ADHD missed in girls ‘as they are less rowdy’

ADHD is being missed in girls because they tend not be as badly behaved as boys, new NHS guidance suggests.

The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (Nice) said girls and women were going undiagnosed because they were less likely to have “classic” symptoms of the disorder.

Around five per cent of school-age children are thought to suffer from ADHD – a condition commonly diagnosed as a result of restlessness and impulsive behaviour, and which can often lead to disruption in the classroom.

Nice said that girls tended to have symptoms which did not suggest hyperactivity – such as difficulties concentrating, forgetfulness and poor organisational skills – and that these were more likely to go unnoticed.

Dr Gillian Baird, professor of children’s neurodisability at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and chairwoman of the Nice guideline committee, said that around half of all cases were likely to be going undiagnosed, with girls more likely to be missed.

“Among the possibilities are that boys present with more obviously disruptive behaviour,” she said.

The Nice report also suggests the drug Ritalin should be routinely prescribed for children diagnosed with ADHD, instead of saving it for a last resort when all else has failed.

The new guidance says medication should be offered to all children over the age of five if symptoms are having a “persistent significant impact” on their everyday life.