How Doctors Diagnose ADHD in Preschoolers
To diagnose your preschooler, a doctor will rely on detailed descriptions of your child’s behavior from you, day care providers, preschool teachers, and other adults who regularly see your child, along with their own observation. It’s important to talk about all symptoms with your doctor.
Just because your child has some hyperactivity and impulsivity doesn’t mean they have ADHD. For example, problems with sight, hearing, talking, or sleep can cause symptoms that look a lot like ADHD. Your child may need testing to rule out other possibilities. When your pediatrician looks into your child’s ADHD symptoms, they may first rule these out.
Kids usually need to show signs of ADHD for at least 6 months to get a diagnosis. The signs should noticeable at home and at school, day care, or on play dates. If you notice symptoms at home, ask your child care provider or preschool teacher if they have seen similar things.
Severe ADHD can make it hard for your child to learn at school. In rare cases, kids whose behavior is too disruptive face suspension from day care and bans from play dates.
If you think your preschooler has ADHD, talk to a trained professional familiar with children’s developmental disorders. This can be a pediatrician, child psychiatrist, clinical social worker, or other mental health professional.
Experts say early diagnosis and nondrug treatment are key in preschoolers with ADHD. When children’s brains are in the early years of development, parents and professionals can teach learning skills and positive behaviors. Children can also build important coping skills during this time. This can help them grow up to do better in school and in social situations.
