--- title: Are learning and thinking differences more common in boys than in girls? description: Why does it seem like boys learn and think differently more often than girls? An expert explains. slug: do-boys-have-learning-and-thinking-differences-more-often-than-girls author: Bob Cunningham, EdM published: '2019-08-05T15:44:23.997Z' thumbnail: https://cdn-images.understood.org/p0qf7j048i0q/4q09vEOQ2d8O8l8GddSJ6l/1b79228dfce77de2cd1ace047bfe21c9/G186366107.jpg source_url: https://www.understood.org/en/articles/do-boys-have-learning-and-thinking-differences-more-often-than-girls lang: en --- # Are learning and thinking differences more common in boys than in girls? **Q. It seems like boys have learning and thinking differences more often than girls do. Why is that?** **A.** It seems that way because boys are diagnosed with them more often than girls. And not by just a little bit. Around two-thirds of kids with a specific learning disability (as defined by special education law) are boys. And boys are twice as likely to be [diagnosed with ADHD](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/video-how-is-adhd-diagnosed). The fact that boys are identified or diagnosed more often than girls is one thing. It doesn’t mean boys actually *have* learning and thinking differences more often than girls do. So why are boys diagnosed more often? One reason might be differences in how boys and girls behave. Boys tend to draw more negative attention in school. One report showed that boys make up around 85 percent of all recorded discipline issues. Another showed that 22 percent of boys had been formally disciplined, versus 8 percent of girls. We also know that boys with ADHD are usually more [hyperactive](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/understanding-hyperactivity), [impulsive](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/understanding-impulsivity), and aggressive than [girls with ADHD](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/adhd-in-girls). That behavior makes them stand out. In other words, boys with ADHD are more noticeable than girls with ADHD. And that may be why they get diagnosed more often than girls. Learning and thinking differences are probably just as common in girls as in boys. But if girls fly under the radar, it means that many aren’t getting the support they need. That’s why it’s so important to [keep an eye on your child’s behaviors](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/the-benefits-of-observing-your-child-and-taking-notes) and take notes. If you have concerns, you can [request a free school evaluation](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/requesting-an-evaluation) at any time. --- ## Explore related topics and articles - [Do boys and girls show the same signs of ADHD?](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/do-boys-and-girls-show-same-adhd-symptoms) - Q. Do signs of ADHD look different in boys and girls? Or do they have the same ADHD symptoms? A. Girls and boys do tend to show different signs of ADHD. It varies from child to child, of course. But boys with ADHDare more likely to be hyperactive and struggle with self-control. Theyre more likely to - [ADHD in boys](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/adhd-in-boys) - - Boys are more likely to be hyperactive than girls. - Theyre also more likely than girls to be diagnosed with ADHD. - Boys with ADHD can face unique social challenges. ADHD is just about being hyper. Its something only boys have. These are two of the many myths about ADHD. Theres some kernel - [ADHD in girls](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/adhd-in-girls) - - Girls often experience ADHD in different ways than boys. - Girls are less likely to be hyperactive, so their symptoms might fly under the radar. - ADHD is equally common in girls and boys, but girls are diagnosed less often. As common as ADHD is, there are still a lot of misconceptions about --- ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.understood.org/en/articles/do-boys-have-learning-and-thinking-differences-more-often-than-girls#webpage","url":"https://www.understood.org/en/articles/do-boys-have-learning-and-thinking-differences-more-often-than-girls","description":"Why does it seem like boys learn and think differently more often than girls? 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