University of British Columbia research is revealing that many
girls suffer from attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
but aren’t being diagnosed and treated.
“Six to nine boys are being referred to ADHD services for every
one girl but studies indicate the true ratio is closer to two or
three boys to every girl,” reports Jeneva Ohan, a UBC Psychology
PhD student.
She is conducting tests to identify girls’ ADHD behaviours to
improve assessment and treatment and is active in the community.
Ohan will conduct a free workshop, Tuesday, April 17, at 7 p.m.
at the Richmond Cultural Centre, Suite 100-7700 Minoru Gate, on
the current status of research, treatments and where to go for help.
ADHD, one of the most common psychiatric childhood disorders,
is characterized by developmentally inappropriate levels of inattention
including distraction and daydreams and/or hyperactive and impulsive
behaviour such as having trouble staying seated or awaiting turns.
Approximately five per cent of children meet criteria for diagnosis
and often have a lifelong struggle with a higher risk for failing,
dropping out of school, becoming an adolescent parent, having driving
accidents and being arrested.
“Because diagnosis criteria were developed mostly on research
with boys, they may not identify how girls show problems,” says
Ohan. For example, fidgeting or squirming is included as part of
the criteria for ADHD, but whispering to classmates and doodling
instead of doing work are not.
In a study designed with Psychology Prof. Charlotte Johnston,
mothers identified current criteria used to diagnose ADHD as appropriate
for boys and behaviours not used in diagnosis as descriptive of
girls. Girls with ADHD may also be receiving treatments more appropriate
for boys.
“It’s difficult for ADHD boys to develop solid social relationships
and effective treatment has been developed,” she says. “Social relationships
are more important to girls, but research has looked at interactions
more typical of boys, such as physical aggression. Little is known
about social interactions more typical of girls, such as forming
tightly knit friendships.”
Because social relationships differ, it makes sense that ADHD
girls have different social strengths and weaknesses, says Ohan.
“We need to know these to identify children early and help them
develop to the best of their abilities.”
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