🧠 Ask The Expert: ADHD Awareness – Spotting Early Signs in Kids

Did you know that many signs of ADHD can be mistaken for “just a phase”, and often go unnoticed until much later in childhood? Left unaddressed, ADHD can affect a child’s learning, confidence, and relationships, but early support can make a world of difference. This week on Ask The Expert, we’re joined by Keith Wang, Clinic Director of Bonfire Pediatrics Singapore, to help parents better understand how to spot early signs of ADHD, what’s considered typical behavior, and when it might be time to seek help. 📅 Keith will be answering selected questions on June 3, 2025 📥 Submit your questions now, and get expert answers right inside theAsianparent app! Whether you're wondering about your child’s attention span, constant movement, emotional regulation, or just not sure if something’s "normal", don’t stay in the dark. ➡️ Drop your questions today and get clarity from a trusted expert.

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hi doc... my son almost 2 years old but still cannot follow instructions properly. like always halfway do halfway stop. even simple one like "bring the ball to dada", he takes the ball from me but drop it halfway. is this something i should worry about doc??? how to stimulate?

Keith Wang

Clinic Director, Bonfire Pediatrics

1mo trước

Hi Jess, thanks for your question. At this age, toddlers are still learning how to process instructions, but by around 18 to 24 months, most kids can follow simple one-step requests like “bring the ball” or “give it to dada.” If your son regularly stops halfway or seems unsure what to do, it could be due to a few reasons - maybe he’s still figuring out the meaning of the words, maybe he’s distracted, or maybe he's not yet linking the instruction to the action. It’s not about diagnosing anything at this point, but it’s a good time to observe and support. You can help by using very short phrases, showing him what to do step by step, and praising when he completes even part of it. If things don’t improve over the next 6 months, then do consider a developmental pediatrician first for checking milestones. If the pediatrician suggests a deeper assessment, our child psychologist can help. You are not alone on this confusion!

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