Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and preschool-age children

Inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity are all behavioral traits of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) that also are normal behaviors for preschool children. In addition, daily behavior changes frequently in this age group, making it difficult to establish a pattern.

However, very young children with ADHD generally have behaviors that are extreme and much more exaggerated than those of other children the same age.

Preschool children diagnosed with ADHD are not usually treated with medication because they are more likely to experience side effects. Parent training in techniques to improve a child's behavior is usually tried first, except in extreme cases or unusual circumstances. Whether preschool-age children should receive medication is somewhat controversial, because it has not been studied. However, the ongoing Preschool ADHD Treatment Study (PATS) is exploring whether the stimulant medication methylphenidate is safe for preschool-age children.