Because social skills do not always come naturally and that is okay.

Friendships are such an important part of growing up. They help kids learn about teamwork, empathy, and who they are as individuals. Through friends, children practice problem-solving, learn to share, and experience the joy of belonging. But for many girls with ADHD, making and keeping friends can be tricky. Some may come across as too energetic or impulsive, while others might seem shy, distracted, or unsure how to join in.

The good news? With a little practice, patience, and support, you can help your daughter build the skills she needs to connect and thrive socially.

Why It’s Tough for Some Girls with ADHD to Make Friends

Girls with ADHD often struggle for different reasons and those challenges can look very different from what we expect.

Impulsive or energetic girls may interrupt, talk over others, or have trouble taking turns.
Inattentive girls may daydream or miss social cues, like when it’s their turn to speak or how to join a group.
Emotional intensity can make small disagreements feel big, leading to misunderstandings.

Many girl friendships also involve reading subtle cues and navigating shifting social groups. These unspoken dynamics can be confusing for girls with ADHD, leaving them feeling excluded or unsure.

But remember, friendship is a skill, and like any skill, it improves with guidance, feedback, and practice.

Helping Younger Girls Build Social Skills

For younger girls, social learning often happens through play and daily routines. You can set the stage for success with gentle coaching, clear expectations, and lots of encouragement.

Do a Little Coaching at Home

Start with small lessons during family time. Practice taking turns, sharing, and solving little disagreements calmly. Role-play short conversations, such as how to ask someone to play or what to say if there’s a disagreement. Keep it light and fun, make it a game, use puppets, or switch roles so she can see different perspectives.

Your child also learns a lot by watching you. Model kindness, active listening, and patience when you talk to others. When she sees you handle social moments with care, like apologizing after a misunderstanding or asking questions to show interest, she’ll start to pick up those cues naturally.

Practice During Playdates

Playdates are a great way to help your daughter practice her social skills in a comfortable setting. Before the playdate, talk about what it means to be a good host: sharing toys, taking turns choosing games, and checking in to see if everyone’s having fun.

Afterward, chat about how it went. Celebrate what went well (“You did such a great job letting your friend pick the next game!”) and gently talk about what she might try differently next time. Try to keep the tone positive; focusing on progress builds motivation and self-confidence.

Try Playdates with Younger Kids

If playing with peers feels overwhelming, spending time with slightly younger children can be a confidence booster. Younger kids are often more forgiving, which gives your daughter a chance to practice leading and interacting in a lower-pressure environment. Every positive friendship experience helps her grow and see herself as capable of being a good friend.

Supporting Older Girls

As girls get older, friendships often form around shared interests. Encourage your daughter to join structured activities she enjoys: sports, theater, art club, robotics, dance, band, or any group that excites her. Being part of a team or club gives her built-in opportunities to connect with others while doing something she loves.

If she struggles to click with others, help her focus on one or two friendly peers she might like to know better. You can plan short, low-stress hangouts like a movie night, baking session, or trip to the park. Keeping things structured helps make social time feel more comfortable and predictable.

If she’s already involved in activities but still feels left out, help her find smaller, more manageable ways to connect. Maybe she can volunteer alongside a classmate, invite someone to study together, or send a friendly message after a club meeting.

✨ Tip: Small, repeated interactions often lead to genuine friendships over time.

It can also help to talk openly about friendship dynamics. Older girls sometimes face hurt feelings or shifting social groups, and these moments can feel extra intense when ADHD affects emotion regulation. Listening, validating her feelings, and helping her problem-solve, without stepping in too quickly, can build her resilience and social awareness.

Team Up with the Teacher

Teachers observe social interactions all day long and can be a great support system.

Reach out to them for insight into how your daughter gets along with others and whether there are classmates she connects well with. Ask them:

“Who does she seem to connect with best?”
“Are there group activities where she feels included?”

Sometimes, a teacher can help pair her with potential friends for group projects, encourage inclusion at lunch, or create structured recess activities.

If your daughter has a 504 plan or IEP, you can also request goals or supports related to social skill development, such as having check-ins with a counselor or practicing conversation strategies. These small steps at school can make a big difference in her day-to-day confidence.

Keeping Up the Practice

Even when things start improving, keep giving her chances to socialize.

Encourage her to:

Stay involved in group activities.
Keep up one-on-one hangouts.
Explore new interests that connect her with supportive peers.

Remind her that everyone feels awkward sometimes, even adults! Every experience, even the tough ones, helps her grow and understand herself better.

Takeaway

Helping your daughter build and maintain friendships takes patience, creativity, and consistency but it’s absolutely possible. Every conversation, playdate, and group activity helps her practice connecting, listening, and showing empathy.

At Tampa Pediatric Psychology, we understand how ADHD affects not only learning and attention but also confidence and social growth. Our team works with families to strengthen emotional development and social skills so children can thrive both in and out of the classroom.

With gentle guidance at home and supportive care when needed, your daughter can learn to build meaningful friendships that help her feel confident, connected, and understood.

Want to learn more about our tailored approach to ADHD?
Explore our ADHD page to see how we help kids build skills, strengthen relationships, and feel confident every day.