how can i tell if my son has got adhd or if he's just very energetic, help

Jodi - posted on 02/28/2010

Ladies, thank you all for your input.

Jodi Adams
WtCom Moderator

LaKisha - posted on 02/28/2010

My son Tyler is 3 and he is the same way. But if you can find the things he's interested in then he will probly calm down. If he likes to read.... do it together. My son likes to play with me and not by his self. If I play with him when he wants to build a castle out of blocks, he concentrates on what we are doing. It's probly to soon to tell if he does or doesnt have adhd. I used to think mine did too. You just have to control the situation and find something that stimulates his mind.

Renee - posted on 02/28/2010

What your describing is normal 2 1/2 year old behavior. He hasn't developed the ability to focus for long periods of time. Don't be concerned that he isn't sitting long.Let him exert some of that energy.Tryng to make him will only frustrate him and you.

Linda - posted on 02/27/2010

He is a typical two year old. Let him be a child, that is what children do "go until their battery runs out". If he is still that way when he starts school then have him tested. I agree with Jamie Rolan give him something structured to do once or twice a day.



Linda C.

Sue - posted on 02/27/2010

My son was like that. We couldn't take him to story time. We tried to take him to a Gymboree class, but he didn't want to sit in the circle and do what the other kids did. We joked that he had adhd, but it turns out we had him diagnosed at age three. Talk to your doctor, they should be able to point you to where you can have an evaluation to find out. We had ours done at the childrens development unit at the local Children's hospital.

Sue - posted on 02/27/2010

My son was like that. We couldn't take him to story time. We tried to take him to a Gymboree class, but he didn't want to sit in the circle and do what the other kids did. We joked that he had adhd, but it turns out we had him diagnosed at age three. Talk to your doctor, they should be able to point you to where you can have an evaluation to find out. We had ours done at the childrens development unit at the local Children's hospital.

Sandra - posted on 02/26/2010

my son will be 3 in may.. I swear he hit his terrible 2 @ 9 months when he started walking. He had a severe speech and communication delay where he need to attend a program #irth to 3. He was there fr alittle over a year and now talks as if he is a grown man. He has always been hyper active and was never able to sit still even to eat his dinner. Now in combination with that he is becoming aggressive so @ this point I don't know what to think... ADHD or AUTISM..????? I just don't know but the doctors seem to say it too early to detect an issue.

Ridwana - posted on 02/26/2010

This is normal for little boys of that age .I have one exactly the same .He listens to the music at story group,but not interested in sitting still .at this age,there's a world that needs exploring and some boys can't be sitting through it all .Don't worry as long as he's happy and alert .

Angie - posted on 02/26/2010

I think you have gotten pretty good advice, but I wanted to share my story with you. My son is just about 6 yrs old and is in Kindergarten. I suspected that he may have a neurological disorder since he was about 3-4 yrs old as I am a special education teacher. He wasn't anymore active than any other 2 yr old, but he was very disinterested in sit down learning activities. He did like painting as most kids do, but books... forget about it. When Jack was 3 he would not even draw lines and refused to color, cut or assist in projects but he is very physically active. He started talking very early and has a wild imagination. Sometimes he comments on a conversation that we had hours, days, even weeks prior. In other words, he is a mind wonderer! lol Anyway, turned out he needed glasses and probably disliked books because he can't see! I notice that at home, Jack can engage in physical activities and active video games for a reasonable amount of time, but if his mind is not in contant motion, he can't sit still. At dinner, he eats quickly and/or he will be all over the chair (often falling out of his seat b/c he won't sit still). He is now in Kindergarten and his teacherrs have said that his mind wonders and he is figity, especially during circle time activities. He doesn't complete routines and has a hard time staying on task. She suggested that he may be ADHD but not to rush to the doctor. I will get him to a neurologists if his 1st grade teachers suspect the same, but for now, he is not a behavior problem, he has learned to read and has no problem keeping up with his peers. However, I keep close contact with his teachers and we make accommodations when needed (extra time to complete tasks, break down into simpler steps...etc). I just don't want my son to be drugged for his entire life if we are able to help manage it otherwise.

