Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Skipton T. Mckenzie
EDU 613
Dr. Miller-Nara
societal functions. Although many exclusionary practices have been addressed and
improved, such practices continue to shape and influence many important aspects
of American life. Technology is pervasive in our society, yet a digital divide exists
for many groups of people. Women are one of these groups. Within this group are
women with ADHD, who could be considered subject to a “double” digital divide.
This became surprisingly clear when researching articles for this paper. Using the
ADHD Women 2
articles. A similar Google search only provided such results as a blog with
information about women and ADHD, or a video of people talking about women with
ADHD. For this paper, I provide a brief history of ADHD and women with ADHD, a
discussion of the digital divide and women, thedefinition of ADHD, the impact of
Research and information on adults with ADHD is a more recent topic and
(2003) reports that only in the past six or seven years has any research focused on
adult ADHD (p. 1). He adds, “And the recognition of females [with the disorder] has
lagged even further behind” (p. 1). Nadeau (1998) explains that girls and women
with ADD have traditionally been ignored because it was considered a male
problem, affecting only a few girls and women (p. 1). Information from the National
Resource Center on AD/HD (WWK19, p.1) indicates that girls with ADHD are often
overlooked, few studies have been conducted on women with ADHD, women are
only recently being diagnosed and treated for ADHD, and much of what we know is
based on clinical experience. Very little research has been published about social
skills in adults with ADHD (WWK15, p. 1). Dlugokinski (2008, p. 2) recognizes the
encouraging efforts of Kathleen Nadeau, PhD, and Patricia Quinn, MD, who founded
the National Center for Gender Issues and ADHD (NCGI), which researches ADHD in
females.
The Mayo Clinic estimates that 7.5% of school-aged children have ADHD
(Matlen, p. 1). Matlen goes on to explain that most of these children grow up to be
adults with ADHD, which means there are 4.5 to 5.5 million women in the United
States with ADHD. Boys are more frequently diagnosed than girls by a ratio of 3:1
ADHD Women 3
(Manos, 2005, p. 1). Megan Dlugokinski (2008), editor of “Attention Disorder Site,”
believes that because girls tend not to be disruptive and hyperactive, but rather shy
and compliant, they are not identified, which results in them not being identified
until they are maybe in their 30’s or 40’s (p. 1). Adelizzi (cited in Crawford), a
researcher and educational therapist, “. . . theorizes that females with ADHD have
girls, who typically have attention deficit disorder (ADD), the inattentive type of
EDUCATION, “Solomon et al. (2003) take the position that digital inequities are
extensions of inequities in society (p. xvii). Swain and Pearson (2001, p.10, cited in
education” (p. xvii). Irving (1998, cited in Solomon) reports that, “Today 60 percent
of jobs require skills with technology, and people who use computers on the job
earn 43 percent more than other workers” (p. xvii). Solomon adds that, “. . . today
a high school education and basic technology skills are minimum requirements for
In Chapter Nine of Solomon’s book, Schrum and Geisler cite some important
data regarding girls and women, and technology. The U.S. Department of Education
only six percent of those students enrolled in Business and Artificial Intelligence” (p.
116). Bernstein (2000, cited in Schrum & Geisler) found that the percentage of
ADHD Women 4
women in IT occupations in the U.S. declined from 40.2 percent in 1986 to 28.9
percent in 1999 (p. 116). He adds that this is despite an upward trend in needs and
opportunities in the technology field. A study from the National Council for
Research on Women (Thom, 2001, cited in Schrum & Geisler) found that although
women had made significant progress in the sciences, previous gains in computer
science and engineering had stopped or reversed (p. 116). Schrum & Geisler
discuss cultures effect on society and note that, “. . . our society perpetuates
engineers, and that computers are for boys” (p. 116). Studies have shown that girls
are more ambivalent about technology and boys are more positive (Schrum &
Geisler, p. 119), and “Girls, unlike boys, are not expected to know about
technological matters; and are often encouraged to be merely consumers and users
of technology (Berber, 1984; Carter & Kirkup, 1990; Cockburn, 1988)” (cited in
Schrum & Geisler, p.119). Koch (1994, p. 14) found that, “. . . feelings of
incompetence and alienation from technology start or are reinforced in school. How
girls and women relate to technology and the value that they bring to it are often
ignored or devalued in education” (cited in Schrum & Geisler, p. 120). Studies have
found that for women to overcome gender stereotypes and boundaries in careers
they need role models, mentors, and supportive families and friends (Schrum &
positive attitudes about the use and possibilities for technology in their lives,”
Schrum and Geisler (p. 127) provide the following suggestions for educators:
technology in context, not just for technology’s sake; technology to solve genuine
technology for design not just consumption. Mumtaz (2001) notes that, “Even after
ADHD Women 5
controlling for family income and for social and cultural capital, it has been shown
that computer use in the home improves test scores in math and reading” (cited in
Schrum & Geisler, p. 128). Several researchers have demonstrated the positive
effects of home computer use on success in school (Schrum & Geisler, p. 128).
