Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Stages

6 warning signs and key symptoms of ADHD in toddlers

Kelli Catana
By

According to a 2016 study, 9.4% of children in the United States have been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Just under 2.5% of those children are toddlers between the ages of 2 and 5. The study claims that although most children aren’t diagnosed with ADHD until they begin school, there are some symptoms that begin to show during the toddler years.

Recognizing potential signs of ADHD in your toddler can help lead to an early diagnosis, which can mean getting your child any necessary help sooner. Here are six warning signs and key symptoms of ADHD in toddlers. If you’re concerned about your child’s health and behavior, you should always contact your doctor for professional guidance.

Related Videos
signs-adhd-toddler1

Early signs of ADHD in toddlers

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, ADHD “is marked by an ongoing pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development.” Inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity are the three main symptoms of ADHD, which is why it can often be difficult to diagnose young children. Toddlers are hyperactive and impulsive by nature, so historically, it has proven difficult to diagnose ADHD in younger children. If you think your toddler may be exhibiting symptoms of ADHD, a healthcare professional will need to make that diagnosis. Your pediatrician may refer you to a mental health care professional for further observation and according to Healthline, they will require your toddler’s symptoms to continue for more than six months and affect their ability to participate in age-appropriate activities.

The most common symptom of ADHD in children between the ages of 4 and 5 is hyperactivity and impulsivity, as parents and teachers often tend to notice inattentiveness more as children begin school. Unfortunately, the symptoms can often be construed as just behavioral issues or emotional problems and many children are left undiagnosed. Some of the signs of hyperactivity and impulsivity as noted by the National Institute of Mental Health that parents can look for as early signs of ADHD in toddlers are:

  • fidgeting and squirming while seated
  • leaving their seats in situations when staying seated is expected, such as in the classroom or the office
  • being unable to play or engage in hobbies quietly
  • being constantly in motion or on the go, or acting as if driven by a motor
  • talking excessively
  • answering questions before they are fully asked, finishing other people’s sentences, or speaking without waiting for a turn in a conversation
  • having difficulty waiting for one’s turn
  • interrupting others; for example in conversations, games, or activities

At what age can a toddler be diagnosed with ADHD?

Although children are typically not evaluated for ADHD until they are school age, WebMD notes that children as young as the age of 4 can now be diagnosed, thanks to new guidelines set forth by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

How do ADHD toddlers act?

James Perrin, MD, a pediatrics professor at Harvard Medical School explained to WebMD how a toddler with ADHD’s behavior might differ from a toddler who doesn’t have ADHD. “Young kids with ADHD are incredibly active all the time,” he explained. “Most 4-year-olds are very active in general, but they settle down: take naps, sit for meals. A child with ADHD is on the go all the time.” George DuPaul, Ph.D., professor of school psychology at Lehigh University added that “what sets these kids apart is the degree and frequency with which they are hyper and impulsive. These kids are literally plowing through activities and people at a high pace.”

signs-adhd-toddler3

Signs and symptoms of ADHD in toddlers

As per the CDC, there are 18 core behaviors that are symptoms of inattentiveness and hyperactivity/impulsiveness that parents can identify to help determine if they think their child may have ADHD. These behaviors, like the ones listed above and more like trouble paying attention, trouble listening when being spoken to, or being easily distracted or forgetful are all signs and symptoms of ADHD. To obtain a diagnosis of ADHD, at least six of these behaviors need to be present for more than six months at a level that is disruptive or inappropriate for the child’s level of development.

What causes ADHD in toddlers?

The AAP notes that ADHD, a neurobiological condition, is one of the most common and studied childhood conditions. Although medical professionals and researchers are discovering more about ADHD every day, there is research that indicates some of the potential causes. Genetics can play a big role in whether or not a toddler will have ADHD and often more than one member of a family will be diagnosed. A child with ADHD has a 1 in 4 chance of having a parent with ADHD. Head injuries and prematurity can also cause ADHD as can prenatal exposure to alcohol or nicotine. Studies have also shown there is no proven correlation between eating too much sugar, food additives, allergies or immunizations, and ADHD.