Your son is only 2, take it easy and one step at a time. You will know if he is developing normally for him and when he is in school, you will have more support if there is a problem.

Angie - posted on 02/26/2010

I think you have gotten pretty good advice, but I wanted to share my story with you. My son is just about 6 yrs old and is in Kindergarten. I suspected that he may have a neurological disorder since he was about 3-4 yrs old as I am a special education teacher. He wasn't anymore active than any other 2 yr old, but he was very disinterested in sit down learning activities. He did like painting as most kids do, but books... forget about it. When Jack was 3 he would not even draw lines and refused to color, cut or assist in projects but he is very physically active. He started talking very early and has a wild imagination. Sometimes he comments on a conversation that we had hours, days, even weeks prior. In other words, he is a mind wonderer! lol Anyway, turned out he needed glasses and probably disliked books because he can't see! I notice that at home, Jack can engage in physical activities and active video games for a reasonable amount of time, but if his mind is not in contant motion, he can't sit still. At dinner, he eats quickly and/or he will be all over the chair (often falling out of his seat b/c he won't sit still). He is now in Kindergarten and his teacherrs have said that his mind wonders and he is figity, especially during circle time activities. He doesn't complete routines and has a hard time staying on task. She suggested that he may be ADHD but not to rush to the doctor. I will get him to a neurologists if his 1st grade teachers suspect the same, but for now, he is not a behavior problem, he has learned to read and has no problem keeping up with his peers. However, I keep close contact with his teachers and we make accommodations when needed (extra time to complete tasks, break down into simpler steps...etc). I just don't want my son to be drugged for his entire life if we are able to help manage it otherwise.

Your son is only 2, take it easy and one step at a time. You will know if he is developing normally for him and when he is in school, you will have more support if there is a problem.

Kelley - posted on 02/26/2010

Yes Laura he is being a normal 2 yr. old. Most children have a tremendous amount of energy! He will learn as time goes on how to be and act in certain situations.

Michele - posted on 02/25/2010

I have a 4 year old who I think has the same thing, but they will never formally diagnose it until age 6. I wound up having him tested thru the school district and he is now receiving therapies in school and at home and he seems to be doing so much better. i would just keep an eye on him but at that age, it just sounds to me like a "boy" I hope it helps./

Faith - posted on 02/25/2010

I took my son to his pediatrician and told what I observed my son doing and how he was behaving .

Cynthia - posted on 02/25/2010

Highlights childrens magazine (an American pulication)if its still around publishes a book about childrens learning styles it sounds as if your child may be a kinetic learner needing to be in motion to learn and explore his enviroment. Over time even a kinetic learner will eventually learn to settle down they may never be still (my eldest daughter couldn't sit still for love nor money, well maybe for hugs, ), You might try more active activities like mother and child swims, or going to the playground, or childrens indoor playground society which is very popular with those of is living in cold northern communities. But he sounds about right for the length of time in a given activity. My kids could only stand to sit and listen to stories at bedtime with the room darkened slightly. Time appropriate is as important as age appropriate activities.

Kristin - posted on 02/25/2010

Your son is just fine. Don't worry unless these behaviours continue into preschool and kindergarten. If he has difficulty after entering a more school like situation, then consult with your child's doctor and maybe get a referal to a qualified child psychiatrist.



My youngest is right there in the same age group. He still gets up when he is done with something. I try to give him routine fo the whole day and brief activitiesthroughout. He gets lots of time to just be physical (boys have to burn of crazy loads of energy), and I kind of let him choose how long he does something. What they are learning through this, aside from just explorin boundaries of yours, is something called executive order. He is also learning from you how to manage his time and, while it may not seem like it, his attention span is growing. Good luck.

