Two Common Myths About ADHD — "Only a Boys' Problem?" "They'll Outgrow It?"

Target: All ADHD — children, adolescents, and adults Type: International Consensus + Comprehensive Review Grade: A

3-Line Summary

What: Examines two common myths about ADHD using large-scale evidence.
Myth 1 — "Only a boys' problem": Girls are also diagnosed with ADHD. However, girls tend to show more inattentive symptoms rather than hyperactivity, meaning diagnosis may be delayed or overlooked (Faraone 2021 consensus).
Myth 2 — "They'll outgrow it": Follow-up studies show that some individuals diagnosed with ADHD in childhood may continue to experience symptoms into adulthood. ADHD does not naturally resolve with growth in all cases, and management may be needed in adulthood (Faraone 2024 review).

gender-myth outgrow-myth girls-underdiagnosis adult-persistence consensus

If you are concerned about ADHD in your daughter, you can ask the specialist, "Can the evaluation also focus on inattentive symptoms?"
Even if symptoms appear to diminish as your child grows, whether they have fully resolved requires professional judgment.
When you hear "Girls don't get ADHD" or "They'll outgrow it," you can reference the evidence in this card.