When do you know when your child has a attention disorder?

Question

I have a 2-1/2 yr old and he is very smart for his age. The only thing is when I ask him to stop doing thing he acts like he never heard me. Even if it is really dangerous. For instance, i told him to stop hitting his brother and he continued to do it ..then i said go ahead hit your brother ..he told me no It hurts.then i said well thank you you. then you know why it 's not nice to hit .then he went over and hit him...??? i'm confused please help

Answer 1

DSM-IV Criteria for ADHD
I. Either A or B:

1.

Six or more of the following symptoms of inattention have been present for at least 6 months to a point that is disruptive and inappropriate for developmental level:

Inattention

1.

Often does not give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities.
2.

Often has trouble keeping attention on tasks or play activities.
3.

Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.
4.

Often does not follow instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions).
5.

Often has trouble organizing activities.
6.

Often avoids, dislikes, or doesn't want to do things that take a lot of mental effort for a long period of time (such as schoolwork or homework).
7.

Often loses things needed for tasks and activities (e.g. toys, school assignments, pencils, books, or tools).
8.

Is often easily distracted.
9.

Is often forgetful in daily activities.

2.

Six or more of the following symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity have been present for at least 6 months to an extent that is disruptive and inappropriate for developmental level:

Hyperactivity

1.

Often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat.
2.

Often gets up from seat when remaining in seat is expected.
3.

Often runs about or climbs when and where it is not appropriate (adolescents or adults may feel very restless).
4.

Often has trouble playing or enjoying leisure activities quietly.
5.

Is often "on the go" or often acts as if "driven by a motor".
6.

Often talks excessively.

Impulsivity

1.

Often blurts out answers before questions have been finished.
2.

Often has trouble waiting one's turn.
3.

Often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations or games).

2.

Some symptoms that cause impairment were present before age 7 years.
3.

Some impairment from the symptoms is present in two or more settings (e.g. at school/work and at home).
4.

There must be clear evidence of significant impairment in social, school, or work functioning.
5.

The symptoms do not happen only during the course of a Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Schizophrenia, or other Psychotic Disorder. The symptoms are not better accounted for by another mental disorder (e.g. Mood Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, Dissociative Disorder, or a Personality Disorder).

Based on these criteria, three types of ADHD are identified:

1.

ADHD, Combined Type: if both criteria 1A and 1B are met for the past 6 months
2.

ADHD, Predominantly Inattentive Type: if criterion 1A is met but criterion 1B is not met for the past six months
3.

ADHD, Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type: if Criterion 1B is met but Criterion 1A is not met for the past six months.

Answer 2

Hes 2. I get so tired of people taking the easy way out and labeling thir kids ADD or ADHD.
Hes a boy hes two for gods sake.
ADD and ADHD or over diagnosed. Go find the book " raising your spirited child" then take your kids out to go run around and play like boys!!! That means you have to go to , or get their father to do it.
And now that I have completely gone nuts on the topic, ADD can not and should not be diagnosed prior to second grade. There are too many normal behvaior issues prior to that look just like ADD but are age appropriate.
2 simple rules to start. Be safe and be kind. We dont hit its not kind. Thats it. We dont run through the parking lot, its not safe.

Then always give the proper instruction for what TO do . We hold mommys hand when we walk through the parking lot.We share when we play.
If he continues to hit you get off your butt and gently move him away get right down to his level and say , if you keep hitting you will go to your room and we will not play.
Be consistant.

Answer 3

To be honest we tend to jump to ADHD or the like quickly instead of looking at possible behavioral issues. ADHD in my opinion should not even become a discussion until a child is school level and it is really effecting their work, teachers will tell you about this. A 2 year old child is bound to test the limits, push boundaries, be wild and not listen, that's totally normal. This is more about learning more strategies as a parent to teach, set limits and discipline a child

Answer 4

I wouldn't say its an attention disorder rather than a cry for attention, maybe the toddler feels threatened by the "competition" especially if the brother is in an infant age. Try to make him feel like a big brother that has "responsibilities" to protect his brother rather than hurt (hit) him.... Include him in the baby's diaper change or feeding. Let him know that he is special, he is a big boy, but the baby needs constant care and that you appreciate his "help".....

Answer 5

At this age it is normal for him to press you. My son is adhd and the doctor wouldn't even screen him before he turned 6 as she said until they started school and was in a structured environment all day it wasn't a real indication. My daughter however is fine but when she was 2 her brother was born and she was sooooooooo mean to him at times I was afraid she would hurt him and the more I talked the more she tuned me out, find something that will get his attention with her it was if she wanted to ignore me fine but we wasn't going to the park. Selective listening all kids have it.

Answer 6

my son has adhd which is add with the hyperactivity. i knew that things were wrong when he was a toddler and when he got mad he'd bang his head on the floor. he always wanted to be in his walker not in a swing or anything like that. he constantly had to be going. then when he got a couple of years older there was nothing in the house he couldn't get to. he would even climb the cabinets to reach stuff on top of the refrigerator. then he would get in the hallway and literally climb my walls. he would constantly do back flips off my couch and coffee table and stuff like that. he did hit people and stuff though. anyway i took him to the doctor and he told me i had to wait til he started school and they could give some feedback. so after he started school i had him tested for it and he was adhd. but it sounds to me like your son may just have some anger issues or wanting attention. good luck

Answer 7

It just sounds like a typical two year old to me, however, if you are really worried there is a form you can get from your doctor that rates behavior to evaluate for ADD or ADHD. One of the forms is called a Conner's rating scale but there are others as well.

Answer 8

You usually cant really tell if its ADD until he gets into school, and just having ADD wont make him defiant. Theres another dissorder called ODD Oppositional Defiant Disorder, that you may want to look into

Answer 9

when the school system says so