Charlene - posted on 02/25/2010

Wow you can get your to paint for 15 minutes or dance for 20 mine is a 30 second kinda kid. Goes with the territory. It was only when he hit about 2 1/2 that he could sit through a whole story book. Slowly getting more attention span. Enjoy it :)

Elizabeth - posted on 02/25/2010

I know that is normal for little boys. I have a 7 Yr old and a 3 Yr old. A doctor would tell you that it's very normal for a child under the age of 6 to have this kind of issues. My seven year old had the same thing. His kindergarden teacher even suggested for him to get evaluated and even medicated. Once the summer came and went his 1st grade teacher asked if i had gotten him medicated because he was nothing like his kindergarden teacher described. He's an angel now, he loves to read. So dont worry about it : )

Corrinne - posted on 02/25/2010

I would say he is a normal 2 year old. Doing something for 10 to 20 mins is good for a 2 year old. As a preschool teacher I taught mostly 4 year olds and all my lesson plans were no longer than 30 to 40 minutes. The schools won't test him until he starts school but you can ask your doctor. Mine evaluated my son and from 3rd to 5th he was on medication to help with AD. Now, he is in 9th and doing fine with no medication.

Tifney - posted on 02/25/2010

At that age it is normal. Most children have an attention span of about 8 sec and most adults have an attention span of 15 sec. So to say he has it is to soon to tell. I would only be concerned if he is angry and so aggresive that he can not be with other children. Does he have any one to play with? Have him just run & run & run untill he is tired and do not give him alot of sugar or junk food. That will also make him hyper.

Paula - posted on 02/25/2010

one thing as our children get older they should be made responsible for their own intertainment, not the mom being the entertainer all the time. when they say I am bored, well what are you gonna do about it is what we should ask them. It is all a learning process and we are to work ourselves out of a job as a parent. Remind myself of that.

Denice - posted on 02/25/2010

I work in special education and see all types of adhd. From what you are describing, and this is just my insights..not a professional diagnose, I think he is just a really active little guy. At 2 1/2 it really hard to keep kids attention and he's dancing for 20 minutes or painting for 10 that's pretty normal. ADHD isn't usually diagnosed until around school age. Just keep doing what you are doing and try to extend his time by a minute or two on each activity and soon you will see you little one attention span increase. Best Wishes Denice

Lyndsey - posted on 02/25/2010

i wouldnt worry about it at this point. It's way too early for that. when he starts going to preschool and has they same problem then I would start questioning.

Amy - posted on 02/25/2010

I also think it is too early to think about ADHD. My son, who is now 10, was exactly the same way. But, when he was 5 he was diagnosed with ADHD. When he is not on his medication he absolutely impossible. So, I know that the doctor was right. At the age of two there isn't much that they can do to help. The medications can't be given to a child of that age. At the age of two it is also very normal for kids to act that way.

Crissey - posted on 02/24/2010

Hi Laura,

My son is now 19...your post reminds me of him at 2 1/2 years old....I'd go to the park with a group of moms and while all the other little boys would sit and eat their snacks, my son would run off....at home, he rarely sat and played with a toy for more than a couple minutes...relatives (when he was 2, 3, up to 5 yrs old ) would say "do you think he's hyperactive?" I had nothing to compare him to since he was my first born. Long story short....He is very intelligent, a "hands on" kind of person, HAS to be doing something physical most of the time but has never been diagnosed with ADHD. Graduated from high school with a B average...(honestly though...with our prodding...he hated being in a classroom environment...too much paperwork) My second son (born 5 years later) would sit and play for a long time....and was a model student in elementary school. I now have a comparison. Wait it out...try to "channel" his energy. (fyi --- our pediatrician said you can't diagnose a child with ADHD until at least 5 yrs old...I asked him this as my son, then 18 months old, was climbing up the seat onto the window sill in the doctor's office) The only thing my first born would sit still for at 2 years old was story time. As a result, he is very strong in language arts. (but doesn't sit around reading...he is always on the go doing something physical) When my son was 18 months old I felt like I was going to have a nervous break down...he wouldn't sleep and was constantly on the go..I couldn't keep up with him. By age 5 he calmed down -- a lot --- hang in there and give him a million DIFFERENT things to keep his attention. Keep him out of full-time daycare if you can...they would channel his energy the way a loving mom will...hope this helps. p.s. This photo is of the two of us..the day he graduated from high school...with plans to become a fireman. (now a slight "detour" while he does some cowboy work...always something physical.

