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

Hi Mummy, thanks for your question, I can feel how stressful it is for you - managing meltdowns while feeling paiseh outside is no small thing. And the fact that you're still bringing him out, still trying to figure out what works - that already shows how much you care about your boy. Some kids do go through a strong reaction phase when they hear "no", but if it's happening often and making daily life feel hard, it’s okay to get support. Getting him checked isn’t saying something’s wrong - it just mean you care enough to understand him better. That’s not weakness, that’s smart. Is he mirroring your family members? If your spouse or family members are showing anger often, your son will pick up these emotions and learn similar behaviors. Maybe you can bring your spouse along for a consultation.

Hi Sabrina, thanks for your question. You are not overthinking - most of our clients are mums who have great instincts. At 28 months, some signs may show up early if the ADHD isn't mild , but a psychologist can help you understand what’s within the range of normal and what might need extra support. Remember, ADHD is not a flaw; it can seem scary because it feels more challenging to parent children with ADHD. But early diagnosis and intervention makes the parenting efforts lighter as your son gets older. Thanks for being curious in your son, you are not alone in this!

Hi Cassandra, thanks for your question, I understand your worry, especially with your baby arriving soon. ADHD can run in families, so if someone had it as a child, there’s a higher chance, but it’s not a given. ADHD can also be acquired along the way. What matters more is setting up a calm and responsive environment in the early years – sleep, diet, minimal screen time, and routines make a huge difference in brain development. You’re already thinking ahead, and that’s the best gift you can give your child. Remember, ADHD itself isn't a flaw or ""scary"". It just feels more challenging to parent children with ADHD, but early diagnosis, intervention and changes in home environment makes the parenting efforts lighter. You are already doing very well preparing for your baby!

Hi Mummy, thanks for your question. ADHD isn’t diagnosed just because a child has ""extreme behaviors"". A proper diagnosis takes time - we look at behavior across different settings (home, school), over a period of time, and only if it’s truly affecting the child’s ability to learn, focus or connect. It’s not based on one tantrum or one noisy classroom. And yes - a lot of adults relate to ADHD traits online, but unless it’s formally assessed by a trained psychologist or doctor, it’s just a guess. So to avoid over-diagnosing, we stick to structured assessments, detailed observations, and input from people who know the child well. Remember, all kids want to do well if you give them the right environment to do so - even ADHD kids!

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!

Huda, thanks for your question, you’re not overthinking - most of our clients are mums who have great instincts. Active kids can still pause when needed - like during storytime, meals, or sleep. Hyperactive kids often can’t slow down even when it’s quiet time. They may climb, fidget, talk, or move non-stop, and it starts to affect routines or safety. If you feel like she’s constantly “on” and it’s making day-to-day life harder, it’s okay to ask for a professional view - not to label, but to understand what’s really going on.

Hi Lydia, you’re not alone. Sometimes, parents rely on the iPad for a breather, especially when going out. The short answer is: no, screen time does not cause ADHD. That’s a myth. But too much fast-paced, overstimulating screen time can make ADHD symptoms more obvious - things like restlessness, poor sleep, shorter attention spans, poorer emotional regulation. It doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong by giving your son the iPad sometimes. It’s really about balance. Occasional use with limits, especially during tough moments, is completely okay. I suggest you read and follow MOH guidance on screentime usage: https://www.moh.gov.sg/others/resources-and-statistics/guidance-on-screen-use

Hi Mummy, thanks for your question. If you feel the tiktok videos are making you more anxious than feeling understood, do consider a professional consultation instead. The ideal earliest age is between 6 and 7, but for some kids with very obvious signs, we can see them earlier (4 to 5 year old). At age 3, some restlessness and impulsiveness are still part of normal development, but if it feels like your child really can’t slow down, switches from one thing to another non-stop, and it’s affecting day-to-day routines, it’s okay to get a professional opinion. At this age, parenting support is just as important as a diagnosis. You’re doing the right thing by asking early and trusting your mummy instincts!

Hi Adeline, thanks for sharing. What you described - asking for milk then throwing it - can feel very confusing, especially when it keeps happening. Sometimes, when kids react like that, it’s not just about being “naughty” or testing limits. It could be that her senses are reacting strongly – like the taste, texture, or even temperature felt too much in that moment. This can happen in kids with sensory sensitivities, and yes, it can also show up in ADHD. But sensory processing challenges (i.e. hypersensitivity) can be mistaken as ADHD. If it’s affecting day-to-day stuff or you just feel stuck, a quick consult can give you answers and tools that make things easier. You’re doing great already by noticing and reaching out.

Hi Mummy, you're not exaggerating at all! You're being smart and thoughtful, and I'm so happy that you are so disciplined - keep it up! Screen time doesn’t cause ADHD, but too much of it, especially before age 2, will rewire the brain negatively, affecting attention, sleep, and emotional regulation. MOH has real guidance on this that you can share with your parents (i.e ""chenghu say, not i say""). At this age, your kids' brains need more face-to-face play, movement, and human interaction. So limiting screens during this stage isn’t being extreme - it’s giving their brain what it actually needs to grow well. You're doing a great job, even if the older generation doesn’t always understand why! MOH guidance on screentime usage: https://www.moh.gov.sg/others/resources-and-statistics/guidance-on-screen-use