Girls and ADHD: Historical Overview and Emergent Research
A Social Pedagogue Supporting Girls with ADHD
Dear reader,
I’m a dedicated social pedagogue devoted to enhancing the lives of children. Today, I want to share with you a deeply personal and heartfelt perspective as a social pedagogue working with children, specifically focusing on the often overlooked group of girls with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Throughout my career, I have witnessed the challenges and triumphs of countless children, but it is the silent struggles of these girls that have left an indelible mark on my heart.
The discrepancy in ADHD diagnosis and treatment between boys and girls is well-documented in research. Studies such as “Sex Differences in ADHD Symptom Severity” by Gaub and Carlson (1997)^[1^] highlight that while boys with ADHD often exhibit more externalizing behaviors, girls tend to internalize their symptoms. This divergence, coupled with societal expectations, often leads to girls with ADHD being underdiagnosed and misunderstood.
As a social pedagogue, my role transcends the traditional confines of education. Understanding and responding to the individual needs of each child forms the cornerstone of my practice. For girls with ADHD, who often present less noticeable symptoms such as…
