Signs of ADHD in Toddlers

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSigns and SymptomsRisk Factors for ADHD in ChildrenGetting Your Toddler an ADHD DiagnosisSupporting Your Toddler’s NeedsFrequently Asked Questions

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Signs and Symptoms

Risk Factors for ADHD in Children

Getting Your Toddler an ADHD Diagnosis

Supporting Your Toddler’s Needs

Frequently Asked Questions

Attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a behavioral and developmental disorder that affects about 5%-7% of the population.Both children and adults can experience ADHD, but it isn’t typically diagnosed in children until the elementary school years.Still, symptoms of ADHD can begin to emerge as early as the toddler years, and parents often wonder if their young child may be showing signs of ADHD.

Symptoms of ADHD in toddlers may resemble behaviors that are normal for toddlers, such as an inability to focus, hyperactivity, and impulsive movements and behaviors. But in toddlers that may go on to be diagnosed with ADHD, these behaviors may be more noticeably intense and disruptive.

Read on for a more detailed breakdown of ADHD symptoms in toddlers, risk factors for ADHD, and answers to other common questions about ADHD in toddlers.

20 Signs and Symptoms of ADHD in Girls

Toddlers can’t formally be diagnosed with ADHD. Formal diagnosis of ADHD usually happens once your child is elementary aged, or at least four years old.For this reason, it can be difficult to say for sure that certain toddler behaviors mean that your child has ADHD.

What’s more, many behaviors—like an inability to concentrate and pay attention, trouble following instructions, seeming impulsive, not being able to stay still—all can be normal for toddlers, and may eventually be outgrown.

At the same time, studies have found that certain symptoms may indicate that your toddler will eventually go on to be diagnosed with ADHD.Here’s what we know so far.

ADHD in Boys: Differences, Diagnosis, and Treatment

ADHD Symptoms in Babies

For example, a study published inEuropean Child & Adolescent Psychiatryfound that language delays and motor skills delays in babies may be an early sign of ADHD.

ADHD Symptoms in Toddlers

Toddlers and preschoolers who later become diagnosed with ADHD will have many of the same common symptoms that older children do.There are three symptoms that are considered the “core” symptoms of ADHD, and even toddlers may show signs of these:

Again, the confusing thing is that these symptoms are normal behaviors for toddlers and preschoolers, as many haven’t yet developed impulsive control or the ability to focus in the same way older children have. Most toddlers begin to outgrow these symptoms as they get close to kindergarten.

Still, many parents of toddlers who later go on to be diagnosed with ADHD notice that their child seems notablylessattentive,moreimpulsive, andmorehyperactive than other children their age.

This may become apparent when your child plays with other kids their age, or when they enter a childcare or preschool setting and you are able to compare their behavior to other kids’ behavior.

For example, you may notice that your toddler:

Sound Sensitivity in ADHD

Nevertheless, there are some risk factors that may make a toddler more likely to receive an ADHD diagnosis down the road:

ADHD Diet for Kids

If you notice that your toddler’s impulsive, inattentive, and hyperactive behavior continues even once they start elementary school, it might be time to seek a diagnosis. To do this, you would need to visit your pediatrician, who may refer you to a child development professional.

The earliest ADHD is diagnosed is usually at four years old, but it’s often not diagnosed till after elementary school. To be diagnosed with ADHD, your child must:

Some ways you can support your toddler’s development:

Frequently Asked QuestionsExperts aren’t sure what causes ADHD in children, but most believe there is a genetic component, and that children with ADHD have differences in brain chemistry that make them more likely to exhibit symptoms.Although your healthcare provider can’t formally diagnose your child with ADHD until the age of four, it’s a good idea to share any concerning symptoms you notice ASAP.This way, your healthcare provider will understand your child’s background, should the symptoms persist and an ADHD diagnosis becomes a consideration.Finding out that your child has ADHD can be stressful, but the truth is that finallygetting a diagnosiscan be reassuring. This means that your child will finally get the help they need to function more easily. Treatment for ADHD in kids include parental education, support in implementing behavioral medication techniques, and medication.At this time, it’s not known whether ADHD can be prevented. However, getting an early diagnosis and beginning treatment as early as possible ensures a better outcome for your child.So don’t hesitate to share any early symptoms of ADHD that you may be noticing in your toddler with your healthcare provider. This way, treatment can start early, should your child need it.

Experts aren’t sure what causes ADHD in children, but most believe there is a genetic component, and that children with ADHD have differences in brain chemistry that make them more likely to exhibit symptoms.

Although your healthcare provider can’t formally diagnose your child with ADHD until the age of four, it’s a good idea to share any concerning symptoms you notice ASAP.This way, your healthcare provider will understand your child’s background, should the symptoms persist and an ADHD diagnosis becomes a consideration.

Finding out that your child has ADHD can be stressful, but the truth is that finallygetting a diagnosiscan be reassuring. This means that your child will finally get the help they need to function more easily. Treatment for ADHD in kids include parental education, support in implementing behavioral medication techniques, and medication.

