Possible ADHD Worries Me

Honestly, I hope your son doesn't have ADHD and I certainly don't mean to make light of the subject. However, I have to laugh! If I had a dollar for how many of my friends w/ sons, ever asked that question about THEIR son, I'd be a rich woman!

I figured, if I was able to keep my son alive past 3 years old, I was very fortunate. It's seemed that no counter was too high of a jump, no shelf was too high of a climb! Nothing was too hard to take apart - and he could figure out every lock in the house! It was the skinniest time of my life. He was in constant motion, and so was I, chasing him! And he was such a happy kid!

He's ten and is a very good student and still in constant motion - Excellent mechanical ability and is still very happy and adventuresome. Sadly, I am no longer "skinny"!

So..yes... he sounds normal.

Dear B.,

This sounds like normal toddler behavior, though you're right for keeping an eye on it. A skilled psychiatrist or psychologist wouldn't ever label a toddler with ADHD anyway, so don't worry about that. Typically (at least in my experience), that diagnosis isn't made until at least 4, and even that's early. Are there times when you notice he is able to sustain his attention for a longer period---let's say, when using blocks or some other toy that interests him? Or, are you noticing that he's unable to focus on anything for more than a few minutes at a time?

Very normal toddler behavior. Children won't have an "attention span" until about 3 years old. Even then, it will only be for a few minutes if it's an activity you're trying to direct. At two years old they'll run from activity to activity and getting them to "sit" and "pay attention" won't happen unless they are especially interested.

With young children they won't listen to you unless they are interested. Usually they'll "focus" on something they want..and then they're off—and it may not be in the direction you want! At your son's age he's HEARING you, but he has no reason to listen. It'll take a lot of love and patience to get him to understand when you say "come here" you mean "come here."

If you're concerned about his high level of activity then enroll him in a mom and tot class so he can burn of some energy. We start our tumbling classes at 18 months, it's pretty free-form (like I said, at 18 months we don't expect them to "sit still and listen") and I'm sure you could find something similar in your area. The kids really love rolling, climbing. It helps with gross motor skills as well as starting to teach them about following directions. Plus, you'll find that almost all of the kids in the class are acting just like your son! He's normal, enjoy him at 18 months :)

I agree that this is totally normal toddler behavior. Think how stress free moms would be if we could get our kids to sit still for 5 minutes. And telling him no or don't touch only works for that one second and then he will be at it again. The fun of being a mom. Keep on eye on him but don't worry about it now. If he still has this when he is 4, then maybe consider it.

It is easy to tell you that it is normal toddler behavior. And yes, it is to an extent. My 21 month old little girl is so active, that almost every single person in my family is worried that something is off. My mother and brother (who has ADD) are both really worried that my child is ADHD. She is so far beyond "active" that it's hard to find a word for it. She NEVER sits still. Ever. Literally. The only time she's ever still is when she's asleep. It's like she is physically incapable of being completely still for more than 4-5 seconds at a time. She doesn't have the attention span for books with 25ish words, or to watch a colorful tv show for more than 3 seconds, she can't sit in a high chair without struggling and screaming the entire meal, and she can not stand straight up. She is constant motion. She's only gained 3 lbs in almost a year bc she burns all the calories she eats. And she eats like a horse. So yes, it is easy to say that it's normal. But I'm on this page for a reason aren't I?

at 18 mos, they are all active and busy. you should be concerned if they are not. attention span at this age is 10 minutes! I would not worry much until they get to be school age.

He is a boy. That's the way they are. Believe me, I know.