too young | ADHD Information

I don't think you're going to get a very precise dx at 2 1/2 yo.  I'd hold off a few years and in the meantime work with your dd very intensively, use the marble system and make sure your discipline is reliable and consistant.  Read as much as you can on ADHD.  Check the alternatives board  because there may be something there you can use like omega 3s and fish oil.  When my ds was that age, I figured that he'd just figure it out when he got older.  I wish I had worked more with him when he was a toddler.  I think the early school years would have gone better.  Keeping a journal of what she does and when she does it might also help.  Also check out diet modifications. 

well, I have a 2 year old also and I don't think they have the cognitive skills to understand the marble system..I would try something like 1,2,3 magic.   Two year olds understand Time OUT! 

Also,  when trying to change a beharior ...pick one behavior at a time and work on that..my little girl thought it was hysterical to run around the car rather than going into the house so we would have this wonderful ( to her) frustrating game of CATCH ME.  We practiced 10 times in a row getting out of the car and walking to the door with the phrase...Walk to the door....Well it works and now when she gets out of the car, she goes to the door and no more playing CATCH ME... We are now working on walking nicely in a store without wandering off or running from MOM....she is learing if she wants to walk ( no stroller) that she must hold my skirt or hand.

I guess the bottom line is pick one behavior that you want to change and develop a plan.

Personally I think it's too young.My boy Jude was diagnosed at three years and 9 months after attending the readen centren in Aberdeen Scotland. We were originally blind to him and it was our health visitor who said is Jude always so high we originally thought it was a boy thing  that he was slower but hyper.

My son was diagnosed at the age of 3 years 5 months and is on a  very low dosage of medicine. His impulsive behaviors were not pleasant or safe at times.  Before we worked with the doctors we had him in play therapy.  Play therapy helped us tremendously as parents and helped him tremendously too.  Play therapy might be something to consider in your search to help your child.

Also, I feel consistency is the key to all kids whether they are ad/hd or not. 

Also, you might want to talk to the doctors about doing some nutritional diet changes. (low carb/high protein)  Some of us have found out that many foods can contribute to children's behaviors. 

  We are seeing a totally different boy by doing these three things.  He is what most people who don't understand ad/hd consider a "typical normal boy."

Goodluck on finding what works for you and your child.

Hello Everyone,

I have a 2 and a half year old little girl.  I don't know if she is ADHD or not, I've been told she is to young to diagnose.  She is never still, has a hard time concentrating or focusing and she has 3 diagnosed people in her extented family(granpa, aunt and cousin) that have ADHD. My mother is sure she has it.  I don't know what to think. I love her tons, but I just don't know what to do with her anymore.  She doesn't listen to me at all.  I just don't know how to displine her.  I've read a lot online about ADHD and I've read that they have a hard time connecting consequence to the action.  I'm wondering if that might play a roll in her behavior.  Or if I just have a terrible two year old and need to work harder on being consitent.  Any advice would be appreciated.

Many will tell you she is too young -- however, from our personal experience we knew at that age.  Our son is now 4 and has been dx'd since he was 3.  He was always different and I knew that compared to his peers.  In our situation as well, we had a VERY strong genetic component so that was a huge red flag for us.  We made a decision not to medicate and have pursued alternatives such as supplements and diet modifications.  Those have worked well for us.... welcome to the board and hope you find the answers you seek.

I don't trust my current pedeatrician to diagnose or give helpful advice on alternatives to medication.  Do you have any advice on how to find a pediatrician or dr or specialist that I can get some good information from?

Consistency and repetitiveness is the key if she has ADHD. If she doesn't then it still will not hurt. I suggest patients and love. ADHD kids get it... it just takes them longer. Routine and set scheduling also is very helpful. If you change the routine everyday it will make things harder for her and you, especially if she is ADHD. So consistency, routine, patients, and love are the best things you can give her for her and your sanity.

I do not know anything about diagnosis in regards to age.

Just my two cents,

John