At this time, it’s not known whether ADHD can be prevented. However, getting an early diagnosis and beginning treatment as early as possible ensures a better outcome for your child.So don’t hesitate to share any early symptoms of ADHD that you may be noticing in your toddler with your healthcare provider. This way, treatment can start early, should your child need it.

Living With ADHD: Strategies for Well-Being

7 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Athanasiadou A, Buitelaar J, Brovedani P, et al.Early motor signs of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: a systematic review. European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 2020;29:903–916. doi:10.1007/s00787-019-01298-5American Academy of Pediatrics.Early Warning Signs of ADHD.Brown H, Harvey E.Psychometric Properties of ADHD Symptoms in Toddlers.Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology. 2019;48(3):423-439. doi:10.1080/15374416.2018.1485105American Academy of Pediatrics.Diagnosing ADHD in Children: Guidelines & Information for Parents.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Children.Gurevitz M, Geva R, Varon M, Leitner Y.Early markers in infants and toddlers for development of ADHD.Journal of Attention Disorders. 2014;18(1):14-22. doi:10.1177/1087054712447858Mehren A, Reichert M, Coghill D, Müller HHO, Braun N, Philipsen A.Physical exercise in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder - evidence and implications for the treatment of borderline personality disorder.Borderline Personal Disord Emot Dysregul. 2020;7:1. doi:10.1186/s40479-019-0115-2Additional ReadingAmerican Academy of Pediatrics.Causes of ADHD: What We Know Today.

7 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Athanasiadou A, Buitelaar J, Brovedani P, et al.Early motor signs of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: a systematic review. European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 2020;29:903–916. doi:10.1007/s00787-019-01298-5American Academy of Pediatrics.Early Warning Signs of ADHD.Brown H, Harvey E.Psychometric Properties of ADHD Symptoms in Toddlers.Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology. 2019;48(3):423-439. doi:10.1080/15374416.2018.1485105American Academy of Pediatrics.Diagnosing ADHD in Children: Guidelines & Information for Parents.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Children.Gurevitz M, Geva R, Varon M, Leitner Y.Early markers in infants and toddlers for development of ADHD.Journal of Attention Disorders. 2014;18(1):14-22. doi:10.1177/1087054712447858Mehren A, Reichert M, Coghill D, Müller HHO, Braun N, Philipsen A.Physical exercise in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder - evidence and implications for the treatment of borderline personality disorder.Borderline Personal Disord Emot Dysregul. 2020;7:1. doi:10.1186/s40479-019-0115-2Additional ReadingAmerican Academy of Pediatrics.Causes of ADHD: What We Know Today.

Athanasiadou A, Buitelaar J, Brovedani P, et al.Early motor signs of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: a systematic review. European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 2020;29:903–916. doi:10.1007/s00787-019-01298-5American Academy of Pediatrics.Early Warning Signs of ADHD.Brown H, Harvey E.Psychometric Properties of ADHD Symptoms in Toddlers.Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology. 2019;48(3):423-439. doi:10.1080/15374416.2018.1485105American Academy of Pediatrics.Diagnosing ADHD in Children: Guidelines & Information for Parents.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Children.Gurevitz M, Geva R, Varon M, Leitner Y.Early markers in infants and toddlers for development of ADHD.Journal of Attention Disorders. 2014;18(1):14-22. doi:10.1177/1087054712447858Mehren A, Reichert M, Coghill D, Müller HHO, Braun N, Philipsen A.Physical exercise in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder - evidence and implications for the treatment of borderline personality disorder.Borderline Personal Disord Emot Dysregul. 2020;7:1. doi:10.1186/s40479-019-0115-2

American Academy of Pediatrics.Early Warning Signs of ADHD.

Brown H, Harvey E.Psychometric Properties of ADHD Symptoms in Toddlers.Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology. 2019;48(3):423-439. doi:10.1080/15374416.2018.1485105

American Academy of Pediatrics.Diagnosing ADHD in Children: Guidelines & Information for Parents.

Johns Hopkins Medicine.Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Children.

Gurevitz M, Geva R, Varon M, Leitner Y.Early markers in infants and toddlers for development of ADHD.Journal of Attention Disorders. 2014;18(1):14-22. doi:10.1177/1087054712447858

Mehren A, Reichert M, Coghill D, Müller HHO, Braun N, Philipsen A.Physical exercise in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder - evidence and implications for the treatment of borderline personality disorder.Borderline Personal Disord Emot Dysregul. 2020;7:1. doi:10.1186/s40479-019-0115-2

American Academy of Pediatrics.Causes of ADHD: What We Know Today.

Meet Our Review Board

Share Feedback

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

What is your feedback?

ADHD Symptoms in Babies#

ADHD Symptoms in Toddlers#

ADHD Symptoms in Babies

ADHD Symptoms in Toddlers