Anea - posted on 02/24/2010

Sounds to me like a normal boy. My son couldn't sit still either. Having taught I learned about differant learning styls identified at a young age. Your son seems more energenic because he may be a kinetic learner. This means he learns quickly because he learns while moving. He needs many challenges to keep his need for learning satisified. Preschool isn't enough to make him happy... offer him toys and learning tools for kindergarden. If you are really concerned how is he sleeping? Is he sleeping very soundly and short? then up and running? This my son dealt with also and was a sleep disorder that was easily dealt with. Side effects of this sleep disorder were ADHD like symptoms on top of being a kinetic learner. According to the sleep disorder clinic in Illinoi too many kids have the sleep issue and are diagnosed with ADHD or ADD and the meds messes them up more. You can google the symptoms in regards to sleep issues and look it up for yourself. If he just has natural energy ... you do want to limit his sugar and caffein intake. This made a big change in both of my kids. Hope this helps.

Angel - posted on 02/24/2010

limit how much sugar you give him. It is much to early to get a diagnosis of ADHD and alot of drs are to eager to pass out drugs these days. Have you ever tried putting him in a group setting w/o you present. Some kids do better in a structure setting w/o having mom or dad there with them. I would try a community play group for a couple days a week that is only an hour or two long. usually alot of city park disricts offer these types of groups at a reasonable rate. and some churches have toddler classes where you can pick a couple days a week for 4 hours and then you get a lil break

Lydia - posted on 02/24/2010

Hi Laura. I have a 4 yr old daughter who just got diagnosed with ADD and ADHD. She has never been able to focus on anything for any length of time. Even the things that she loves doing could not hold her attention. Because she is going to be starting school in the fall we got her evaluated and she was diagnosed with both. She has started on some meds which have slowed her down just enough to allow her to concentrate and focus, but not turned her into a zombie. She is still very active all day long but now her days go alot smoother than before. Right now I wouldn't worry about your son having ADHD. He sounds like just a very active little boy who has a lot of extra energy to burn. My youngest daughter is like your son. She is very active but she will sit still for a few minutes before getting up and going to find something to do. She is also 2 yrs old and I'm not concerned about her having the same problem as her sister. She is acting like a normal 2 yr old in my opinion.

Shannon - posted on 02/24/2010

howdy, well that was my son. he is 10 now and still doesnt sit still for long by he has come a long way. i have some simple ideas that will help. dont label him. also put him on a high protein diet and complex carbs, keep him off junk. If you keep his sugar level stable he will not have super highs and super lows. sounds very normal to me.

Rachael - posted on 02/24/2010

He is definitely normal! Normally, doctors will not even try and diagnose a child as having it until they are in 1st grade and usually ability to focus and finish schoolwork is a huge indicator at that point.

Sheila - posted on 02/24/2010

He sounds like my son - perfectly normal, highly energetic and keeps you on your toes. I agree with the gal below that it's too early to tell. You'll know later on when he gets into preschool if he can focus on activities that are interesting to him.

Briana - posted on 02/24/2010

Kids are very active at that age.I agree with Jamie as far as giving him some kind of structure for at least 5 mins but make sure he knows that this is not a time out. Also try to act silly with him to tire him out faster. Or try to color a picture with him for 5 mins.

Theresa - posted on 02/24/2010

For now, at age 2, I say just enjoy your child and don't analyze. If the question is still nibbling at your ear when school starts, go with your instinct and hit the ground running. Educate yourself, use the support of professions, and filter out what is best for you and your child. My ADHD twins are now 15 and, even for twins, what works for one doesn't always work for the other. hang in there!

Jamie - posted on 02/24/2010

i have an eight year old daughter who has ADHD and I knew she had it since she was about two. I know that the biggest thing I find is that when she is asked why she did something that she knew she wasnt suppose to do she replies " I don't know " and it is a truthfull response. she is not able to follow directions when given more than one task at a time. here is a couple things to know: they hesitate to do anything for a child with ADHD untill they enter kindergarden and you will find that people are against getting medication for your child. For me and my daughter the medication is the reason she is able to cope with school and enjoy it without constantly being in trouble for things that she cannot help. Imagine trying to go through ur daily life unable to concentrate and focus on the things that you need to get done, constantly forgeting important things and leaving items half completed

Tammie - posted on 02/24/2010

You won't really be able to tell if he has adhd until he's in school. If he can't complete assignments, can't stay in his seat and wonders around the room, impulsive behavior.

