Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder exhibit an inability to sit still or focus, but parents may be able to identify some of the signs of ADHD very early on.
Doctors say ADHD can be detected as early as age three. At that age, it usually shows as hyperactive or highly impulsive behavior.
Experts compare the attention span of a child with ADHD to a leaf blowing in the wind, constantly changing direction.
the signs become more apparent when a child starts school.
That's because it's the first time a child is required to direct his or her attention to something they may not be entirely interested in doing.
But doctors say the symptoms will really show up in the 4th grade.
"You start seeing an effect in 2nd grade, in third grade, a big effect in 4th grade when children stop learning to read and start reading to learn. Now they have to direct attention," said Mike Manos, Ph.D. of Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital.
Dr. Manos says medications are typically very effective in treating the disorder, but kids are also taught coping skills to use in the classroom.
