With the recent rise in diagnoses of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder — especially in adults, who missed out on getting diagnosed and treated as children — a lot of parents might be wondering what signs to look for in their own kids so they don't miss out on getting help as early as possible. But how early can a child be diagnosed with ADHD? According to Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, or CHADD, children as young as 4 years old can be diagnosed with the disorder, and toddlers can absolutely show signs of it, as long as their caregivers know what to look for.
ADHD can be a challenge to live with, even if the child is a toddler, but if you know the signs, the sooner you can talk to your pediatrician about what it might mean the better.
They Are Overly Reactive
According to what Caroline Buzanko wrote for Attitudes, toddlers with ADHD will have big reactions to things on all ends of the spectrum. If they're excited about something, they'll be overly excited, and if they're angry or sad, they'll be angrier or sadder than the situation calls for. Of course, kids this age are still learning to process their big emotions, but if this is a symptom of ADHD, you may notice a pattern of these behaviors.
They're Easily Overwhelmed
Buzanko also noted that toddlers with ADHD will get overwhelmed easily, especially when someone tries to correct their behavior. That can often lead to anger or a tantrum, and being around too many kids at the same time might be overwhelming for them as well.
They Struggle To Pay Attention
Toddlers with ADHD won't just have a hard time paying attention to an activity for longer than a couple of minutes — they'll actually actively avoid any activities that they know they'll need to pay attention to for a long time, according to Dr. Mark Mahone at the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore.
They Are Aggressive When Playing
Mahone also said that if your child has ever been reprimanded at day care or on the playground for playing too aggressively with another kid, even children who are their friends, it might be a sign of ADHD, especially if it ends up being a common occurrence.
They Have Frequent Tantrums
Tantrums are just part of toddlerhood, but they are a little different if it's a symptom of ADHD. As Dr. Thomas E. Brown wrote for Understood, these are big, frequent tantrums that might even turn physically aggressive, and you might feel that your toddler has a short trigger.
They're Impulsive
Brown also noted that toddlers with ADHD may be impulsive to the point of getting hurt.
"They often do impulsive things that run the risk of serious injury. They might run out into traffic, climb in places where they’re likely to get hurt, or turn on and play with a stove," he wrote.
They Put Themselves or Others in Danger
According to Counseling.org, another sign that your toddler might have ADHD is if they tend to put themselves or others in danger, because of their impulsiveness. You might see them trying to climb furniture or jump down a flight of stairs on a regular basis or play recklessly with others.
They Struggle To Make Friends
If your toddler seems to have a hard time making friends at preschool or on play dates, it might be a sign that they have ADHD. You might not catch on until another parent doesn't schedule a second play date after the first one when they discover that their child doesn't want to play with yours again (and that can definitely hurt).
They Have Difficulty Sharing
Though it's definitely not unusual for many toddlers to struggle when the concept of sharing is first introduced (especially when it comes to their favorite toys), it may be a sign of ADHD when they never get the hang of it, or if they never seem to want to take turns while playing with their parents, siblings, or other kids.
They Have a Hard Time Sitting Still
This is another potential symptom that could apply to a lot of toddlers, but if this is something you notice as a very common problem, it might be a sign of ADHD. Your toddler might have a hard time sitting still for longer than a minute or two, even to eat a meal, and you may find that your child is constantly fidgeting.
They Love to Run & Climb
Have a toddler who loves to run and climb and be active but it seems like their activity might be a little excessive or they're more active than their peers? That might be a sign that they have ADHD, especially if your child is running so much it leads to injuries.
They Can't Hop on One Foot
Interestingly enough, one of the signs of ADHD is being unable to hop on one foot by the age of 4, according to experts. If your child is unable to master this skill any earlier, it might not be cause for concern, but if they're still unable to do it after they've turned 4, it could be worth discussing with their pediatrician.
They've Been Referred to Special Education
According to PsychCentral, having caregivers at day care or preschool identifying that your toddler may need special education services at an early age is sometimes associated with a diagnosis of ADHD coming later on. If that's happened, it can't hurt to keep an eye out for other signs.
They Have Trouble Settling Down
Much like toddlers who struggle to sit still and who are always fidgeting, another sign of ADHD is toddlers who struggle to settle down or who struggle to take a nap. Of course, many toddlers have a hard time wanting to go down for a nap when there are way more fun things to do, but if it's been a pattern, it might mean something more.
They're Easily Distracted
If you feel like your toddler has a hard time paying attention to following simple directions or ends up easily distracted, whether it's directions from you or those that go with the fun activities they participate in, it could be a sign of ADHD.
*Disclaimer: The advice on CafeMom.com is not a substitute for consultation with a medical professional or treatment for a specific condition. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem without consulting a qualified professional. Please contact your health-care provider with questions and concerns.