We started knowing something was wrong when our son was in first grade. We then saw his pediatrician and then a child psychologist. We have a son that has add/adhd. He's a brilliant kid,talented and sweet. Adhd is not the end of the world, but you really can't know it's that until he's in a classroom setting. Good luck with your little one and his energy. I'm here if you ever have any questions. It's been a journey for us. Our son will turn 8 on March 9th.

Tammie - posted on 02/24/2010

You won't really be able to tell if he has adhd until he's in school. If he can't complete assignments, can't stay in his seat and wonders around the room, impulsive behavior.

We started knowing something was wrong when our son was in first grade. We then saw his pediatrician and then a child psychologist. We have a son that has add/adhd. He's a brilliant kid,talented and sweet. Adhd is not the end of the world, but you really can't know it's that until he's in a classroom setting. Good luck with your little one and his energy. I'm here if you ever have any questions. It's been a journey for us. Our son will turn 8 on March 9th.

K.C. - posted on 02/24/2010

Boys naturally have alot of energy and dont sit still like girls do. If you are really concerned go with your gut and get early intervention at you county Intermediate Unit.

Jodi - posted on 02/24/2010

I wouldn't worry about ADHD/ADD at this stage of the game. He is a young energetic boy. Wait until he is school aged to start worrying about things like that. If you are that concerned than you should take him to a doctor to get a proper diagnoses.

PHylis - posted on 02/24/2010

Sounds like a normal 2 1/2 year old!! If he can paint for 10-15 minutes, that's pretty good for under 3. The attention span is about 5 minutes. And sitting still doing nothing is not something a pre-schooler should be expected to do. Take activities with you -- to the doctor, etc. Anywhere he might have to sit.



It might help a bit to limit TV, and to limit sugar and eliminate dyes from his food. It's hard these days, but even lessening it a bit could help.

Donna - posted on 02/24/2010

My 12 year old son has ADHD and Higher Functioning ASD. He was diagnosed with ADHD when he was 4. Having had a baby before him it was very obvious that something was not quite right. He was hyperactive ALL the time, impulsive and had the attention span of a sparrow. Having a new born baby is hard - u get very little sleep as they can wake many times - my son did this until he was nearly five. Now he still gets up and is raring 2 go at stupid o clock in the morning!! and in the process wakes his 2 brothers who share a room with him. He used to have moments where he would run away from me and disappear from sight and still does.I cannot let him out to play on his own as he wanders off and it wouldn't be the first time he was brought back to me by a complete stranger or even the police. He still have behavioural difficulties and doesn't have any friends - he is constantly bullied at school and taunted by other kids who belive he is an idiot and crazy.I think ADHD is far more than a child who is hyperactive and i suspect that u have a very normal healthy energetic and lively child. Do by all means go c ur health visitor who can refer you if necessary if u r truly worried -but remember boys do have a tendancy to be a little livelier than girls. I hope u find the ansa u r looking for and wish u all the best

Laura - posted on 02/24/2010

This is not normal for a child to hurt themselves this badly. It sounds like she has a deficency in her system or her metals are too high. You need to check her diet and see if she is reacting with certain things. It also is getting quite a reaction from you when she does this, I wonder if she would continue if you just left her, I know it would be hard if she is really hurting herself. She might be in pain, children don't know how to react to different things going on in her body. Get her blood tested and and metals, see if she is deficient in something. It could be a simple as taking out dairy and gluten.

Laura P. ( this was for the mom who had the daughter that was hurting herself and the parent).

Laura - posted on 02/24/2010

Hi Laura,

This sounds like really normal active behavior for a boy that age. Boys will be boys is and appropriate saying. If you are concerned that it might just be too much, try taking out the artificial colors and candy like snacks in his diet. Eg. fruit snacks. You can also try cutting down on juice or water it down. Stick to natural snacks like real fruit.

