How Do You Know When a Child Has ADD/ADHD?

I don't know about the add/adhd part. but boys are just more energy and need more frequent release of said energy. I have 3 boys so can contest to that. They get into mischief and bicker when they haven't moved enough!! Which is why I keep them busy. Bike riding, playing, trampoline, swimming, fishing, etc. Even though we homeschool, we stay busy or I keep them busy. And when I see trouble, I head them outside to ride for a bit to take the edge off.
There is also a website about it that I have been interested in called www.littlegiantsteps.com
It is a neural-developmentalist that runs the site and there is some stuff about ADHD etc. and non-medicinal ways to deal with it.
I would also consider that he is entering his next phase of exploring his environment and testing his boundaries. At 3 was around the time we started putting them on bikes with training wheels. We also let them dig a big, BIG, hole in the backyard. They played all kinds of games in the hole. Cars, Army men, water, war, dig to china, treasure. And when I say big, I mean big. SHovels, etc. But they always did better with directed play. Like "Go out and dig for 15 minutes" then of course that turned into an all day affair and was fun for them. OR get your Legos out the Theme is aliens, build me a ship. And before long that was an all day affair.
But personally, and this is just my opinion, I think that most kids don't have ADHD/ADD. I think that adults squash the natural tendencies in children, thinking they can sit still for to long of a time period, and poor discipline. I do believe that there is a small number of kids who do need medicinal help, but In my opinion the numbers are over-inflated and the meds are over prescribed. But again these are just my opinions and that some kids really do need medicine. Just not to the degree that teachers and parents think. But that is why we homeschool. SO I don't have to bow down to teachers and classes demands. And my children now can sit still, etc. But at 3, NO-WAY. It is their job to move and explore, but disciplined and directed. I am also big on discipline. You may want to try www.nogreaterjoy.com for my philosophy on boys and obedience.
good luck,
L.

Two out of three of my stepchildren have ADD and you can tell from an early age, I would say 4 years old is when we could tell it wasn't a phase they were going to grow out of. You have to bring up your concerns to your pediatrician because they are not with the child enough to observe symptomatic behaviors. A lot of children also will act a little differently in front of their doctor so doctors don't assume that a child who is hyper or inattentive at an office visit is always that way. From our experience, doctors are hesitant to treat younger than age 6 or 7 unless the problem is severe. Also, it is helpful to have the child experience a classroom setting and see how that goes.

Please go to Little Giant Steps! They are wonderful!

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I hope this helps!
S.

My son was officially diagnosed with ADHD about three months ago. We noticed his grades slipping dramatically and his lack of concentration on things such as homework or chores. He just could not focus on one task at a time. We inquired with his teacher and she was seeing the same things. He was also constantly moving. He tried taking karate but just could not hold a stance long enough..he would wiggle his toes, hand, look around, etc.

We, us and the teacher, filled out some screening forms from the school and saw he had a potential to be ADHD. Schools cannot officially diagnose a child with anything but can give you a guidline to go by. We then filled out more direct forms from the pediatrician and my son was off the chart for ADHD so much so that our physician recommended medication rather than behavior techniques as he really wanted to do. My son has been on medication and his grades went from failing to A-B honor roll and he is more focused when doing tasks.

We do not give him his medication unless we are going somewhere or he is in school.

If you suspect anything, consult your child's physician.

J.