Is it possible for a 4 1/2 year old to be ADHD?

Question

FYI I don't even have a 4 1/2 year old...it's not mine. I have a well behaved 3 year old.

Answer 1

Yes it is...my half brother was diagnosed by age 4 or 5...he is severly ADHD. HOWEVER, AFTER puberty we found out he ALSO has a THYROID condition, which they are finding Thyroid condidtions, ADHD, Asthma, and Eczema, ALL run within the same circle. I would speak to your pediatrician about your thoughts on this matter. I have 2 boys, one is AUTISM/ASPERGERS/ADHD/OCD/EXPRESSIVE LANGUAGE RECEPTIVE DISORDER....my second is ADD...EVERY year I have had their thyroid checked...so far it's okay, BUT they are both asthmatic, and my ADD child also has troubles with Eczema. MY oldest is 13yrs, and he was diagnosed by age 2 with PDD-NOS, then by age 6 we had our Autism label....and just this summer the ADHD was added...my younger child, who is ADD, was diagnosed by age 7.

I am including some great links that I have searched through to find out more information. ADHD is also now considered a part of the Autistic Spectrum.

Good luck....and remember ADHD is a CHEMICAL IMBALANCE....your child's system is not capable of producing the correct chemicals needed to focus, if he/she is diagnosed with ADHD...it's NOTHING they can help, and it's NOT a matter of dicipline, it is a neurological, chemical imbalance that must be treated properly by a CHILD PSYCHIATRIST who is TRAINED in Behavioral Development as well.

Answer 2

I have seen way too many kids diagnosed with it when they don't have it. Sometimes I wonder if it actually exists. Most kids have short attention spans, move around a lot, etc. They would prefer running around to schoolwork. Recess has been getting shorter and kids naturally have a lot of energy they have to keep bottled up for long periods of time at school. It's no surprise they want to fly around the house after school, not do homework, not concentrate on work at school when they can look outside and want to be there playing games. If the child starts medication for ADD/ADHD at an early age their body will start becoming used to it and the doctors will have to keep raising the dosage. If the child is still hyper/more hyper when they take the medication chances are they don't really need it. It speeds people that don't need it as the person mentioned above about cocaine addicts.

Answer 3

Perfectly possible. Doctors generally try not to diagnose children this young, but if all the symptoms are there, there is no reason that a child can't be diagnosed at that age. My best friend's son was diagnosed at age 3 1/2... and now at 12, he is still on the medicines that help him to regulate his behavior. My husband is ADHD, just wasn't diagnosed as a child, which probably would have helped quite a bit as he was growing up. An earlier diagnosis really helps children with ADD/ADHD to get a handle on their behaviors.

Answer 4

Yes. My two younger boys both showed ADD signs before they were 4. The youngest is on the mild end of the Autism spectrum, but they are starting to realize that ALL ADD/ADHD kids are on the Autism spectrum in one way or another.

They usually don't prescribe meds or do any kind of diagnosis before age 6, but if the symptoms are there, a psychologist can help.

Answer 5

I am sure it is possible, but kids at that age by nature have a short attention span. Even if the doctors told me that my kid did have ADHD, I would not personally put them on the prescription drugs. Sure it is easier for the parents because the kid is high and doing his own thing. There was a study done on cocaine addicts vs. ADHD drugs. They gave a cocaine addict the ADHD drugs that they give to kids, and the addict could not tell the difference between cocaine and the ADHD drug. Sad, but true. These drugs are new and will probable/hopefully be taken off the shelf. They say keep kids off drugs and then the parents try to find an escape and put their kids on drug. I am not personally attacking you I just think it is so sad to see these kids given drugs, even though I know that the parents are doing it to try and help their kids. I just think that they are in the dark.

Answer 6

Yes it is possible. It's very distinguishable from just normal, everyday bounce off the walls energy. They cannot concentrate on extremely small, simple tasks. He or she will have to be evaluated by a preschool teacher and a pediatrician.

If someone doesn't have a child with ADHD or is unfamiliar with it personally then they have no clue what it's like.

Answer 7

It is possible for them to have early signs at 4 1/2 yrs. They aren't able to be tested for it until they are 5, so it very well could be signs of it at 4 1/2.

Answer 8

It is possible to come up with an excuse for anything if you look hard enough.

Before rushing the poor little mite off an asylum, check what food additives you are giving him. Aspartamine is a good one to start with, found in a lot of artificial sweeteners. Food colourings are also the cause of a lot of problems. Your doctor should be able to do sensitivity tests.

Answer 9

If this helps, my stepson was informally diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 2, and then formally at the age of 3. His mother was told that Noni juice works great for kids with this. Not sure if it's available in your area though. Hope that helps!

Answer 10

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.

American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision. Washington, DC, American Psychiatric Association, 2000.

[ADHD References]