Girls with ADHD are more likely to enter puberty early and may experience the transition more intensely than their peers. Research shows girls with ADHD have about twice the risk for early puberty, while autistic girls are up to four times more likely to experience early puberty compared to other children, according to work examined by researchers.
Early puberty in neurodivergent girls may stem from higher rates of obesity and social stress, which can accelerate pubertal onset. Neurodivergent girls may also experience differences in dopamine activity, stress response, and immune and neuroendocrine systems, all of which may affect sexual development.
Early puberty places these girls at heightened risk for anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and other challenges. When physical development outpaces cognitive, emotional, and social development, girls who mature early may feel distressed. Additionally, when estrogen and progesterone rise in girls with ADHD, their ADHD symptoms fluctuate. Rising hormone levels affect the physiological and neural systems involved in emotional processing and regulation.
Parental guidance, emotional regulation skills, and professional support can buffer these risks by bolstering self-confidence in girls as they navigate the pubertal transition.