Ask The Expert | ADHD in Children: Understanding the Early Signs Parents Overlook

My husband and I both work, so our 2.5-year-old is usually at home with my mum during the day. I normally spend time with him in the mornings and after work (I’m usually home by around 6pm). What can I do during the limited time I have with him to maximise his development, especially his language and communication skills? He has quite a large vocabulary and can say many words, but he doesn’t always respond when we ask him questions. He also tends to say things randomly or bring up things he remembers from a while ago. Is this something we should be concerned about, and what activities or interactions would you recommend we focus on at home? Thanks!

HIi! My daughter is not particularly hyperactive, but she can be quite dreamy, forgetful and easily distracted... For example, she may start getting ready to go out but get distracted by a small thing along the way and forget what she was supposed to do. This happens quite often with simple everyday tasks. I’ve also noticed that when I ask her a question, she sometimes seems hesitant to answer and then suddenly changes the subject or starts talking about something completely unrelated. It’s not that she doesn’t have the vocabulary, she can actually express herself quite well in other situations. SHould I be worried...??

Hi... My child was introduced to screens from around 1 year old. I try to keep the screen time moderate, although I’m not always sure what the appropriate amount is for their age. They sometimes watch cartoons, but we also use screens for things like toddler yoga and other activities. Could screen exposure, sleep, or the amount of stimulation a child receives have an impact on their attention, behaviour or ability to regulate themselves? And how can parents tell whether certain behaviours are simply related to their environment and daily habits, rather than something that may need further assessment?

Hi Kenny, if my child is diagnosed with ADHD, how might this affect their schooling and the kind of support they can receive in Singapore? More importantly, how can parents make sure their child continues to develop and thrive despite the diagnosis, rather than feeling defined or limited by it? Are there things we should be doing at home from an early age to help them build confidence, independence and the skills they need for school?

my 3 yo can speak lots of words… but still struggling to converse. as simple as a question “what did you eat?” he doesnt answer… he only speak what he wants to speak. also easily distracted. is it adhd? 😞

Hi, Kenny... My child can focus for a long time when playing with things he likes, but loses interest very quickly during preschool activities. Can we actually train and aim for longer focus? He's 3 now...

My child often struggles to follow instructions and stay focused. How can I know when it’s just part of growing up and when I should speak to a professional?

My child is always forgetting instructions, even simple ones like putting on shoes or packing her bag. Is this normal for 4 yo? SHould I check for ADHD?

With three children at home, it can be hard to tell what’s normal behaviour. What ADHD signs should I be looking out for in my child?

How can I recognise early signs of ADHD that I might easily mistake for being “naughty” or “difficult”?