Symptoms of ADD ADHD in a toddler?

Question

I am concerned tha my bfs daughter may have add/adhd. She will be 4 in 2 wks. I know toddlers are always on the move, but what is really normal and what is cause for concern? She does not like to share, she constantly squirms, I tried this weekend to teach her to count and do her numbers and keeping her attention for any longer than 3-4 minutes at a time was a chore (she would rather get up and look for the cap to the marker). Playing quietly RARELY happens. Not really sure I was just asking.....

Answer 1

Well, ADD is a disorder when the cant focus on one thing. With whole counting, she wasnt focused, but most toddlers arent at that age

I recomend going to see a doctor

They can give you medication if she has it, but they may have to do some tests before they can be for sure.

Good Luck

Answer 2

it may be hard to tell in a 4 yr old. i have symptoms of both ADD and ADHD and it wasnt discovered until  I was in the 3rd grade. I am 21 now and I'm learning how to control it on my own without meds.

take her to a psychiatrist, they'll be able to determine this for you!

hope this helps!

Answer 3

only person to advise you on this is a doctor or health official who deals with children never mind what advice people give you here because most of us arent trained  doctors ect and all children are different take the child to a doctor good luck

Answer 4

Some children are just that way.  My middle daughter will sit for hours while I teach her and plays quietly.  My son does not have this type of attention span, and he is 7.  However, he has been tested, and he does not have ADD or ADHD.  If she has never been in a classroom setting then when she is she will learn she has to sit quietly and pay attention.  Basically, she just isn't interested in what you are teaching her.  She would rather do something else.  Try sitting down and doing something she really enjoys and see how long her attention span is then.  If she pays attention, then try to find creative and fun ways to help her learn.

Answer 5

most of the problems experienced by ADD or ADHD kids can be managed if the symptoms are picked up early enough, regardless of whether a formal diagnosis has been issued or not.

there are some simple things you can do to improve concentration even in very young kids:

1) most important: avoid sugary drinks, sweets and biscuits before any tasks requiring concentration are to be performed.  this includes particularly cola drinks and anything else with caffeine in, e.g. tea, coffee, hot chocolate.  for extremely active or hyperactive kids, this can even include limiting fruit juices.  in particular, be aware that anything calling itself a "juice drink" rather than "juice" will almost certainly contain either sugar or sweeteners, both of which can make children hyperactive.  concentrate or squash drinks should be avoided for the same reason.

2) concentrating takes practice.  most of us don't remember learning to do it, but we all had to at some point.  persist with tasks - young children don't often take to formal learning, and it can take a lot of patience to succede with them

3) putting her in preschool will help a lot - she will learn to sit still because the other children are.  as well as this, if she is not concentrating because she finds the tasks you are setting too easy, she will be challenged and stimulated in ways that stretch her and induce her to apply herself.

she will also be under the supervision of staff who are experienced in dealing with children in her age group and at her developmental level, who will be able to give a more accurate assessment of her attention levels and advise you and her other parents as to any action you need take.  as an added bonus, you will have a few hours a day relief from the strain of dealing with a highly active child.

Answer 6

That sounds like a typical 4 year old but you can't always tell.  They usually test for those things in 3rd grade from what my pediatrician tells me.  I am sure that in extreme cases they do test sooner than that though.  If she is concerned, she should mention it to her pediatrician.  I wanted to have my daughter tested at 5 but the doctor said they couldn't be positive at that age.  Good luck.