Her work helped reveal that ADHD often looks different in girls and women, changing how the condition is recognized and treated worldwide.

Patricia O. Quinn, MD, is a developmental pediatrician whose work helped bring national attention to the experiences of girls and women with ADHD. Based in Washington, DC, Dr. Quinn specializes in child development, psychopharmacology, and the treatment of ADHD in children and adults. She has spent more than three decades working with individuals with ADHD and learning differences. In recognition of her pioneering contributions to the field, she was inducted into the CHADD Hall of Fame in 2000.

Dr. Quinn is widely recognized for helping shift attention toward the ways ADHD presents differently in girls and women. In 1997, she co-founded the National Center for Girls and Women with ADHD with psychologist Kathleen Nadeau, PhD. Through clinical work, research, and public education, the center helped highlight how ADHD often goes unrecognized in females because symptoms may appear without the hyperactivity traditionally associated with the condition. Her work helped clinicians, educators, and families better understand the unique challenges faced by girls and women with ADHD and encouraged more accurate diagnosis and support.

In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Quinn has been a prolific author and educator. She has written more than twenty books on ADHD for children, adults, families, and professionals, including the influential Understanding Girls with ADHD and 100 Questions and Answers About ADHD in Women and Girls. A frequent national and international speaker, she has also appeared on major media programs and produced educational materials to raise awareness about ADHD across the lifespan. Through decades of advocacy, writing, and clinical practice, Dr. Quinn has played a central role in expanding recognition of ADHD in girls and women and improving care for generations of patients and families.