Supporting High School Girls with ADHD: A Guide for Educators

At REACH ADHD Coaching and Consultancy, we work closely with high school girls diagnosed with ADHD to help them build strategies for success. ADHD in girls often presents differently than in boys, leading to underdiagnosis and overlooked challenges. Instead of hyperactivity, they may struggle with inattention, perfectionism, emotional sensitivity, and masking—hiding their struggles to fit in. This can lead to exhaustion, anxiety, and burnout.

As educators, understanding how ADHD presents in girls is crucial in ensuring they receive the right support to thrive academically and emotionally.

ADHD in girls often presents as daydreaming, forgetfulness, or emotional dysregulation.

Recognising ADHD in Girls

• ADHD in girls often presents as daydreaming, forgetfulness, or emotional dysregulation.

• Many are high achievers who overcompensate, leading to burnout.

• They may struggle with task initiation, organisation, and time management.

• Signs to look for: inconsistent academic performance, social withdrawal, perfectionism, and frequent stress-related illness.

Many are high achievers who overcompensate, leading to burnout.

“Many girls with ADHD work incredibly hard to mask their struggles, making it difficult for educators to recognise their needs. When we identify and validate their challenges, we empower them to ask for support.” – Debbie Hirte, Co-Founder, REACH ADHD Coaching

Executive Functioning Challenges

Girls with ADHD often struggle with:

• Time Management: Losing track of time or underestimating task duration.

• Organisation: Difficulty keeping track of assignments and deadlines.

• Task Initiation: Procrastination and avoidance of overwhelming tasks.

• Memory & Recall: Forgetting instructions, due dates, and previously learned content.

AI Tools to Support Girls with ADHD

At REACH ADHD, we recommend technology as a powerful tool in helping girls with ADHD develop executive functioning skills. Here are some AI-powered solutions that support learning and organisation:

• NotebookLM – Helps students collate and summarise class notes.

• Napkin.a - assists with organising ideas visually, great for planning essays.

• Reviserly – Creates AI-generated flashcards for memory retention.

• Goblin.toolS – Breaks large tasks into manageable steps.

• MyStudyLife – A digital planner to track school assignments and deadlines.

• Speechify – Converts text to speech, aiding auditory learners.

• Motion – AI-powered scheduling tool to prioritise tasks.

We recommend technology as a powerful tool in helping girls with ADHD develop executive functioning skills.

Strategies for Educators

While AI tools are helpful, teaching strategies remain crucial for student success. Here’s how educators can provide practical support:

1. Scaffold Assignments & Break Down Tasks

   • Provide step-by-step instructions with clear deadlines.

   • Use tools like Goblin.tools to break large assignments into smaller tasks.

2. Support Time Management & Routine Building

   • Encourage use of visual timers (Pomodoro technique, Time Timer apps).

   • Introduce MyStudyLife for tracking schedules and due dates.

3. Recognise Masking & Emotional Regulation Needs

   • Look for signs of exhaustion, perfectionism, or withdrawal.

   • Provide low-demand spaces where students can take short breaks.

4. Offer Alternative Ways to Demonstrate Learning

   • Allow verbal responses, mind maps, or video submissions instead of traditional essays.

   • Provide structured essay templates using NotebookLM.

5. Encourage Self-Advocacy & Support Seeking

   • Teach students how to frame questions to get the help they need.

   • Encourage open conversations about learning preferences and accommodations

“When we teach girls with ADHD how to advocate for themselves, we set them up for lifelong success. Helping them understand how they learn gives them the confidence to ask for what they need.” – Fiona Alexander, Co-Founder, REACH ADHD Coaching

“When we teach girls with ADHD how to advocate for themselves, we set them up for lifelong success. Helping them understand how they learn gives them the confidence to ask for what they need.”

Creating a Supportive Learning Environment

At REACH ADHD Coaching, we work with both students and educators to implement effective strategies. Here are some key takeaways:

• Provide clear, direct, and constructive feedback.

• Help students build a revision document from teacher feedback to track progress.

• Use NotebookLM’s timeline function or physical calendars for key dates.

• Introduce Reviserly to support visual learning and memory retention.

Girls with ADHD are often overlooked, leading to underdiagnosis and a lack of appropriate support. By recognising their challenges, using AI tools, and implementing targeted teaching strategies, educators can create an inclusive learning environment where students feel seen, heard, and empowered to succeed.

At REACH ADHD and Executive Functioning Coaching, we work alongside students to help them develop strategies for time management, organisation, and self-advocacy. If you are interested in learning more about how we can support your students, reach out to us today.

“A student who feels understood is a student who thrives.”