Sweet, Savannah
Social Justice
Mr. Muir
7 March 2023
Capstone Paper
Loud, disruptive, and impulsive make up the stereotypical behaviors of ADHD. It
is what teachers look for in the classroom, parents notice in their kids, and what children
observe of themselves. This investigative process works great– in males. On the contrary to
externalized behaviors, females with ADHD internalize their symptoms. Girls have the
same issue with focus and attention, just direct it inwards and are less likely to be
disruptive in class. The lack of obvious symptoms leads them to being overlooked for
ADHD, and just found to be immature of dumb. I was one of those overlooked kids. I
showed all the symptoms, unable to focus, incredibly messy and disorganized, would
complete my homework but fail to turn it in, heavy procrastinator, but still winning trophies
in chess club and perfect scores on math tests. My parents and teachers just accepted the
fact that I was an extroverted student with too much energy. It wasn’t until the pandemic
though Tik Tok, that I found out what ADHD was. After speaking to numerous
psychologists, they all agreed that I had ADHD. It made so much sense for me, but not to
my parents. My mother did not believe I had ADHD as I got all A’s, had a happy demeanor,
and was a “good kid”. It was not until I showed her the differences when she realized the
difference between ADHD in boys versus girls. Many see ADHD as an over diagnosed
excuse for people to be lazy. It isn’t. There are numerous studies and research that prove
ADHD wires the brain differently in a neurobiological way, we are literally “just wired
differently”. Being diagnosed with ADHD is one thing, but getting treatment is another.
Treatment is vital for students to succeed in the classroom, and be able to overcome their
symptoms.
ADHD, or attention deficiency hyperactivity disorder, is a neurodevelopmental
disorder relating to attention issues. Despite many myths, ADHD is not just people being
lazy or unintelligent, people with ADHD have brains that are literally wired differently.
What drives ADHD brains? It’s not grades, it's not parents or loved ones, it is the
dopamine. Dopamin is what signals to our brain pleasure, like when drinking hot cocoa on
a cold winter night. This also comes from performing short tasks, like watching Tik Tok,
which supplies a different hit of dopamine per video. The way dopamine is transported in
the brain is different for ADHD minds however. For example, “the lack of receptors and
transporters prevents the cellular uptake of
neurotransmitters”(attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)). This leads to the
constant stream of changing quick thoughts, excess of emotions, and sensory stimuli and
the necessity for fidgets. The cause for inhibition in ADHD minds is believed to be a result
of the imbalance of the “The cortical-striatal-thalamic-cortical circuit, a chain of neurons in
the brain that connects the prefrontal cortex, the basal ganglia, and the thalamus in one
continuous loop”(attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)). This split of the
separate lobes and lack of connection deprives the brain of the ability to maintain a healthy
inhibition. One study found that “the corpus callosum, the band of nerve fibers that
connects the two hemispheres of the brain, contained slightly less tissue in those with
ADHD”(attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)). Being wired differently is not
wrong or bad, people with ADHD think differently and require alternative learning tools to
most students.
Starting in adolescence, teachers and parents are easily able to identify boys with
ADHD due to the disruptive, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that is generally associated
with ADHD. They are more prone to be disruptive in class, whether that is starting physical
altercations and getting angry quickly, talking during class, and the inability to pay
attention, these disruptive behaviors are hard for teachers to ignore. The host of symptoms
that is summed up by ADHD creates an overgeneralization of diagnoses. If a boy get too
rowdy, or expresses some attention deficit signs, doctors may be quick to label that child as
ADHD, as parents are hopeful that the wonder drug, or ritalin, may be used to calm their
healthy son down. It is not a negative attribute to have too much energy, to run around like
a kid and to be social in class. Being put on medications that are unnecessary only further
harms the child in negative ways. Girls, however, fall on the opposite side of the spectrum
as they are heavily underdiagnosed. Because girls do not present with the stereotypical
presentations as young boys, girls are often overlooked with their symptoms as immature.
In contrast to boys, girls internalize their symptoms, which later bubble up in negative
ways. It has been found that in girls with ADHD, they are more prone to develop anxiety or
depression. Experts hypothesize these complex emotions stem from the need to cope with
their internalization of their ADHD. Due to this stark contrast of diagnoses, boys are more
likely to be diagnosed, leaving many girls without the help and support from their disorder.
The most common and effective treatment for ADHD is medication. A few
popular medicines include ritalin and concerta. These act as stimuli to the brain, like the
caffeine in coffee. While for most this would make them hyperactive and awake, it
dampens the receptors in the brain receiving dopamine resulting in a calmer and more
focused state. The same paradoxical effect is in coffee or other caffeinated drinks. Alternate
treatment can include meditation, as it is believed to thicken for your prefrontal cortex, the
part of the brain responsible for making decisions. Therapy is another treatment plan,
however due to the chemical imbalance in the brain it may only be used as a tool to help
students come up with strategies to manage their ADHD. Diagnosis and treatment is
critical for adolescents, especially for girls. Unlike boys who take out their frustration on
others, girls often internalize their incapabilities. This results in poorer mental health, and
increase in anxiety and depression. Because girls often blame themselves and keep quiet
about their struggles, it is not until later in their life they realize what they had. For many
students with ADHD, a 504 plan is given to help accommodate their learning disorder. This
usually means they get a few more minutes to complete a test or an extra day to complete
homework. This is a necessity for many students with ADHD, as while completing the
work is easy, the organization to turn it in and stay on task is extremely difficult.
