ADHD in Toddlers and Preschoolers

Guest
The diagnosis of ADD/ADHD normally comes after age 6, or after formal schooling has begun. This occurs for a number of reasons:

The diagnostic criteria for ADD/ADHD indicate that behaviors/symptoms must be present in at least two environments.

Young children are often excitable and can become agitated when routines are disrupted. Overly active children do not necessarily have ADD/ADHD.

The controversy surrounding ADD/ADHD can contribute to parents not seeking treatment or diagnosis as well as the reluctance of doctors to diagnose at such a young age.

Children reach milestones at different ages making it difficult to measure development delays.

The €œterrible twos can greatly resemble ADHD.

Some children, however, have been diagnosed with ADD/ADHD as early as 2 years of age.

Many parents of children diagnosed later have indicated that they knew something was different since infancy. Many parents, especially those with other children without ADD/ADHD have noticed differences in behavior and have documented ADD symptoms long before a child enters school.
 

Guest
Even with the "terrible twos" there is a range of normal or typical behavior. It can be tricky but some kids clearly are out of that range.
 

EastCoastChris

New Member
I know I asked close to 18mo "isn't this unusual"? about difficult child's behavior. I asked it almost every well baby visit we had.

I got "he's a boy", he's just smart or he's your first. None of which addressed some pretty definite "flag" type symptoms as well as his inability to somehow fit into any sort of range of typical behavior or attention.
I should have pursued it or had more of a specialist give me an opinion. I should have known better but I don't think I really wanted to know at the time.
 

mawmastewart

It never ends...
As most of you know I am raising my grandson. He is also showing signs of a behavior problem and is only 11 months old. I keep thinking I am nuts he is way to young, but he throws temper tantrums, bites and headbutts. I am wondering what I can do at such a young age? All I keep thinking is here I go again. Geesh.
 
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