I often find parents bringing their 2-3 year old children to be examined because they are concerned that he/she may have ADHD. The diagnosis of ADHD is not typically made until after the age of 3 and after the signs and symptoms have been present for at least 6 months. The average age of onset is 7 years. Boys are four times more likely to develop ADHD than girls but no one knows why. No clear cause of ADHD has been determined, however, recent studies have been suggesting a genetic role.
ADHD is further broken down into 2 types: inattentive and hyperactive. Kids with inattention are very easily distracted and have trouble staying on task.They are forgetful and often lose things. They become easily bored and often fail to focus, especially on tasks they find uninteresting. Some people interpret this as they are not listening. Because they tend not to be organized, they often fail to turn in homework assignments and may have difficulty learning new things. Obviously, they run into academic problems because of these traits.
On the other hand, kids who have the hyperactive type tend to be very talkative and fidgety. They seem to be constantly in motion and have a tendency to touch everything. Doing quiet tasks or activities is hard for them. Some kids with ADHD will also show impulsivity. They can be inpatient and blurt out things and interrupt others’ talk. A child may exhibit one type of ADHD or a combination.
So, why do parents of toddlers think their kids may have ADHD? This is a stage where children tend to be very active and curious. They explore many things trying to learn the world around them. They have not yet developed the ability to wait their turn or listen to directions.
What is normal toddler behavior?
-the child will start showing more outgoing behavior, usually sometime in their 2’s but not always.
-frequent mood changes and temper tantrums are normal. It may be scary to see your child banging their head or having breath holding spells, but it is common and they will grow out of it.
-they mimic many things around them. Often, they will say no just because they hear it so often.
-they are pushing the limits to see their boundaries and how far they can go. It is very important to set boundaries early.
-they get frustrated easily. They may start hitting or throwing things in frustration.
-they become overly possessive of their belongings. They are learning what belongs to them. They don’t tend to share.
-Curiosity develops in this stage and they are always trying to learn new things. They have not learned of danger yet and may put themselves in dangerous situations.
-they tend to be very energetic and active.
While ADHD is not diagnosed in this age group, there may be other behavioral issues to be concerned about. Most toddlers can appear to have ADHD and that is the norm in this age group. But, when a concern is there, the child should be seen by the doctor and further evaluation done.
