Parents across India, Uganda, and the wider region keep asking the same question.
Why do ADHD signs in girls start showing with force only when puberty arrives.
Why do so many girls move through childhood without support.

I hear this story weekly in sessions. A soft spoken girl who daydreams through class. A child who follows rules yet collapses in tears later. A bright student who never complains but carries silent overload inside her chest. These patterns matter. They slip through systems that still expect ADHD to look loud and explosive.

What sets girls apart during puberty

Girls often turn storms inward.
More guilt. More tears. More overthinking.
Boys tend to push emotions outward. Faster reactions. Quicker bursts.

Large reports from global bodies such as the CDC and NHS show girls with ADHD often remain undiagnosed in their early school years because their signals look quieter. More zoning out. More people pleasing. More tired smiles at the end of the day.

Recent findings across India and East Africa continue to point in the same direction. Many girls only get flagged in the preteen or teen years while boys often get noticed much earlier. Studies in child psychiatry across 2021 to 2024 highlight this trend without exception. Earlier support shapes confidence. Later support creates gaps that show up in friendships and classroom participation.

Why this delay happens so often

Schools still look for the classic picture. Running around. Shouting. Distraction that hits the whole class at once.
Girls often mask. They try to meet expectations. They push through tasks even when their brain signals are out of sync with the demand of the day.

Teachers and parents who work with boys often say they saw the behaviour early.
Teachers and parents who work with girls often say they saw the struggle only when hormones shifted everything during puberty.
That shift brings emotional intensity, a faster swing in focus, and deeper pressure to keep up.

A simple household support tool

A tiny mood tracker helps parents notice patterns.
One small printable chart for the week.
At the end of each day the child chooses one sticker.

Happy
Neutral
Tired
Sad

No lecture. No pressure.
The sticker starts the chat without forcing the entire emotional load into one conversation.

Families use this method across my sessions and report calmer evenings within two weeks. The visual cue makes emotions easier to express. The routine gives structure without controlling the child.

How teachers can adapt this tool

Shadow teachers often tell me they need something quick.
So here is a classroom version.

Place a small chart at the corner of the desk.
During transition moments ask the learner to point to the sticker that fits the moment.
This keeps the classroom flow smooth and helps children shift tasks without confusion.

What parents should watch for in the teen years

If your daughter often shows these patterns, consider a professional assessment.

• Heavy emotional swings during school stress
• Daydreaming that interferes with classwork
• Strong perfection pressure
• Frequent tears after school
• Tired behaviour after social situations
• A pattern of masking or pleasing adults to avoid conflict

Early support does not label a child. Early support gives a child room to breathe.

Sources

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ADHD Diagnostic Trends in Girls.
• National Health Service UK. ADHD in Girls.
• Global child psychiatry reviews through 2021 to 2024 that highlight late identification in girls across multiple regions.
• UNESCO and UNICEF reports on gendered education patterns that influence recognition.

For EducateAble readers

Parents
Join the monthly Support Circle. Sixty minutes of shared learning with real tools you can apply at home and school.

Shadow Teachers and Educators
Explore the Alison courses on shadow teaching and classroom inclusion. Practical modules. Clear tools.
Enroll through EducateAble resources.

Therapists and Counsellors
Stay connected for new expressive arts worksheets. New activities drop monthly.

Final thought

Girlhood with ADHD should not feel like a silent battle. With the right support at the right time, children build confidence that lasts well beyond puberty.
Small actions create steady change.