We had a son just like yours, we quickly put him in soccer to direct his energy and he played all the way up till he was 17. It was a great outlet.

Watch your sons increase in energy after he eats certain things. Good luck,

Laura P.

Laura - posted on 02/24/2010

Hi Laura,

This sounds like really normal active behavior for a boy that age. Boys will be boys is and appropriate saying. If you are concerned that it might just be too much, try taking out the artificial colors and candy like snacks in his diet. Eg. fruit snacks. You can also try cutting down on juice or water it down. Stick to natural snacks like real fruit.

We had a son just like yours, we quickly put him in soccer to direct his energy and he played all the way up till he was 17. It was a great outlet.

Watch your sons increase in energy after he eats certain things. Good luck,

Laura P.

Maggie - posted on 02/24/2010

its 2 early 2 worry about him yet , i have 2 kids with adhd and its not easy

Katie - posted on 02/24/2010

Watch his diet. Stay away from food coloring (especially red but blue and yellow can be bad too). See if that helps any.

Shari - posted on 02/24/2010

It's an age thing. My son was the same way. He is now 5 and has improved tremendously. I recently asked our pediatrician if he could be ADHD b/c he still has attention issues. She told me that rarely do they diagnose until about 7 years old and that boys especially are immature and super-charged. I hope this eases some of your anxiety

Joanne - posted on 02/24/2010

my little girl is 18 months she is always on the go.

about 4months ago she started having bad moods. where she would scratched her face an till it bleed. and if i try and stop her she scratchs me and bites me.i was told to hold her from hurting herself and it just makes her more angry and hurts me

some times she can just go in to one out of the blue.but the rest of the time she is a really happy little girl.

Elizabeth - posted on 02/24/2010

Another thing--I have read several moms saying "boys are more hyper than girls" --but every child is unique. My 2-1/2 y.o. son is the opposite, not as physically active as other kids, but at 1.5 would sit quietly and look at his books for a good 20 minutes. (He has been read 5 or 6 books a day minimum since age 1.) By age 2 he would get up and play with his trains for a solid couple of hours, making up stories about the characters, building tunnels for them with his blocks, etc. He is also spookily well-behaved in restaurants and social events. But, despite the fact that he gets a ton of outside play time, he is more interested in going for a walk/run than in climbing and jumping and as a result is not as physically coordinated as some other kids his age. Every child is different, they are all going to work on different skills on their own schedule.

Patricia - posted on 02/24/2010

ps their is no brain scan or other test of this kind that can tell you yes they are adhd, your doctor will ask you some general questions and may require a statement from a teacher or other caregiver that this child seems overly hyper and then they give them pills which in my sons case (and he was on the lowest dose they could give) made him so sleepy that he would crash right after school, and not wake up till the next morning, and of course we tried the wake him for supper and bathes and homework but he could not function, after sereval changes in meds. I finally decided to pull him off completly and did tons of reseach on other methods to deal with adhd, and now he is 12 yrs old scored 1175 on SAT's yes SAT's for college. dont give in to the medicine hype right other ways they almost always work out better.

Michelle - posted on 02/24/2010

BY THE WAY I WAS DIAGNOSED AT AGE 4 AND I'M NEARLY 44 NOW. BACK WHEN I WAS DIAGNOSED IT WAS CALLED HYPERKENETIC. NOW KNOWN AS ADD OR ADHD.

Michelle - posted on 02/24/2010

GO TO YOUR DOCTOR TO SEE IF HE/SHE CAN SET UP SOME TESTING AT A DEVELOPMENTAL ACCESS GROUP TO GET HIM TESTED. IF NOT SEE IF ANY SCHOOLS IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD CAN TEST HIM!! GOOD LUCK!! LET ME KNOW IF YOU GET ANYWHERE WITH MY INFORMATION THE EMAIL ADDY IS msgmaniac@hotmail.com, WRITE TO ME AND I MAY BE ABLE TO HELP YOU!! BEEN THERE DONE THAT WITH MY 10 YEAR DAUGHTER BECAUSE HER FATHER AND I HAVE BOTH FORMS OF ADD AND ADHD. THANKS AND AGAIN GOOD LUCK!!