A little over 13 years ago we were blessed with a son who instantly warmed our hearts. He is always full of energy, giggles and smiles. However, in elementary school, we noticed he couldn’t sit still in class, talked excessively and would fidget with his fingers. After further evaluation he was diagnosed Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, commonly known as ADHD.

October is known as ADHD Awareness Month. While it can be expected that preschoolers won’t sit still or pay to instructions well, it is possible for a preschooler to be diagnosed with ADHD. According to CHADD — the National Resource Center on ADHD — children can be diagnosed with ADHD starting at age 4. Some children may outgrow the ADHD and others may not.

Assessing a child for ADHD

A diagnosis of ADHD is based on The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM 5). The manual lists three presentations of ADHD — Inattentive, Hyperactive-Impulsive and Combined. Here are the recognized symptoms for each.

A child on the inattentive side may present the following symptoms: fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes, has difficulty sustaining attention, does not appear to listen, has difficulty following instructions, is unorganized or loses things frequently, or is easily distracted and forgetful in daily activities.

Hyperactive-impulsive children, fidget with hands or feet or squirm in chairs, have difficulty remaining seated, run about or climb excessively, have difficulty engaging in activities quietly, act as if driven by a motor, talk excessively, blurt out answers before questions have been completed, have difficulty waiting or taking turns, and interrupt or intrude upon others.

For combined, inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive, a child will present symptoms from each of these.

Why address it in preschool

Preschoolers with ADHD are more likely to have difficulties in daycare or school, including problems with peer relationships and learning. They can also be placed at a higher risk of injuries. Detecting and treating the issue early on will help to minimize these problems and increase learning potential. Even if your preschooler does not have ADHD but shares some of the similar symptoms, it is important to remember that these early years are when the most significant amount of brain development occurs.

If you have concerns, it is important to always consult with your family physician first, who can refer your child onto to further tests or discuss treatment options with you.

As a parent with a child with ADHD, I can tell you that life is not going to be easy. Children with ADHD may struggle with attention and organization, but they also come with extremely creative minds, hearts of gold that are compassionate beyond measure and a spirit that can give you reasons to smile when you least expect it. You have to be their strongest advocate in the toughest of days. It also means building on their strengths and developing tools to help them succeed. Take it from me…early intervention is key to your child’s success.