Stage 1: ADHD in Preschool
Could my high-energy child have ADHD?
That's a common question parents have, because nearly all preschoolers are sometimes impulsive, fidgety, cranky or inattentive, says Glen Elliott, M.D., Ph.D., chief psychiatrist and medical director at the Children's Health Council in Palo Alto, Calif., and a clinical professor at Stanford University.
Consult a pediatrician when behavioral problems actually impair a child's ability to learn, to socialize or to be safe, he advises. Signs include serious aggression, out-of-control impulsiveness – for example, children grab objects that are off-limits, can't wait their turn – or engage in physically risky behavior.
If a preschooler has ADHD, "[our] primary focus is on helping parents improve their parenting skills," Dr. Elliott adds.
One option he recommends: parent-child interaction therapy[1] (PCIT), which teaches parents how to respond to their child's behavior. During an eight-to-12-week period, parents and children play while a therapist observes behind a one-way mirror and coaches parents through an earpiece on what to say or do.
"It's good for the relationship, and both the parent and child feel better about themselves," Dr. Elliott says.
Ask your child's school or a child psychologist whether this, or similar behavioral therapy, is available in your area.
References
- ^ parent-child interaction therapy (pcit.phhp.ufl.edu)
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