ABSTRACT
Like most parents of boys, we knew to expect boundless energy and lots of activity. Developmentally, many children begin acquiring the ability to inhibit behavior at 3 years and can voluntarily direct their attention to a nonpreferred task at 4 years. A cautionary factor for physicians and psychologists in diagnosing Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in preschoolers is that symptoms can mimic other conditions, such as anxiety, depression, behavioral disorders, hearing or vision problems, sensory issues, developmental delays, language processing problems, severe allergies, or lead exposure. Preschools are very different settings from home and from most daycares. Placing our son with ADHD in a preschool setting could bring additional stress to both us and our child. Sometimes preschool staff may recommend having a boy repeat a year of preschool.
