Symptoms of ADHD in a Three Year Old Child

Inattentive

• An inattentive child often forgets to follow through on something he's been told to do. He needs constant re-direction in order to stay on task. If he's given a chore, he might stop before he completely follows through. He'll often look like he's daydreaming instead of focusing on what the parent or preschool teacher is trying to tell him. He might not like tasks that require time and detail work.

Hyperactive

• The hyperactive child might find it difficult to sit still for more than a few minutes at a time. He might have a hard time staying in his seat or in bed when required. He'll run off and climb or jump, even when it isn't safe. The hyperactive child might make silly noises and always seems to be making a sound of some type. He'll talk all the time and will have trouble waiting his turn to talk or answer a question. He'll often interrupt others who are talking.

Easily Distracted

• The easily distracted child might be in the middle of a project and drift away when he hears a bird call from outside. When he gets up to look out the window, he'll notice a toy in his path and will begin to play. The play is interrupted when a sibling passes by the room. The child will follow along. He'll see a snack on his way through the kitchen and will ask if he can have one, even though he was told minutes earlier that he couldn't have a snack until his project was completed. The parent will lead them back to the project where the process starts over.

Impulsive

• The impulsive child might run off from a parent without thought of safety. He'll jump from the highest parts of the jungle gym, or might climb and leap off a brick wall. He might run into the street after a ball without checking for safety issues. If the child gets angry, he might throw a toy at another child before he thinks of the consequences. He might bite, hit, or push another child down. Sometimes the impulsive child will break things in anger. He might later be remorseful, but that won't stop him from repeating the behavior the next time he's upset.

ADHD Differences between Boys and Girls

• Girls with ADHD behaviors are more often found to be inattentive whereas boys have more of a tendency toward hyperactivity. Inattentive girls show signs of distractedness by getting lost in their thoughts and daydreaming Boys are more likely to get up and wander off. They'll have a hard time staying in one place. If forced to stay in one place, the boy will flick a pencil, spin a loose knob on a chair, or kick their foot against the table leg. Most children are diagnosed soon after starting school, but some are diagnosed as early as infancy.