10 Early Signs Of ADHD In Toddlers Experts Want Parents To Know
When ADHD is diagnosed in childhood, it typically happens between the ages of six and 12 years old – but that doesn’t mean the signs don’t show up a lot sooner.
In a video posted on TikTok, counsellor Joshua Terhune shared some signs of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) that can appear in toddlers (typically used to describe kids aged between one and three years old).
It’s worth noting that children aren’t usually formally diagnosed with ADHD until after they’ve turned six in the UK – yet the Kennedy Krieger Institute, which supports children with neurological or developmental needs, suggests “warning signs often appear even before the demands of school begin”.
Key symptoms of ADHD include: difficulty staying focused and paying attention, difficulty controlling behaviour, and hyperactivity, however there are other signs that can repeatedly show up in younger children.
Signs of ADHD in toddlers
In his video, Terhune said temper tantrums that occur three or more times a week, and last longer than 15 minutes (and go on for more than six months), could be a sign of ADHD; as well as being “frequently aggressive with playmates even though they’ve demonstrated good language skills”.
Other possible signs include: difficulty following one or two-step instructions without getting distracted; difficulty with circle time or other group activities; and becoming easily frustrated or giving up on something easily.
Struggles with transitioning between activities could also be a sign of ADHD, noted the counsellor, as could a parent avoiding family-friendly areas over concerns about their child’s behaviour.
Separately, Dr Mark Mahone, director of the Department of Neuropsychology at the Kennedy Krieger Institute, noted children with ADHD might dislike or avoid activities that require paying attention for more than one or two minutes; and they might talk a lot more, and make more noise, than other children of the same age.
Both experts noted children might also experience injuries because of moving too fast or running and jumping on something, despite being told not to do so.
In his video, Terhune explained that “it’s also important to note that these symptoms need to have persisted for longer than six months”.
This is because – as per the NHS – “many children are easily distracted, impulsive and have high energy levels, particularly if they’re under the age of five”.
What to do if your child shows signs of ADHD
If you suspect your child has ADHD and it’s impacting their day-to-day life, speak to your GP, who can help rule out other conditions, such as autism and anxiety.
There isn’t a specific test to diagnose ADHD – it is typically made by a paediatrician, psychiatrist or clinical psychologist via an assessment, for which waiting times can vary.
Great Ormond Street Hospital’s states that an ADHD diagnosis “can be considered but will not usually be confirmed until a child is around six years old and starts school”.
The NHS recommends the following lifestyle changes to help a child manage their ADHD symptoms:
Make time for physical activities they enjoy.
Encourage them to get regular sleep.
Help them to have a healthy, balanced diet and regular mealtimes. (Schedule regular meals or snacks no more than three hours apart.)
If some foods and drinks seem to affect their symptoms, keep a food and drink diary to see what these are.