Is ADD/ADHD more common in boys than in girls?
It is a common belief that ADD/ADHD is far more prevalent in boys than in girls. Research suggests that 5 to 10 percent of school-aged children in the United States will be diagnosed with ADD/ADHD, and boys are three or four times more likely to be diagnosed than girls. However, recent research indicates that ADD/ADHD is under-diagnosed in girls. Boys are more likely to display the hyperactive/impulsive symptoms of ADD/ADHD, whereas girls are more likely to experience only the inattentive symptoms. Hyperactive and impulsive behaviors (e.g., fidgeting, getting out of their seats in school, blurting out answers) typically make the disorder more noticeable at home and in the classroom and lead to a far greater referral rate for boys. However, the inattentive symptoms (e.g., poor attention to details, forgetfulness, distractibility) can be just as detrimental to educational success, self-esteem, and social relationships. Often ADD/ADHD in females goes unrecognized until school work becomes
