Does your child have注意缺陷多动障碍, also known as ADHD? It’s not always easy to tell since toddlers tend to have difficulty paying attention in general.
Children in their toddler years typically are not diagnosed with ADHD, but many of their behaviors can lead some parents to wonder whether or not their child has it, or is at risk for developing it.
But ADHD is more than just typical toddler behavior. According to the
Read on for a checklist of symptoms to watch out for.
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These behaviors also occur in children without ADHD. Your child won’t be diagnosed with the condition unless symptoms continue for more than 6 months and affect their ability to participate in age-appropriate activities.
Great care needs to be taken in diagnosing a child under 5 with ADHD, particularly if medication is being considered. A diagnosis at this young age is best made by achild psychiatristor a pediatrician specializing inbehaviorand development.
Many child psychiatrists will not make a diagnosis until the child has been in school. This is because a key criterion for ADHD is that the symptoms are present in two or more settings. For example, the child shows symptoms at home and at school, or with a parent and with friends or relatives.
There are a number of behaviors that can indicate your child has problems with attention, a key sign of ADHD. In school-age children these include:
- inability to focus on one activity
- trouble completing tasks before getting bored
- difficulty listening as a result of distraction
- problems following instructions and processing information
Note, however, that these behaviors can be normal in a toddler.
In the past, ADHD was called attention deficit disorder (ADD).
As reported by theMayo Clinic现在医学界喜欢打电话到公司ndition ADHD because the disorder often includes a component of hyperactivity and impulsivity. This is particularly true when diagnosed in preschool-aged children.
Signs of hyperactivity that may lead you to think that your toddler has ADHD include:
- being overlyfidgetyand squirmy
- having an inability to sit still for calm activities like eating and having books read to them
- talking and making noise excessively
- running from toy to toy, or constantly being in motion
Another telltale symptom of ADHD is impulsivity. Signs that your child has overly impulsive behaviors include:
- displaying extreme impatience with others
- refusing to wait their turn when playing with other children
- interrupting when others are talking
- blurting out comments at inappropriate times
- having difficulty controlling their emotions
- being prone to outbursts
- intruding when others are playing, rather than asking first to join in
Again, these behaviors can be normal in toddlers. They would only be concerning if they’re extreme when compared to those of similarly aged children.
TheKennedy Krieger Institute (KKI)has identified several other warning signs of potential ADHD in toddlers between 3 and 4 years old. The KKI notes that children in this age group may become injured from running too fast or not following instructions.
More signs of ADHD may include:
- aggressive behavior when playing
- lack of caution with strangers
- overly bold behavior
- endangering oneself or others due to fearlessness
- inability to hop on one foot by age 4
It is possible to misdiagnose a child with ADHD because most toddlers will exhibit the following ADHD symptoms at various times:
- lack of focus
- excessive energy
- impulsivity
It’s sometimes easy for parents and even teachers to mistake ADHD for other problems. Toddlers who are sitting quietly and behaving in preschool may actually not be paying attention. Children who are hyperactive might just have disciplinary problems.
If you’re feeling dubious about your child’s behavior, don’t guess. See your doctor.
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If you’re worried that your toddler may be showing signs of ADHD, share your concerns with your pediatrician about how to manage it.
While there is no cure for ADHD, medication and lifestyle changes can help relieve your child’s symptoms and give them a good chance for future success.