🌟 Recap: Anxiety & ADHD in Girls - Tips on Earlier Identification and Empowerment
with Dr. Nerissa Bauer
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our September Parent Group meeting with the incredible Dr. Nerissa Bauer! Even though the recording isn’t available, we don’t want you to miss the key takeaways. We’ve included select slides from her talk below, but hit the button to scroll through all of them for a deeper dive into the discussion!
Dr. Bauer took us on a journey into the world of ADHD in girls, where symptoms can look very different than the stereotypes. She highlighted how ADHD is often missed or misunderstood in girls, who may appear more “daydreamy” than “hyper,” and how anxiety often complicates the picture.
✨ Case Studies in Action
Dr. Bauer walked us through three real-life scenarios to show how evaluations and treatment decisions unfold.
One story you’ll see in the slides is about Ava, a 14-year-old who struggled with zoning out in class, fidgeting, and worrying about missing important details. Using both parent/teacher Vanderbilt forms and objective testing (QB Check), Ava’s evaluation showed attentional challenges but wasn’t a simple, clear-cut case — reminding us that ADHD diagnoses often require a thoughtful, layered approach.
The second story is of Emily, a child with ADHD and significant emotional dysregulation — ADHD rarely travels alone! We saw how different treatment approaches can be used and why follow up is important.
We also met Maddie, who was also interviewed in a recent podcast episode of ADHD Mom Docs, Dr Bauer’s podcast with Kansas City’s Dr Jennifer Dilts. You can listen to the full episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and follow ADHD Mom Docs for more fabulous information!
Dr. Bauer also emphasized:
Prevalence & recognition: ADHD in girls is more common than most realize, but it often flies under the radar.
Anxiety’s role: Anxiety frequently shows up alongside ADHD, making diagnosis and support more complex.
Parent strategies: She shared practical, compassionate advice for supporting kids, from therapeutic approaches to tweaking the environment to help them succeed.
👉 Be sure to click on the button to scroll through the slides — you’ll find Dr. Bauer’s wisdom and examples come to life in each one!
🎧 Want More from Dr. Bauer?
While we can’t share the video recording, you can keep learning from Dr. Bauer on her podcast, ADHD Mom Docs. We especially recommend listening to Maddie’s Story, where she interviews one of the very case studies she shared with us—it’s a powerful, personal look into living with ADHD.
Are you going to the International ADHD Conference?
Dr Bauer is one of the many fabulous speakers!
The International Conference on ADHD brings together the best minds in current research and treatment options and professionals offering best practice guidelines for their fields. The conference will offer dynamic sessions and events featuring practical support and guidance for adults and families.
Early-Bird Registration is OPEN now!
CHADD members will receive a discount, so join CHADD today and designate ADHDKC as your local chapter. Register at CHADD.org/Membership. Be sure to name ADHDKC as your chapter to help support us!
Don’t forget! Community and Connect is this Sunday!
📅 Sunday, September 21st
🕡 1:00 PM CST
💻 Location: Online via Zoom
🎟️ Cost: Free
This is your chance to sit down with us and really dig into what ADHDKC has to offer. Lauren will be walking us through all the big questions parents and adults often ask: What do we offer? How do you find what you’re looking for on our website? What resources are available to you right now? ADHDKC has so many opportunities and supports — but we know it can sometimes feel overwhelming to sort through it all.
We’ll also have an open Q&A, so bring your questions, ideas, and suggestions. Whether you’re brand new to ADHDKC or have been with us for years, your voice matters.
And of course, there’s the best part of all — community connection. Community and Connect is more than just an information session. It’s about coming together, sharing resources, and supporting one another. We’ll hold space for the ups, the downs, and everything in between. Come for the information, stay for the camaraderie.
We can’t wait to see you Sunday!