Some of the early indicators of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD may be present in infancy, but most symptoms do not typically appear until a child is three to four years old, says the Russell A. Barkley, Ph.D., at the ContinuingEdCourses.net. Typically, children suffering from prominently hyperactive ADHD get diagnosed between the age of five and eight, and children with prominently inattentive ADHD, become diagnosed when they are eight to 12 years old.
Sleep Problems
Drs. Thomas Brown and William Mullen published a study in the "Annuals New York Academy of Sciences" in 2001, that found more than 50 percent of ADHD patients have difficulties falling asleep. Twenty percent of children suffering from ADHD had severe sleep problems at least once a week. According to the parental reports, children that were later diagnosed with ADHD started having sleep disturbances when they were infants. It was stated that infants had difficulties falling asleep in the evening, and getting up in the morning. Parents of children who were later diagnosed with inattentive ADHD, also reported that these children had difficulties staying alert when they were not engaged in stimulating mental or physical activities.
Hyperactive Motor Activities
Another early indicator of ADHD is excessive motor activity, says psychologist Paul Susic at the PsychTreatment.com. A toddler that will later be diagnosed with ADHD may be constantly running around or climbing on objects. These kinds of behavior patterns typically begin before the attention related problems appear.
Resistance to Control
At preschool age, children with ADHD are often resistant to control. The child is often in a conflict situation with her parents, teachers, and peers, says psychologist Dr. Barkley. The child defiant behavior is common and may include violent and aggressive behaviors. A child with ADHD may reach more strongly to events and may be less tolerant of any changes in plans or environment. Frequently, parents and teachers describe these children as "difficult." Peers tend to shy away from the ADHD children that are resistant to control and often report, that they are not liked as much as the healthy children says D.C. Guervemont, Ph.D. in a study that was published in the "Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders" in 1994.
References
- St. Louis Psychologists and Counseling: ADHD: What is the Developmental Course?
- "Annals New York Academy of Sciences" Journal: Attention Deficit Disorders and Sleep/Arousal Disturbance
- "Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders"; Peer Relationship Problems and Disruptive Behavior Disorders; D.G. Guevremont and M.C. Dumas; 1994
- APA PsychNet: Predicting ADHD and Oppositional Defiant Disorder from Preschool Diagnostic Assessments
