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Why Bright Girls with ADHD Are Often Overlooked

“Susie is very bright—but she needs to focus more.”

Young girl is distracted and not paying attention in a classroom

It’s a comment many parents hear in conferences and see on report cards. A capable student who seems to drift off, forgets assignments, gets distracted talking with friends, or takes longer than expected to complete her work.

For many girls, these behaviors aren’t simply habits to fix. They’re signs that something deeper may be going unrecognized.

For some families, this story feels all too familiar.

Girls are diagnosed with ADHD at nearly half the rate of boys (CHADD) -- and inattentive symptoms are often mistaken for anxiety or personality. Girls with ADHD often do not present with the stereotypical hyperactive symptoms, rather their struggles are more internalized.

ADHD in girls can look like: 
    • Daydreaming
    • Perfectionism 
    • Forgetfulness
    • Talkativeness
    • Losing track of time
 
Research shows girls with ADHD are more likely to experience anxiety and lowered self-esteem.
 
Often, these symptoms are misinterpreted or dismissed as personality traits in girls, not a sign that they are struggling.
 
Over time, the impact goes beyond academics. When ADHD and learning differences don’t look “typical,” confidence suffers. Bright girls are then often just told to “try harder.”
 
So, what can actually help girls like Susie succeed? The answer isn't more pressure -- it's a different approach to learning.
 
What’s different at DVFriends:
 
DVFriends Student Athletes smilingDVFriends Student in science class with PPE and test tubeDVFriends Student smiling towards camera

 

  • Small classes where she is seen, known, and understood
  • Teachers who can teach her how she learns
  • Executive function instruction and strategies across the curriculum help her direct her thinking and attention
  • Strength-based teaching and learning so she experiences success while addressing challenges
  • Leadership opportunities to rebuild her confidence
  • A caring community -- where she can be herself and grow into the person she's meant to be

At DVFriends, we approach learning differently. At our core, we believe every student has great potential. When girls understand how they learn and are taught in ways that support them, confidence doesn’t just return, it grows.

Susie—and every girl like her—deserves a school where she can thrive, not just survive.

Interview with Rose class of '27
DVFriends serves students who live with one or more of the following challenges:
  • Specific Learning Disability
  • Reading Disorder/Dyslexia
  • Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
  • Executive Functioning Disorder
  • Disorder of Written Expression/Dysgraphia
  • Mathematics Disorder/Dyscalculia
  • Auditory Processing Disorder
  • Expressive/Receptive Language Disorder
  • Memory or Processing Speed Challenges
  • Non-Verbal Learning Disability