If you’re concerned your toddler may have ADHD it’s important to discuss those concerns with your healthcare professional as you will need a full and complete evaluation by a medical professional to receive a diagnosis.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
What is normal teen sexual behavior? We’ve got answers to help you understand your teenager
Read this to find out if your teen's sexual behavior is "normal"
Two teenagers on a date outside

What can parents actually expect when their kids turn into teens and start exploring their sexuality? It can be an uncomfortable subject, but being educated about typical sexual development and what your teen may be hearing from their peers is important to make sure you can talk openly with your child about protection, consent, risk reduction, and other issues.
Teens will be talking about sex and exploring this new part of their lives eventually and it's perfectly natural. Having your head in the sand won't make it go away, so the information below will prepare you with information to tackle this new stage of parenting.

Puberty
The onset of puberty is what can start the beginning of this stage of life for teens, but it doesn't mean they're ready for sex; just that they may start experiencing sexual thoughts like crushes or urges like feeling aroused. On average, puberty begins between ages 8 and 14.

Read more
Going through the IVF process? Here’s what to expect
Ready for the IVF process? The steps and expectations from start to finish
A woman undergoing an ultrasound

Because of modern science, the birds and the bees aren’t precisely what they used to be. The rise of assisted reproductive technology (ART) has given parents ways of conceiving besides intercourse.

More than 8 million babies have been born via in vitro fertilization (IVF) since its inception in 1978 and 2018. In 2019, more than 83,000 babies were born via ART, according to CDC data. It’s unclear how many of those were from the IVF process, but the CDC notes it’s the most common form of ART.

Read more
5 things you should never say to a pregnant woman
She's already cranky, puffed, and exhausted. Please don't make it worse with these common questions for pregnant women
Pregnant married woman standing in a floral gown

These lists are sometimes hard to compile because of the beautiful complexity and differences between women. What may be offensive to one may be exactly what another needs to hear. Women, particularly pregnant women, are multidimensional, deeply thinking, individualistic human beings, and there is no "one-size-fits-all" list that applies to everyone.
However, there does seem to be an invisible boundary of privacy that drops when a woman is expecting a child. In a time when she is very likely uncertain, nervous, and potentially bombarded with any number of questions, swimming in a pool of nerves, people think this is the time to invade her space.
Most of these are well-intentioned questions, habitual, even. Rightfully so, people are excited and happy at the sight of a pregnant woman, and sometimes in that joy, manners can slip. It's important to keep in mind that many women -- particularly the more introverted ones -- are uncomfortable with all the new attention they're probably receiving. For the women who don't relish having these conversations with their family members, friends, hairstylists, and strangers in the produce section, these questions can be very awkward. Keep reading to find out the things you should never say to a pregnant woman.

'Are you going to breastfeed?'
This one is usually said with an air of haughtiness that also says, "It is the best choice, you know. Any mother who doesn’t breastfeed is just the absolute worst and shouldn’t be allowed to have children if only because of her shocking selfishness."
Ladies (and gentlemen), think about this one for a moment. While, as mentioned above, your intentions are undoubtedly lovely and kind, you may very well be deeply offending the already uncomfortable pregnant woman you’re talking to. Take into consideration that there are many reasons her answer to this question may be (gasp) "No."
Perhaps she has a medical issue that prevents her from breastfeeding. Perhaps she has a deeply rooted psychological reason she’s chosen not to. Perhaps she just feels icky about the whole thing, and despite her best efforts, just can’t move past it. Whatever the reason, she already knows breastfeeding is the healthiest and “best” option without you telling her so.
She doesn’t need to know that it’s what you did and that your babies were just healthy little horses. She doesn’t need to hear that feeding her precious, unborn baby formula is the equivalent of feeding it Tang instead of freshly squeezed orange juice. She’s thought about her choice more than you have; whatever that choice is, it's really none of your business.

Read more