Identifying characteristics of older and younger females with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

This study examines the manifestation of attention-deficit hyperactivity di sorder (ADHD) among females of varying ages by testing the utility of parti cular tests to discriminate older from younger females with ADHD. A retrosp ective clinical chart review was conducted at a community outpatient mental health center for 75 girls from 4 to 19 years of age with a diagnosis of A DHD or subthreshold symptoms of ADHD. Signal detection methods were used to identify which variables best differentiate older (mean age = 12.06, SD = 2.61) from younger (mean age = 7.11, SD = 1.08) girls with ADHD. Girls with comorbid diagnoses of a depressive disorder and higher verbal IQ scores we re more likely to be older. Overall, the findings suggest that approaches t o diagnosing ADHD among females may need to be modified to include appropri ate age-based criteria.