An estimated 9.5 percent of children ages 4 to 17 have been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most doctors won’t diagnose this disorder in children under 5, but many toddlers show signs of hyperactivity. Spotting the signs of ADHD early can help you and your child’s doctor know how to care for her.
Inattention
Toddlers may get caught up in their toys every now and then, but a toddler who never focuses on anything you say may be showing signs of hyperactivity. He may have a hard time making eye contact while you give an instruction because he’s distracted by other sights and sounds. He also may be unable to follow simple directions, such as “Pick up the ball,” before getting distracted by something else.
High Energy Level
Nearly all toddlers are active and energetic, but a hyperactive toddler never stops moving from day to night. She may be unable to sit still, even just before bedtime when she should be tired. She may be unable to sit quietly on your lap when you read a story or continue moving around and fidgeting even when she’s in the presence of something that should hold her attention, such as her favorite cartoon character on the television.
Lack of Fear
Toddlers are just learning what’s dangerous and what’s not, but a hyperactive toddler is not concerned with danger. He may climb up on high or precarious shelves or try to run out into the street or away from you. A normal toddler may do these things once, but he learns to associate fear and danger with high places or busy roads and stays away. A hyperactive toddler isn't concerned about possible dangers until he gets hurt.
Constant Talking
As toddlers learn new words and build their communication skills, they often babble to themselves or speak sentences that make no sense to adults. Hyperactive children often talk incessantly. A toddler who shows signs of hyperactivity may rarely stop talking. She may be unable to be quiet, even when you’ve tucked her in her bed, or she may seem to be narrating a story as she flips the pages of a book. She may get frustrated or irritated when people don’t understand her and respond by talking more loudly and with more animation.
References
- BabyCenter; My Child Can't Seem to Sit Still...; Judith Hudson
- BabyCenter; Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Signs and Symptoms; May 2006
- MayoClinic.com: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Children: Symptoms
- Family Education; ADHD: What Are the Signs?; Mary Fowler
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Data and Statistics
