Is it ADHD or just an active child?

Young children are naturally busy, curious and quick to switch attention. Being very active is not, on its own, a sign of ADHD. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is diagnosed only when certain patterns are strong, lasting and causing real difficulties.

What professionals look for

• Persistence: symptoms have continued for at least six months.
• More than one setting: difficulties show up at home and also at school, preschool or with other caregivers.
• Beyond age expectations: the behaviour is clearly more than in most children of the same age.
• Impact: it affects learning, friendships, safety or family life.

Paediatric guidelines cover assessment from around age 4. In younger children, activity levels vary so much that a diagnosis is rarely appropriate.

Other things that can look like ADHD

• Not enough sleep, or poor-quality sleep.
• Hearing or vision problems.
• Language delay, when a child does not fully understand instructions.
• Stress, big changes at home, or worry.
• Very long screen time and few chances for active play.

A careful assessment considers all of these before reaching a conclusion.

What helps at any age

• A predictable daily routine with regular sleep.
• Short, clear instructions, one step at a time, given face to face.
• Plenty of active play and outdoor time.
• Noticing and praising what goes well, more often than correcting.
• Consistent responses from all caregivers.

For preschool children, guidelines recommend parent training in behaviour management as the first step, because it helps whatever the cause.

When to ask for advice

Speak with a doctor if your child’s activity, impulsiveness or inattention regularly puts them in danger, causes repeated problems at school or preschool, or makes daily life very hard for the family. Assessment involves information from parents and teachers and should be done by a qualified professional.