The SENDcast The Experiences of Girls in School with Diagnosed/Undiagnosed ADHD with Louise Belshaw
With ADHD awareness month upon us, we wanted to discuss the important topic of 'the experiences of girls in school with diagnosed/undiagnosed ADHD'. In this episode, Louise Belshaw, who has ADHD and is a mother to two adult children with the condition, shares her extensive experience as a secondary teacher and her specialisation in ADHD in females. She highlights that:
"I've seen too many girls not get the diagnosis, or not go forward with the diagnosis, because they're not being supported by school and the teachers don't know what ADHD in girls looks like".
Together, Dale and Louise explore:
- The unique presentation of ADHD in girls vs boys
- Challenges of identity, control, and friendship among neurodiverse females
- Societal expectations on girls' behaviour and self-perception
- The importance of understanding masking and people-pleasing tendencies
- Strategies for educators and parents to support girls with ADHD
Louise emphasises the need for greater awareness and tailored support for girls, especially during secondary school. This episode sheds light on the complexities of ADHD in females and offers valuable insights.
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About Louise Belshaw
I'm Louise Belshaw BA Hons, PGCE, MSc. CALC. I'm a certified ADHD life coach with a Masters degree in Psychology.
My expertise is grounded in both professional training and lived experience. I'm also a mum to two children with ADHD, so I understand first hand the everyday challenges that ADHD can bring at home, at school, and during the often tricky transitions into adulthood.
I know how much of a difference it makes to feel heard and understood. I've been fortunate to receive support from people who truly understood me and my children, but I've also experienced the distress of seeing my child's needs overlooked by professionals. This is why I'm so passionate about making sure others don't feel as alone or unsupported.
Before becoming a coach, I spent over 25 years as a secondary school teacher and department head. During that time, I saw first-hand what helped young people with ADHD to thrive in the classroom - and what didn't. I also worked closely with parents and teachers who often felt unsure how best to support these students, despite their care and good intentions. Again and again, I saw how much difference the right understanding, strategies, and guidance could make.
This experience led me to create The ADHD Teacher, an online service offering coaching, mentoring, and consultancy to empower individuals with ADHD and the people who support them.
My mission is to help you gain the tools, knowledge, and confidence to thrive. Whether you are a young person with ADHD, a parent seeking support, or an educator looking for expert guidance, I am here to help you turn challenges into real opportunities for growth.
Contact Louise
https://www.facebook.com/the.adhd.teacher.understanding.experience.support/
https://www.instagram.com/the_adhd_teacher
www.linkedin.com/in/theadhdteacherwww.linkedin.com/in/theadhdteacher
Useful Links
Further ADHD Resources available to you
October is ADHD awareness month and the SENDcast are proud to join in solidarity to celebrate and provide resources to improve awareness! Check out other FREE podcasts and our CPD training sessions... Supporting ADHD awareness month 2025
- B Squared Website – www.bsquared.co.uk
- Meeting with Dale to find out about B Squared - https://calendly.com/b-squared-team/overview-of-b-squared-sendcast
- Email Dale – dale@bsquared.co.uk
- Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe
We have been involved with Special Educational Needs for over 25 years, helping show the small steps of progress pupils with SEND make. B Squared has worked with thousands of schools, we understand the challenges professionals working in SEND face. We wanted a way to support these hardworking professionals - which is why we launched The SENDcast! Click the button below to find out more about how B Squared can help improve assessment for pupils with SEND in your school.