| -> | | | | that he has ADHD. Do not wait any longer. |
| You will know your child is difficult before he is two | | | | You need to seek a professional opinion for a proper |
| years old, especially if you have other children. He | | | | diagnosis. Be aware that many doctors, psychologists, |
| exhausts you. He cannot sit still, does not listen to | | | | and psychiatrists prefer to wait until a child is more |
| instructions, and gets in trouble constantly. A former | | | | than five years old to diagnose and medicate. |
| foster mother of 36 children with severe ADHD | | | | If children's behavior problems are severe, these |
| (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) said, "These | | | | medical professionals will make exceptions. Defiant |
| kids make your eyeballs tired." | | | | children need specific help to keep from developing |
| If your child has behavior problems, it is hard to know | | | | ODD (oppositional defiant disorder). |
| what to do next. You may be reluctant to get him | | | | If you observe these signs of ADHD in your child |
| assessed right away because you still have questions. | | | | before he is seven years old, start keeping a journal |
| What if he just has a lot of energy? What is normal | | | | on child behavior problems. |
| behavior anyway? | | | | Keeping a History Journal to Record Child Behavior |
| Typical Milestones of Children without Child Behavior | | | | Problems |
| Problems | | | | Start your journal when you first notice your child's |
| At three years old-he can initiate play activities and he | | | | peculiar behaviors-known clinically as his age of onset. |
| enjoys playing with other kids. | | | | This journal is more important than you can imagine. |
| At four years old-he talks and plays with his peers, | | | | Note the frequency and duration of his symptoms, |
| takes turns when playing games, cooperates in groups, | | | | including eating and sleeping habits, bruises left on |
| and helps adults when asked. | | | | siblings and peers, out-of-control incidents, and |
| At five years old-he can follow established rules and | | | | aggressive or destructive behavior. Enter the troubles |
| routines. He apologizes when he hurts others, shows | | | | he had in various settings, for example, nursery school, |
| his emotions in different situations, is helpful to his | | | | daycare, restaurants, grocery stores, and at family |
| peers, and seeks help from adults when crises occur. | | | | reunions and other social events. Document his |
| When It Is Time to Get Your Child's Assessment | | | | response to your parenting and child discipline. You will |
| If your child cannot accomplish these tasks and he is | | | | need this information for his official assessment. |
| more than five years old, there is a greater likelihood | | | | |