Boys and girls are different in unique ways, especially when it comes to
presentations of ADHD. According to a large study, it is estimated that 5 boys have adhd to
2 girls having it. This results in the false myth that ADHD is more prevalent in boys, as
girls remain undiagnosed until their later years like highschool. During quarantine, social
media became extremely popular as it was one of the few ways society could still connect.
Over one popular app ‘Tik Tok,’ information about the attention disorder went viral. This
mass spread of information mimicked the boy’s over diagnosis issue, as many teens over
the internet self-diagnose themselves instead of seeking a diagnosis from a professional.
This did not help with the belief that adhd was only kids being lazy or dumb, as many
students did not end up having adhd, only mimicking symptoms almost like mass hysteria.
ADHD is a valid disorder that affects roughly 15% of our US population, although many
are yet to belive. These hurtful beliefs negatively affect ADHD students in classrooms, as a
handful of biased teachers may overlook their accommodations, accommodations given by
certified professionals. Girls with ADHD can not be overlooked. They are smart people
whose brains are only wired differently. This disorder does not affect their logical or social
intelligence. Treatment and support for ADHD is vital, hence identifying possible students
with ADHD is necessary, so knowing the different presentations between girls and boys is
key to helping students succeed.
Works Cited
Wikipedia,
https://school.eb.com/levels/high/article/attention-deficithyperactivity-disorder/417
87. Accessed 7 March 2023.
Griffin, Mark J. “ADHD in Girls vs. ADHD in Boys.” Understood.org,
https://www.understood.org/en/articles/do-boys-and-girls-show-same-adhd-sympto
ms. Accessed 7 March 2023.
“How ADHD Affects Girls vs. Boys.” Mile High Psychiatry,
https://milehighpsychiatry.com/how-adhd-affects-girls-vs-boys/. Accessed 7
March 2023.
Laguaite, Madeline. “ADHD in Girls: Which Symptoms Are Unique?” WebMD, 25
August 2022,
https://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/childhood-adhd/adhd-symptoms-girls.
Accessed 7 March 2023.
Legg, Timothy J., and Matt Berger. “ADHD Symptoms Differ in Boys and Girls.”
Healthline,
https://www.healthline.com/health/adhd/adhd-symptoms-in-girls-and-boys.
Accessed 18 January 2023.
Winther, Erik. “ADHD in girls and boys – gender differences in co-existing symptoms and
executive function measures.” NCBI, 9 November 2013,
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3827008/. Accessed 18 January
2023.
Winther, Erik. “ADHD in girls and boys – gender differences in co-existing symptoms and
executive function measures.” NCBI, 9 November 2013,
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3827008/. Accessed 7 March
2023.
Savannah Sweet
Block 5
Capstone Project Title: Help supporting learning differences in young students.
Girls and boy’s share many traits through childhood and highschool, ADHD is
where they distinctly differ.
Thesis Statement: Presentation of ADHD symptoms greatly varies between young
boys and young girls, this leads to a deficit of girls being diagnosed and getting the
help they need to succeed. ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder.
BOYS VS. GIRL PRESENTATION:
● Predominantly inattentive presentation
○ Hard for individual to organize or finish a task
○ Hard to pay attention to details
○ Difficulty to follow instructions or conversations
○ Easily distracted or forgets details of daily routines
WHAT IS ADHD:
● One of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood
● You do not grow out of ADHD, you can not get rid of it
WHY TREATMENT FOR BOYS/ GIRLS IS CRUCIAL:
● adolescent girls with ADHD have lower self-efficacy and poorer coping strategies
than adolescent boys with ADHD;
○ rates of depression and anxiety may be higher, and
○ physical aggression and other externalizing behaviors lower in girls
● Men with ADHD seem to be incarcerated more often than women with ADHD.
● females with ADHD are less likely to be referred for treatment than males with
ADHD.
Getting diagnosed
● Where to get help
● Getting help at a young age
● Cheaper options near you
Conclusion:
● Differences
● Why both need help
● How to help
● Getting diagnosed at an early age.
Articles
Legg, Timothy J., and Matt Berger. “ADHD Symptoms Differ in Boys and Girls.”
Healthline,
https://www.healthline.com/health/adhd/adhd-symptoms-in-girls-and-boys.
Accessed 18 January 2023.
Winther, Erik. “ADHD in girls and boys – gender differences in co-existing symptoms and
executive function measures.” NCBI, 9 November 2013,
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3827008/. Accessed 18 January
2023.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3827008/
https://www.healthline.com/health/adhd/adhd-symptoms-in-girls-and-boys