ADHD in Girls

Someone Should Have Told Me Puberty Is Worse Than ADHD

Do you sometimes feel at a loss for how to handle life with a child who has ADHD? Check out how these parents meet challenges head on, including establishing a routine and juggling the onset of puberty.

Try to help your ADHD child with organizational systems before the bubble bursts
Try to help your ADHD child with organizational systems before the bubble bursts

Setting expectations – about behavior as well as what is going to happen the next day or week – is important. Telling a child what to expect calms him down. -Karen, Wisconsin

You have to learn to be more patient. You realize that your definition of patience changes when you raise a child with ADHD. – Amye Webster, Anacortes, Washington

Don’t take things personally. I wish I had known that my child’s inability to fall asleep wasn’t my fault. I attributed her sleeplessness to my being a bad mom. I thought that if I were stricter and more consistent, she would be able to settle down and go to sleep. – Amy Knapp, Monona, Wisconsin

That a child with ADHD can be extremely focused when he wants to be. I did not realize that was possible, so I didn’t think my child had ADHD. -Anne, Los Angeles, California

[What Is ADHD Hyperfocus?]

That puberty was going to be 110 percent worse with ADHD. – Betty Hernandez, Ocala, Florida

The importance of routines and structure in a child’s life, not to mention the importance of sleep and being aware of the fact that an ADHD child can be extremely sensitive. – An ADDitude Reader

Don’t wait until a child grows older to see if troubles correct themselves. It’s easier to put organization systems and routines in place when she’s young. – Christina P., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

I wish I had known how crucial it is to help a child establish friendships. Friends can make or break a child’s life at school. – Amy Day, Beecher City, Illinois

[Self-Test: ADHD Symptoms in Women and Girls]

I wish I had known how differently ADHD affects girls. I would have better understood what my daughter was going through and tried harder to give her the support she needed. – Debbie, New Hampshire