how can you tell if a 4 year old has adhd or whatever its called or is this to young to tell?????

Symptoms of ADHD

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The year 2000 Diagnostic & Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) provides criteria for diagnosing ADHD. The criteria are presented here in modified form in order to make them more accessible to the general public. They are listed here for information purposes and should be used only by trained health care providers to diagnose or treat ADHD.

DSM-IV Criteria for ADHD
I. Either A or B:

Six or more of the following symptoms of inattention have been present for at least 6 months to a point that is disruptive and inappropriate for developmental level:

Inattention

Often does not give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities.

Often has trouble keeping attention on tasks or play activities.

Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.

Often does not follow instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions).

Often has trouble organizing activities.

Often avoids, dislikes, or doesn't want to do things that take a lot of mental effort for a long period of time (such as schoolwork or homework).

Often loses things needed for tasks and activities (e.g. toys, school assignments, pencils, books, or tools).

Is often easily distracted.

Is often forgetful in daily activities.

Six or more of the following symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity have been present for at least 6 months to an extent that is disruptive and inappropriate for developmental level:

Hyperactivity

Often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat.

Often gets up from seat when remaining in seat is expected.

Often runs about or climbs when and where it is not appropriate (adolescents or adults may feel very restless).

Often has trouble playing or enjoying leisure activities quietly.

Is often "on the go" or often acts as if "driven by a motor".

Often talks excessively.

Impulsivity

Often blurts out answers before questions have been finished.

Often has trouble waiting one's turn.

Often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations or games).

Some symptoms that cause impairment were present before age 7 years.

Some impairment from the symptoms is present in two or more settings (e.g. at school/work and at home).

There must be clear evidence of significant impairment in social, school, or work functioning.

The symptoms do not happen only during the course of a Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Schizophrenia, or other Psychotic Disorder. The symptoms are not better accounted for by another mental disorder (e.g. Mood Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, Dissociative Disorder, or a Personality Disorder).

Based on these criteria, three types of ADHD are identified:

ADHD, Combined Type: if both criteria 1A and 1B are met for the past 6 months

ADHD, Predominantly Inattentive Type: if criterion 1A is met but criterion 1B is not met for the past six months

ADHD, Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type: if Criterion 1B is met but Criterion 1A is not met for the past six months.

American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision. Washington, DC, American Psychiatric Association, 2000.


credit:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/symptom.htm

I don't know how old a kid need's to be to get ADHD.. but hope that infor above helps.

I'm not a mom...but I worked with kids who have ADHD/ADD/Autism/etc...

All 4 year olds have ADHD...LOL

It's really too soon to tell, but if you're concerned have your primary care physician refer you to a behavior speccialist. They might be able to give you some tips on how to work with your child on diverting their lack of attention, etc.

Good luck.

Do you know what ADHD stands for?....

....

......

Wanna go ride bikes?

yeah I was thinking its just a 4 year old thing... I always thought adhd was just a excuse for kids who are wild. Thinking its more of the doctors laziness, I don't know could be wrong..

my son is adhd, but we didnt pick up on til he was 6 cuz he's also partially deaf.

at sweetgeorge...
no I don't want to ride bikes.. do you want some ice cream ???

Of course I want some ice cream!

go to internet, and www.google.com. type in adhd and see what it pulls up.

hmmmm ice cream, i got some double fudge brownie ice cream calling my name. thanks for reminding me!!!

Hey, there's a chicken!

4 is too early to tell for ADHD. Watch him and talk to your pedicatrician.

its never too early to tell if that's what they have. like my nephew, he has an anger disorder and he's only 1 and a half.

as for having adhd, or add... there are many signs of it. one of which is not being able to sit still for more than a minute, but we are talking about a 4 year old... your best bet would be to consult your pediatrician.

