How To Recognize ADHD Symptoms In Toddlers

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a developmental condition that can cause persistent inattention, impulsiveness, and hyperactivity. If you're a parent who has a child with ADHD, it isn't always going to be easy to keep things under control. Children with ADHD may require a bit more attention and guidance than most. This doesn't mean that children with ADHD can't work through their struggles and find great success in life. It just means that you may need to be a bit more creative as a parent.

If your child is currently a toddler and is displaying concerning behaviors related to inattention or hyperactivity, it's possible that you might be a bit worried. There are some key symptoms you can be on the lookout for that should help you determine whether you need to seek professional interventions.

Early ADHD symptoms in toddlers

What are the signs of ADHD in young children? There are several early signs of ADHD in children and toddlers, including:

• Emotional dysregulation: Emotional dysregulation is the most important warning sign of ADHD in younger children. Toddlers with ADHD tend to feel emotionally overwhelmed and what many would consider sensitive, and therefore may be more easily frustrated or have a more difficult time calming down compared to other children the same age. 

• Hyperactive and impulsive behaviors: Toddlers with ADHD may engage in hyperactive behaviors, such as climbing things that aren’t appropriate, constantly running around, and having trouble sitting still despite repeated attempts.

• Aggressive behaviors: Toddlers with ADHD may react aggressively when upset by engaging in actions like biting or hitting. 

• Difficulty sustaining attention: For toddlers with ADHD, this may look like having trouble listening and following instructions, or struggling to stay engaged with play tasks, even ones they seem to enjoy. Some toddlers may appear to be inattentive or “somewhere else” mentally, even when you're speaking directly to them.

If you suspect that your toddler may be experiencing ADHD symptoms, make an appointment with your child's pediatrician. Diagnosing ADHD early on is important, as early intervention can prepare your toddler for the transition to elementary school, where they will confront classroom expectations for appropriate behavior and may be more likely to struggle. Early intervention for toddlers with ADHD may also prevent more pervasive behavior problems, or potentially impede the development of comorbid mental health disorders like depression later in life.

Taking an ADHD test for toddlers

Your first step is to observe your toddler. The second might be to take an ADHD test for toddlers, or a screening—these are intended to be completed by the parent rather than the toddler themselves, of course. All you need to do is find a checklist and answer the questions as honestly as you can. If you aren't sure about a certain answer, take more time to observe your toddler until the answer becomes clear.

The questions below are good examples of what an ADHD test for toddlers might entail. Some tests will be more thorough than others. If you're answering many questions with yes, then it's possible that your child might benefit from a visit to the pediatrician.

• Does your child seem to have difficulties with paying attention?

• Does your child make mistakes that seem careless?

• Does your child appear to not be paying attention, even when spoken to directly?

• Does your child frequently move on to another activity before completing what they were doing?

• Does your child lose things often?

• Does your child seem unable to learn how to stay organized?

• Does your child avoid activities that require concentration?

• Is your child easily distracted?

• Is your child constantly fidgeting?

• Does your child have problems staying in their seat?

• Does your child talk excessively?

Diagnosing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in very young children

Most of these questions can be applied to children of all ages. ADHD symptoms in children are going to be very similar regardless of how old they are.

Younger toddlers, specifically those who are between the ages of two and three, will be trickier to diagnose. When kids are too young, it can be tough to tell what is really occurring—it could be a developmental disorder rather than ADHD. 

Only a health professional should give an ADHD diagnosis. A health professional or a pediatrician will be able to diagnose children, including those at a young age, who are suspected to be experiencing symptoms of ADHD. 

Requesting a professional opinion for a proper ADHD diagnosis

You need a professional opinion to get a proper diagnosis. Even if that ADHD test for toddlers yielded many yeses, that does not equal a real diagnosis from a professional. It's a good idea to get a pediatrician or a child psychiatrist to evaluate your toddler. They should be able to make observations to determine if your child has ADHD or not.

ADHD treatment for toddlers

According to the American Academy of Family Physicians’ Clinical Practice Guideline for ADHD in children, the first step in treating toddlers diagnosed with ADHD is behavior therapy. Behavior therapy is an effective treatment for children with ADHD and has been proven to help improve self-control and behavior in children with ADHD. Parents of children younger than 12 years old will likely be referred to parent training in behavior therapy. When parents become trained in behavior therapy, they are more equipped to help reinforce positive behaviors in their child and help them succeed at home and at school. 

Your child’s doctor may also recommend that you try a special diet to counteract ADHD symptoms. Generally, this will be a diet high in protein and low in sugar and other junk foods.

Medication for the treatment of ADHD in children

Generally, medications are not recommended for children below the age of six. In rare cases, though, a toddler may not see improvement in their ADHD symptoms with behavior therapy and lifestyle changes alone, and your child’s doctor may suggest medication treatment in addition to behavior therapy. 

ADHD medication treatment for toddlers typically involves a very low dose prescription stimulant medication. Stimulants can help improve ADHD symptoms by increasing levels of certain neurotransmitters (chemical messengers that help brain cells communicate with each other). Your doctor will decide on a treatment plan depending on your child’s age and the severity of their symptoms. 

It's important to note that therapy is preferable to medication for toddlers. Most doctors refer parents to therapy when their children exhibit ADHD symptoms at the age of five and below. Kids aged six and up might wind up seeing many benefits from medication, but they'll also be helped by therapy.

After a professional has diagnosed your child with ADHD, you can ask your doctor for a referral to a therapist. They may be able to point you in the direction of someone in your area who specializes in helping children and ADHD. From there, your child can learn to manage their behavior and increase their ability to focus over time.

Online therapy is also available

You may also want to consider the availability of online therapy. Not everyone lives close to a good child therapist. This makes being able to reach out to a therapist online that much more important, and online therapy allows you to reach out to a professional in the most convenient way possible.

These practitioners should be fully licensed, and therefore ready to help your child with what they are experiencing. They should also have the experience and the patience to help your toddler with their behaviors. In addition, they can help you work on any concerns that you're experiencing surrounding your child's diagnosis or other mental health concerns. 

You may also find that online platforms are more affordable. Online therapy is typically going to be more cost-effective than traditional therapy methods, and frequently offers more scheduling flexibility than traditional therapy offices. This makes it a perfect fit for busy professionals who want therapy for themselves or their kids and struggle to make it to recurring in-person obligations.