Could my child have ADHD?

Question

my 2 yr. old is a very hyper child she has always been that wayand her attention span is not that great she can't even sit down long enough to feed herself dinner. and when she gets a whooping for doing something she just did it's like it doesn't register, like it didn't even happen. and my husband had ADHD as a child and i have adult ADD. i know she's only 2 but she's different than other 2 yr. olds. someone please help me, i love her so much but she drives me crazy.

Answer 1

AHHHHH I have so much to say on this matter. This was my culminating research project topic at my University: How is the growing child affected by ADHD: Prenatally though adulthood. When I read your post my brain was screaming - I need to add my opinion but bear with me, I have a lot to say.

1) ADHD is a life long disorder, you are born with it, and you never outgrow it:
ADHD affects people differently with varying levels of activity. Many people learn how to cope with it, adults often self medicate (alcohol, caffeine, nicotine). Stimulants such as caffeine can cause a reverse reaction (hence why Ritalin, a stimulant is used to counteract the physical symptoms of ADHD in children) can actually calm an adult with ADHD. Also adults with ADHD often become smokers, as the nicotine found in cigarettes bind to the receptors located in the prefrontal cortex resulting in a temporary numbing of the synapses found there (which gives the calming effect).

2) There is a genetic component to ADHD:
Studies have shown ADHD to have a biological component, when one parent is diagnosed with ADHD, there is an 80% chance the child will have it as well, since you both have it, your child's chances of having ADHD has been increased.

3) Taking her to a Doctor now is pretty much pointless:
Diagnosis is best when done as the child enters the educational system. Your little girl is young, because you are so concerned; you are naturally more likely to see symptoms of ADHD. But remember, children between the ages of 2 and 6 are just naturally more energetic; it's a part of her development!

4) Guidelines for what ADHD really is:
The American Psychiatric Association publishes a book called the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 4th Edition (DSM-IV). This book is HUGE and lists all the criteria a person must display in order to have one of the many disorders found in the world. ADHD is found there, you can read (or not) my annotated notes further down. One of the very first things it states is that your daughter must have shown symptoms for the past 6 months, she is only two. You will be hard pressed to convince a real doctor that she has had social impairments due to her ADHD since she was 1 and a half. 

My opinion:
What I would seriously like for you to do is have a conversation with your husband. Discuss all the things your parents did to try and control your behavior and consider which of them actually worked. Did all the punishments, spankings, threats, being yelled at actually make you behave in the ways they wanted? Did you do what they wanted because you saw any benefit in it or was it out of fear of your own parents? Do you want your child to grow up fearing you? Take your experiences and create better ones for your daughter.

I am not trying to attack you in anyway, only to inform you so that you have a starting point in which to begin your research. Please, please do not just take some persons opinion off the internet and run with it, become informed and make the right decisions for your little girl.

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annotated notes:
The criteria for ADHD are listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 4th Edition (DSM-IV) as a set of descriptions for children and adolescents who have significant difficulties with inattention, hyperactive behaviors and impulse control problems in two or more settings (American Psychiatric Association, 1994).

There are four types of ADHD: inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive, combined and not otherwise specified (NOS). (Criteria for each is listed below)

For a diagnosis of ADHD to be made, the symptoms must:
1)Be present for the past 6 months
2)be present before the age of 7
3)cause an impairment in two or more settings
4)be an impairment of academic, social or occupational function.

Criteria for ADHD - Inattentive (must have 6 of 9)
Fails to give close attention to details
Difficulty sustaining attention
Does not seem to listen
Fails to finish or to follow through
Has difficulty organizing
Dislikes tasks requiring sustained attention
Often loses things necessary for task
Easily distracted
Is often forgetful

Criteria for ADHD - Hyperactive/Impulsive (must have 6 of 9)
Often fidgets with hands, feet, or squirms
Often leaves seat when not supposed to
Often runs about or climbs
Difficulty playing quietly
Is often “on the go” or seems as if “driven by a motor”
Often talks excessively
Often blurts out answers
Has difficulty waiting turns
Interrupts/intrudes on others

Criteria for ADHD - Combined
A combination of 12 of the 18 symptoms from

Criteria for ADHD - Not Otherwise Specified (NOS)
Shows significant behaviors but does not meet all characteristics

