Is the age of 2 too early to tell if your child has ADD/ADHD?

Question

My kid is just crazy! I mean, I know that to an extent some of this is normal two-year-old behavior, but how much of it? When I compare him to other kids his age, he's soooo much more hyper! Other kids will just hold onto their mom's finger while in line at the post office and suck on their thumbs - not mine! He's all over the place! I can't even stand in one spot long enough to write a check without him taking off and destroying displays. He ignores everything we tell him, but when I see other kids his age they'll do what they're told at least after a couple of times! On the other hand - he's EXTREMELY smart and at 25 months already recognizes his ABCs, has an extensive vocabulary, whereas my friend's boy of the same age isn't nearly as verbal. He's also shown interest in potty training without any prompting from his father or me. I just don't know what to think about this kid, other than just loving him!

I want to add that he's also extremely STRONG and if I try to hold onto him he often pulls out of my grip, or if I am holding him he can push himself out of my arms. Any attempt to stop that provokes tantrums. He's also very heavy and I can't hold onto him long!

Answer 1

My husband used to work with kids with ADD and ADHD. He says two is awfully young to diagnose it.

Take heart. I have a two-year-old GIRL and she's pretty much the same way! Everywhere, into everything all at once. But smart as a whip. You know, I think that with my daughter she's just overly creative and curious and needs more stimulation because she's thinking faster and processing things which are more complex. I don't necesarily think of this as a stumbling block, but as a stepping stone (but you're right! It's sure hard to deal with!)

Hang in there. Your son is probably gifted. Work with him and let him think that things are HIS idea. Take care!

Answer 2

I'm not even going to read all those responses. I read a few. Anyone who has not had a child with ADHD cannot properly respond to this question. When my son was an infant and we would take him to a restaurant, he would slide under the platter to escape (not very good restraints). He did not sleep longer than 2 hours at a time for I cannot even remember how long, and never took a nap. Once when we were in a store and he was giving us a really hard time, my husband decided the car would be the best place for the two of them, he screamed so much that a couple of old ladies asked if "that was really his child", thinking maybe he was being kidnapped. No, you can't tell us we are bad parents or not attending to our children. He was also very bright. He began speaking at 9 months. I gave him lots to do, and read to him all the time. You know if your child is not just like other children you see around you. Yes, love him, and give him lots of encouragement. Give him lots to do and lots to learn about. Be patient and kind. Read the book called, "Allergies and the Hyperactive Child", by Dr. Doris Rapp, or any other of her books, which are available on used booksites. These books will give you information about how foods can be affecting your son. (You can also look this up online: ADHD and food allergies or food intolerances, or ADHD and Candida). Here is a question: Did your son have many infections as an infant, or did he need antibiotics? Questions: [e-mail]

Answer 3

My son is the exact same way and has been since I can remember. He is now 6 almost 7 and the Dr's are just now doing testing for ADHD. From what I have been told they don't like to test for these things untill they are in school and it is causing problems with learning. ADHD runs on both sides of the family so I kind of knew it was going to happen. I really didn't want to jinx him, but I could tell from early on. I have always sets rules, limits and boundaries for my children, but with my son it doesn't matter what we do or say he is always doing SOMETHING he isn't supposed to. It honestly has been really draining the past few years as things have gotten so much worse. He had to start kindergarten late because of his birthday, so that is why he is just now starting the testing process. Hopefully before the fall when he enters 1st grade we will have some answers and something will be done about it so he can perform in school like we know he can. His teacher has even said that he is an extremely above average student and yet he is not performing at that level and will not apply himself. He has always been a very very smart baby and child like some others have said. With that being said I wish something could have been done at an earlier age, but like the Dr's have said it is quite hard to diagnose a child that young when you don't know if they are just very active child or if there is an underlying problem. I know it may seem tough, but wait a few years and then go from there.

