Parenting is a journey of fun and excitement, as it is filled with confusion and worries. One such feeling that parents, especially a new parent may have, is the worry if your child is showing signs of ADHD.
Diagnosing ADHD in toddlers might not be that easy. However, with knowledge and careful observation, you can arrest the situation sooner than later and take appropriate steps for the well-being of your little one.
What Is ADHD In Toddlers?
ADHD was earlier known as ADD or Attention Deficit Disorder. However, with the progress of time and with more medical progress, this condition began to be known as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
- ADHD might occur in kids as young as 2 to 3 years old.
- Often the signs and symptoms are waived off, as you may feel that your child is more notorious compared to others.
- However, it’s not that your child wants to be a problem child; it might just be that he or she is suffering from ADD or ADHD.
- Usually ADHD comes to foregroun
[ Read: Autism In Toddlers ]
Common Signs And Symptoms Of ADHD In Toddlers:
Some of the common symptoms of ADHD are as follows.
1. Your child finds it difficult to focus on a single activity at hand and has varying levels of concentration.
2. Your child seems to be throwing tantrums too often.
3. Your child does not complete any activity and keeps on moving from one activity to another. The child may also suffer from sudden emotional outbursts in an abrupt manner.
4. Your child is not able to comprehend directions or does not listen to any orders as he or she always seems to be distracted.
5. Your child seldom sits in one position and is never calm. Even during activities like story time, eating, television watching, etc. the child is continuously moving or does not pay attention.
6. Your child always prefers to be in motion and comes across as hyperactive. For instance, he never stays put with one toy and keeps on switching from one toy to another or keeps on running around.
7. Your child hardly keeps quiet or is never silent, shouts at the top of his or her voice and loves making noise all the time. In most cases, a child suffering from ADD or ADHD will blurt out inappropriate comments or will say the wrong things at the wrong times. Thus, people tend to believe that the child is misbehaving or is not well mannered.
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8. Your child has a tendency to interrupt others while they are doing something or if they are talking. A child suffering from ADHD is extremely impatient with his peers and other kids and will also disrupt their games or playtime.
9. Your child finds it difficult to participate in a group activity as he or she does not have the patience to wait for the turn.
10. It becomes difficult for your child to pay attention in class. A child suffering from ADD or ADHD might suddenly get up in the middle of a class and might start moving around. Your child will also find it extremely difficult to listen to what the teacher is teaching.
11. If your child is unable to hop on one foot by the age of 4 then he or she might be suffering from ADD or ADHD.
12. If your child is suffering from ADD or ADHD, he or she may tend to get angry very often and will not like or appreciate anyone giving any advice, especially their peers or friends. They can also get physical and might assault their friends physically as an emotional outburst or as a side effect of their anger. Children with ADD or ADHD are excessively daring and are not scared of strangers as well. This might lead to them getting tangled amidst unwanted situations or dangers.
[ Read: Stomach Pain In Toddlers ]
Dealing with ADD or ADHD can be much easier with timely intervention and medical help from a pediatrician. Also, making some changes to your lifestyle in the form of adequate supply of nutrition, behavior therapy, exercise, education and enough moral support for your child at home and school will help your child deal with ADD or ADHD.
In addition to all this, always remember that your love and unconditional support is what your child needs the most, in all situations. So be there for your child at all times and very soon things will work out great!
We would like to hear your thoughts on how to handle toddlers with ADHD, please do share with us in the comment section below:
Reference : 1
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