Answer 2

Definitely check out her diet. If it's overloaded with sugars, carbs, dyes etc it may be affecting her. Try out a reward system for good behavior (if she can play nicely for ten minutes with another child, you give her a cheap toy or a tickle session or something, for instance). A good schedule for sleeping and quiet time helps too... Perhaps look into child massage and other similar techniques (focused quiet story time, coloring,etc) to encourage her to be calmer and more relaxed. Get a trampoline or a small pool, go for walks, tire her out more? As others have said, though, she's way too young. I also believe in over diagnosis. You might just have a super hyper child! Whatever you do, don't shove her in an ADD box and potentially miss out on developing some great gifts and abilities that come with energy. Maybe she's born to be a fabulous soccer player or dancer!

Answer 3

First of all, don't assume your child has ADHD - this is one of the more overdiagnosed syndromes today.

You might want to rule out sleep deprivation. Does your child sleep as much as she wants/needs or you you force her to sleep on a regular schedule? One theory about ADHD is that it's really just how some people deal with sleep disorders (most people get tired and groggy, ADHD people force themselves hyper to stay awake). If you do some research, you'll find that a large percentage of ADHD people have sleeping problems (myself included).

If your child really does have ADHD, you'll want to observe her behavior carefully. I'm sure you're aware that most people with ADHD only have selective inattention. Most also have a tendency to focus on one thing so much they lose track of time. If you can identify what that is for your daughter, you can use that to help her learn to pay more attention to other things.

Lastly, you and your family need to be firm about not reinforcing hyper behavior. Your daughter is more likely to act a certain way if you promote it being praising her at the times when you think the hyperness is cute.

Answer 4

Don't go crazy, I have an 11yrold w/ ADD, i have a 4 yr old with possible ADHD cause he has to get evaluated and my 9yr old is fine. I had ADD as a child and adult and my hubby none. All my brothers have ADHD (4 of them). If you are given lemons learn to make lemonade. If you are given a special child don't make him feel wronge ( there are plenty of ppl out there that do it gladly) be his support.There are signs to see if he is or not. Internet search can help w/that.

Answer 5

I don't believe in diagnosing infants with ADHD or ADD, but if you think the child is different, you need to have her evaluated by a professional. You may want to pay attention to her diet, record what she eats, and see if the problems are worse or occur after she has eaten something.

If she has a biochemical problem, whooping her for bad behavior will not help. Try to ignore the bad behavior and praise her for good behavior. It may be she sees she gets attention only when she is bad.

Answer 6

2 is still really young. I have a 2 year old -- who's behavior I question regularly -- but everyone tells me.... he's 2. I'd dial back the whooping though --- it does no good at this age..... they just laugh. Does she talk? Sometimes language delay can be a source of frustration and in turn acting out. Be patient and consistent (even when you have to say the same thing 43 times) and P.S. Dinner at our house is a nightmare too. My oldest grew out of it -- yours (and my second one) will too.

Answer 7

If you and your husband both have ADHD then its very possible that your child could have it, but I'm not sure they can even test a child that young for ADHD! My roommate wanted to have her toddler tested for ADHD and the child's pediatrician said that it is nearly impossible to test a child under the age of 4 for it, because it is hard to tell what is regular energy and what is actual ADHD.

Answer 8

they usually don't until the age of three for add or ad/hd
Try another method besides spanking, like a naughty chair or time out on a rug. This removes the child from the situation and prevents the conflict from escalating so quickly. Try cutting out all sugar and food coloring....especially red and yellow dye found in cheetos, fruity pebbles, fruit snacks, juices, kool-aid, and such

Answer 9

Please don't be offended, but ADHD is a load of c-r-a-p. Ever notice how it was never diagnosed before TV was invented?

Try reducing loud noise in your home, like the TV or loud music, etc.

I was told I had ADHD at 21 while seeking treatment for an entirely unrelated condition: pregnancy! They tell everyone who has the slightest inkling to not sit still that it's the 'Dreaded ADHD.'

Answer 10

Dont diagnose her with anything at this age! Jus let her be a kid...if whoopings dont work, try talking to her very sternly, take away her toys, put her in time out, no dessert...other methods of punishment.... (i dont really believe in add or adhd)