Answer 4

He sounds A LOT like my now 2 1/2 year old. My son has always been EXTREMELY active... walking at 9 months, talking early and running non-stop. Very strong child -- strong willed and physically strong... yet very smart. Advanced in the areas of talking, colors, ABC's, showing compassion, etc. I think a good indication to look for is can you son sit still and work on an art project, or watch a television show -- or read a book with you? If he cannot do those things, I might worry some. Talk with your ped. My son can do all of those things with ease, he's just very active. His father and I are the same way... both athletic and go-go-go kind of people... also both emotionally charged, like our son. I have my moments of "oh my goodness, what am I doing" -- but honestly, I wouldn't change a thing about him. He is VERY independent, social, loving, funny and smart. Plus, look at it this way... he ensures you get your exercise in!

Oh and my son has calmed down SOME since getting older. One thing that is very important is consistent disipline! Don't let him slide... because if you give children like this an inch they will take a mile :)

Answer 5

Wow, sounds like a rerun of my life. I still believe that if I had taken my oldest son to a doctor they would have diagnosed him as ADD at my insistence. He is now 19 and a wonderful young man, still knows what he wants and works hard to get it, just in a different way. I have 5 sons, all were crawling at 4 1/2 months, two were walking at 9 months, 2 more at 8 to 8 1/2 months. What a handful they were, but all very bright. My youngest was the earliest to do everything and was very verbal for a boy. As he got a little older it became clear that he is a gifted little boy - taught himself letters and sounds, taught himself to read, tell time, and count money at age 3. Here is an assessment to help you figure out if your son has signs of giftedness.
http://parentingpreschoolers.bizcalcs.com/Calculator.asp?Calc=Gifted-2to4-Years&Group=Parenting-Pre-Schoolers-Assessments

Hang in there! He'll be a delightful child once he learns a little self control.

Answer 6

He doesn't have ADHD, he is just active, alert and smart. I have two of those (maybe a third, we will see, he's due anyday now). Our sons are very smart, too smart, and there isn't anything that they can't do! We have abandoned all little plastic baby-proofing around our house in favor of metal chains, locks and keyed-lock doorknobs. We have a 4-yr-old and a 2-yr-old (and the new baby coming), all boys. The can disassemble anything (we have to keep the tools locked up and they can still manage it if they find change). Just love him, and try to rest up when you can! As for trying to accomplish things, I have learned to be fast, or prepared. I write out most of the check in the car and just leave the amount etc so I can save time. Good luck

Answer 7

That is much too early to tell. ADD/ADHD is about more than just having alot of energy. It's not being able to focus and complete tasks and such. My husband had ADD as a child and his mom said he was terrible. He wouldn't even watch tv or anything. He couldn't do anything that required attention.
If your son is doing all that, he probably is ok, just very active. Kids have different personalities and activity levels. My 16mo is very active, my 2yo neice is quiet and calm.

Answer 8

2 is too young to diagnose, but it's not too young to start working with helping a hyperactive child cope and develop skills for dealing with life! Hyperactive children do best with LOTS of structure in the home and very consistent, reliable expectations for behavior and discipline. Because it will be harder for your child to develop self-control over his actions if he does end up being ADD/ADHD or if he just has some issues with hyperactivity he will rely on YOU to be VERY reliable in providing him with expectations for what he needs to be doing at any given time and what the consequences will be if he doesn't follow through with the desired behavior. Good luck!

Answer 9

Here is some good info about ADD/ADHD.

http://www.addcoachacademy.com/add-adhd-test-diagnosis.html

For my son, who is 2, I bought a harness. I know that people look at you funny, but I don't want him in a stroller all the time and he runs away. And, he is old enough to be talked to about his behaviour. Talk to him away from the situation... like before you go out shopping or something... "when you run away while mommy is shopping, I get angry". Then, ask him to stay with you and give him constant reminders... "You are doing a great job staying with mommy... remember... no running away."

Answer 10

Two is too young to say ADD or not. My son is the same way. He has NEVER been still. The best thing that i do for him is have plenty of activities available. Coloring, painting, outside for ANYTHING, once he gets restless with one thing we move on to another. I try to teach him things as we go along. But for my sanity outside time is the best. I just call out to him the alphabet and he says it with my, same with numbers. Good Luck!!