Schrum & Geisler (p. 128) provide the following suggestions to help at home in
providing more equitable perspectives and experiences for girls: raise you own
positive role model; ask your daughter for help; look for activities you can do with
your daughter, for example exploring the World Wide Web; and introduce girls and
Chicago, cites research that shows almost 80% of ADHD is attributable to genetic
factors (cited in Zamora, 2006, p. 2). Professionals have long believed that ADHD
went away with maturation and that such a diagnosis was not applicable to adults
(Barkley, Fischer, Edelbrock, & Smallish, 1990; Biederman et al., 1993; Herrero,
Hechtman, & Weiss, 1994; Mannuzza, Klein, Bessler, Malloy, & LaPadula, 1993, cited
in Jackson, p. 312). ADHD usually begins before age 7 (DuPaul, 2001, p. 1), and is
South Carolina, explains that ADHD has an equally great impact on men and
women, and that both will have problems with memory, driving, school, the
such as weight (cited in Zamora, p. 2). Manos explains that because ADHD is
biogenetic, the symptoms are not different; in other words, brain function is the
same in men and women. The difference occurs in the behavioral expression of
brain function, and these can be very different. He points out that ADHD girls, and
subsequently ADHD women, tend to have an external locus of control, which results
in feeling she is a victim of circumstances, that circumstances control her life, and
her own efforts are ineffective. “Women often get diagnosed after they have
brought in a child for treatment” (Watkins, 2004, p. 2). Information from Women
and ADHD #19 (CHADD) indicates that after learning about her child’s ADHD, a
because their life is out of control, whereas other women may successfully hide
exhausted. In addition to an external locus of control, women with ADHD are more
likely to have depressive symptoms, lower self-esteem, are more stressed and
anxious, and engage in coping strategies that are more emotion-orientated (use
problems). Matlen (p. 2) explains that many women are anxious and/or depressed
because they have struggled many years with undiagnosed ADHD. She also notes
Patricia Quinn (2004, p. 1-2), MD, explains that estrogen exerts profound
effects on mood, mental status, and memory, and that it improves memory and
does not affect spatial memory. Low levels are associated with PMS, postnatal
this critical information is often overlooked in treating women with ADHD. For
example, as they enter perimenopause and “flashes” begin, they experience more
problems with their ADHD symptoms or their stimulant medication does not seem to
work. Coping mechanisms that worked previously for her ADHD may not work as
well when she enters menopause. Zamora (2004, p.2) notes the “emotional
the drastic changes in hormone levels. Add ADHD to this, and a woman can
become overly stressed. Zamora also mentions iron deficiency during menstruation
and other mental disorders. She notes research that has shown a mild iron
deficiency can affect cognitive skills, and in combination with ADHD can also tax a
in women in general, and they are commonly experienced by people with ADHD.
Maryland, explains that ADD can be mild, moderate, or severe. Some women cope
until they become mothers, and others collapse when the second baby comes. The
explains that stress is temporary and can be relieved at the end of the day, with life
returning back to normal. However, for a woman with ADHD, there is no such relief
if you might have ADHD: have trouble completing projects and jump from one
activity to another; were told by parents and teachers that you should have tried
you intended; are frequently rushing, over-committed, often late; make impulsive
life; have a disorderly purse, car, closet, household; are easily distracted from the
task you are doing; go off on tangents in conversations – may tend to interrupt; and
Nadeau (2000, p. 1) indicates that there are two reasons why women with
ADHD are more challenged in the workplace then men with attentional problems:
”1) Women in the workplace are more likely to be the support system for someone
else rather than to have a support system. 2) Women with ADHD, just as for all
women in the workplace, are expected to work a ‘second shift’ at home, as the
primary homemaker and parent.” She provides a long list of strategies for a woman
to cope with ADHD, The following is an abbreviated list: don’t compare yourself to
others – find an activity level that is comfortable for you and your family; focus on
task that are best suited to you; delegate tasks that are most difficult for you; prior
– don’t keep doing things because you always did them that way; simplify; get the
whole family involved and develop a schedule; give yourself guilt-free down time;
try to make your home and work environment ADHD-friendly; and consider finding a
Information from the National Resource Center on ADHD (Women and ADHD:
WWK19) indicates that, “There are very few clinicians experienced in treating adult
ADHD, and even fewer who are familiar with the unique issues faced by women with
ADHD” (p. 2). It is recommended that a woman take a multimodal approach that
ADHD Women 9
Watkins(2204) explains that stimulants are generally the first ones tried (p.
