may picture the child who is constantly moving, calling out, interrupting, or struggling to sit still.

But what about the child who is sitting quietly at her desk… while her mind is somewhere else?

Research suggests that ADHD may present differently in girls, which may contribute to it being overlooked or identified later.

So, what might ADHD look like in a girl?

✨ Daydreaming or frequently zoning out
✨ Easily distracted, even if she isn't disruptive
✨ Forgetting instructions, assignments, or belongings
✨ Difficulty getting started on tasks
✨ Struggling with organization and time management
✨ Feeling mentally overwhelmed by everyday demands
✨ Working incredibly hard to keep up
✨ Perfectionism or fear of making mistakes
✨ Big emotions that may show up more at home
✨ Appearing anxious or overwhelmed
✨ Masking or developing strategies to hide how difficult things actually feel

Importantly, good grades do not automatically rule out ADHD.

Some girls compensate exceptionally well. They may spend much more time completing their work, rely heavily on parents or routines to stay organized, double-check everything, or quietly struggle to maintain the same performance as their peers.

A large research review on ADHD in girls and women noted that clinicians may overlook ADHD because girls' symptoms can be “less overt (but still impairing)”.

💗 ADHD doesn't have to be loud to have an impact.

Sometimes the child who isn't disrupting the classroom is still struggling significantly — we just have to know what to look for.

Awareness matters. Earlier recognition can mean earlier understanding, support, and intervention.

Research referenced: Young et al. (2024).

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🧠 ADHD DOESN’T HAVE JUST ONE “LOOK”

When people think of ADHD, they often picture a child who is constantly moving, impulsive, talkative, or unable to sit still.

But ADHD can look very different from one child to another.

There are three presentations of ADHD:

🔹 Predominantly Inattentive Presentation
Difficulty sustaining attention, getting started, staying organized, remembering instructions, managing time, keeping track of belongings, or completing tasks. These children may appear quiet, dreamy, forgetful, or “in their own world.”

🔹 Predominantly Hyperactive/Impulsive Presentation
Restlessness, excessive talking, interrupting, difficulty waiting, acting before thinking, or a strong need for movement. This is often the presentation people most readily associate with ADHD.

🔹 Combined Presentation
A combination of significant inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive symptoms.

💭 But here’s the important part: ADHD can be overlooked.

Children with more obvious hyperactive or impulsive behaviours may be noticed sooner because their ADHD can often be seen.

Inattentive ADHD can be much quieter.

A child may sit quietly at their desk but miss important parts of the lesson.
They may understand the work but struggle to get started.
They may frequently lose things or forget what they were asked to do.
They may stare out the window, seem “spacey,” or take much longer than expected to finish their work.

Sometimes, ADHD is felt internally long before the people around the child recognize it.

🧠 ADHD can be loud.
🧠 ADHD can be quiet.
🧠 ADHD can be obvious.
🧠 And ADHD can be easy to miss.

Understanding the different presentations of ADHD helps us recognize and support children who may be struggling — even when they aren’t disrupting the classroom or drawing attention to themselves.

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🍎✏️ Back-to-School is Approaching! ✏️🍎

A new school year brings new opportunities—and for some children, it also brings new challenges.

If your child has been struggling with learning, attention, memory, reading, writing, math, or emotional regulation, a psycho-educational assessment can provide valuable insight into how they learn best. Understanding your child's unique strengths and needs can help families and schools develop the right supports, accommodations, and strategies to set them up for success.

The earlier challenges are identified, the sooner the right interventions can be put in place—helping your child build confidence and thrive both academically and emotionally.

Back-to-school is the perfect time to invest in understanding your child's learning profile.

📚 Give your child the tools they need to succeed this school year.

If you'd like to learn more about psycho-educational assessments or discuss whether one may be right for your child, feel free to reach out. We're here to help.

✨ Now Accepting New Clients for Private Assessments ✨

Short wait times currently available for psychoeducational and ADHD assessments for children, teens, and post-secondary students.

Comprehensive, compassionate, and individualized assessments to help better understand learning, attention, and emotional functioning — along with practical recommendations and support strategies.

Serving families across Saskatchewan and east central Alberta.

Please message or email for more information or to inquire about booking.

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