Both of my boys had ADHD...I knew really early when my youngest one had it because I knew what to look for. My oldest son who is now 19, he is now just ADD....he outgrew the hyper part. My 12 year old is the poster child for ADHD!!!
Neither one of my boys have ever slept all night long!! I am use to it now and this is probably why I don't sleep...LOL
I can tell you what the drs will do is test your child and then send you to another doctor....this way, they will have 2 doctors backing it up saying that your child is ADHD.
Good luck and get ready for some wild times

hey, Best thing you could probably do for your child is take him/her to a psychiatrist. No insurance that I know of makes you go thru ur primary care doctor or pediatrician for a referral, because psychiatry is confidential. There is a stigma going into Psychiatry, but that is where the child gets diagnosed.
When the child gets into school, your psychiatrist can give you what is Called a "Conners Test". You may be able to google that online. What that test basically is, is a gauge for the psychiatrist to see from many different standpoints where the child is in many areas, that would be difficult to articulate/or explain otherwise. The parent gets a questionaire, and three different teachers typically get a packet, which is pretty complex in regards to the child. If the child is able to comprehend the packet, (if old enuf) they fill one out themselves. Yes they evaluate themselves. All the packets are put together and the psychiatrist thoroughly goes over them, as well gets together and spends time with you and the child. Keep in mind psychiatrist evaluate and decide if meds are needed, psycho therapist will probably meet with the child as part of the "therapy" to help with the evaluation.

Please be leary of any doctor that rushes to medicate ur child. Take time and educate yourself.
Check webmd.com .. Attention Deficit hyperactivity disorder.

I dont know what health coverage you have. But you can sign up for all types of classes through whoever your group is..
Good luck!!

at the age of four, most children show some signs that are typically seen as being ADHD, boys even more so. most psychologists/doctors/psychiatrists like to wait until the child is at least in school before diagnosing such, to allow them to get past the precociousness of this age.

report all concerns to the pediatrician, of course...but unless he/she's very severe, i wouldn't personally consider medical treatment until in school.

i had ADHD growing up and i had no idea what it was... then they tried to give me meds... then i didn't like it... then i went crazy in high school... i turned out great growing up and did not know what the big deal was... i noticed that my daughter has it, but since i knew what i wish would of happened. my daughter and i have a great relationship and she's doing great in school and sports/cheer/everything... and she does all the sports i did... i just show her so much love and understanding and patience, and ADHD kinda goes away...

My four year old son has severe adhd. This has been verified by three therapists and a psychiatrist. No, they (themedical team) generally do not like to diagnose any child under the age of 6 or 7 with adhd, but if the symptoms are there they will do so.
One majot issue as someone brought up withher sons is a lack of being able to sleep well. This is a major issue for my son as well. He sleeps MAYBE 8 hours a night and is up several tiems throughout. He also has a very bad comulsive issue, which also creates issues of stealing.
Now, there are very few meds that a child under five can be prescribed, nad veen less that insurance will cover. normally insurance will not cover meds until the child isike 6 or 7.

I personally reccomen you look inot a good therapist to work with your child, then you work with both the therapist and your child as well, and you and the therapist will be able to decide what the best thing to do is.

i was 5 when the docters told my parents i was adhd

My sons teacher tried to evaluate him as Quote ADD or ADHD. I told her when she got her MD she could tell me that.
I refused to medicate him because he was ACTIVE...
I was dedicated to consistant parenting. It took more effort on my part but I am glad I followed my heart. My sisters child has been medicated for years and is now suffering health problems due to it.
Im sure there are cases that DO need medication I am not discounting that by any means. But sometimes Just plain good old fashioned discipline on the parents part can make a huge difference on a childs discipline as well.
All children should have alot of energy if they didnt I would be concerned. Todays society seems to want to medicate everything.Use to be you went to the Dr and HE told you what was wrong with you, Nowadays you go in and tell him about some problem diagnosed by a tv commercial and they write you a prescription.
Hmmmmm-

Well after following the disipline and and going to the school every two minutes mine is on medication.I of course monitor him and doses are adjusted.Medicine was my last resort but I;m glad I did it.My son was diagnosed by 2psychologists and a dr.Lets not insult parents because they choose medicine greeneyed.glad it worked for you but it didnt for me.