3). Matlen notes that, “The most common medications used are the stimulants
Information from ADDvance (Special Issues for Women with ADHD, 2004)
explains the importance of an ADHD woman educating her partner so they can help
her create ADD-accommodating and ADD-friendly home. This will also help prevent
any resentment and assumptions that she just does not care. An ADD-friendly
environment is one of acceptance and good humor, which will also reduce tensions.
In cooperation with her partner, she could schedule time periods away from the kids
and related responsibilities, and also use babysitters. Summer camps and visits
Social skills for women with ADHD can be a very problematic area of their life.
WWK15 from the National Resource Center on ADHD reports that 50% to 60% of
children with ADHD have trouble getting along with other children, and that because
adults with ADHD have not learned these skills they are often lonely and isolated.
They may be lacking such social skills as listening, polite behavior, and following
through on responsibilities. Because ADHD is not a disability others can see, the
ADHD Women 10
relationships. The following are some abbreviated strategies for improving social
skills: pay close attention to what others say; be alert to what others are doing –
look for clues about proper behavior; think before you speak; clarify what people
say; set goals one at a time; and use prompts, such as index cards, a vibrating
watch set every four minutes to remind you to be quiet, or a gesture from someone
This paper has provided a brief history of ADHD and women with ADHD, a
discussion of the digital divide and women, the definition of ADHD, the impact of
ADHD in women, and strategies for managing ADHD in women. Research has
shown that there are disparities between boys and girls expectations and
interaction with technology. Girls and women are not expected to use technology
for meaningful educational learning and to pursue a career in this field. Women
with ADHD face unique challenges related to this disorder. Although the search for
literature related to women with ADHD and their interaction with technology for this
References
ADHD Women 11
gender bias in
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art27253.asp
DuPaul, G.J., Schaughency, E.A., Weyandt, L.L., Tripp, G., et al. (2001, Jul/Aug). Self-
report of ADHD
prevalence. Journal of
Learning Disabilities, 34(4), 370. Retrieved May 10, 2008, from ProQuest
Direct database.
Jackson, B., & Farrugia, D. (1997, March/April). Diagnosis and Treatment of Adults
With Attention
312.
Manos, M.J. (2005, October 26). Ask the Experts about ADHD. From Medscape
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/515209
ADHD Women 12
References
http://www.helpstartshere.org
Deficit Disorder
http://www.add.org/articles/overwhelmed.html
Nadeau, K.G. (2000). Women with ADHD in the Workplace: Juggling the Dual
Responsibilities of Home
and Work. Attention Deficit Disorder Resources. Retrieved April 26, 2008,
from
http://www.addresources.org/article_adhd_women_workplace_nadeau.php
National Resource Center on ADHD. Interacting with Others: Tips for Adults with
ADHD (WWK15).
http://www.help4adhd.org/en/living/relandsoc/WWK15S
National Resource Center on ADHD. Women and ADHD (WWK19). Retrieved May 9,
2008, from
http://www.help4adhd.org/en/livingwomengirls/WWK19
ADHD Women 13
Quinn, P.O. (2004). Hormones and ADD(ADHD) in women. ADDvance. Retrieved May
9, 2008, from
http://www.addvance.com/help/women/hormones.html
References
Watkins, C.E. (2004). Treating Girls and Women with Attention Deficit Disorder.
Northern County
http://www.ncpamd.com/Treatment_of_women_and_girls_with_ADHD.htm
Zamora, D. (2006). Suffering in Silence: Women With Adult ADHD. From WebMD.
Retrieved
http://www.webmd.com/content/Article/95/103354.htm?printing=true