Some experts believe children as young as 2 can show symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD or ADD), a neurodevelopmental condition. Identifying and treating ADHD as soon as possible can make the terrible two’s, three’s, and beyond a bit less terrible.
It’s easy to love a baby—they’re portable, they don’t talk back, and they sleep…a lot. But the minute those legs start moving across the floor, it’s game on for parents! With each step toward independence, toddlers constantly test their boundaries which is equal parts thrilling and frustrating. From birth to age 3 their little heads and tiny human bodies are exploding with activity—more than a million neural connections are produced each second—helping to power up the skills needed to walk, talk, feed, and learn to soothe themselves.
Although children as young as 4 can be diagnosed with ADHD, it’s unusual for families to receive a diagnosis in children who don’t attend school full-time. But according to a Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics study approximately 237,000 preschoolers (2 to 5 years old) have an ADHD diagnosis (2011-2012).1,2
Here, ADHD expert Dr. Caroline Buzanko explains how to detect early signs that your young child may be struggling with a neurological challenge.
