The Diagnosis Of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder In Preschool Children

The research shows that approximately 4.9% of preschool-aged children meet the criteria for ADHD. However, the diagnosis at this age is quite difficult because ADHD criteria describe symptoms of school-aged children. The diagnosis of ADHD in preschool is rarely investigated or described. However, an early diagnosis of ADHD and therapy can prevent short-and long-term consequences. The diagnostic difficulties at the preschool age are connected with the child's dynamic development, acquired social, behavioural and cognitive capabilities. ADHD can be diagnosed in preschool-aged children on the basis of the child's development and family interview, clinical interview including ADHD symptoms described on ICD-10 and DSM-IV-TR. An indispensable diagnostic step in ADHD is the differential diagnosis. The article emphasizes the importance of the tools which should be used during the diagnostic process. The Conners Early Childhood aids in the early identification of behavioural, social, and emotional problems for preschool children aged from 2 to 6. The CEC also assists in measuring whether or not the child is appropriately meeting major developmental milestones ( Adaptive Skills, Communication, Motor Skills, Play, and Pre-Academic/Cognitive). The Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function - Preschool (BRIEF-P) is the tool for screening, assessing, and monitoring of a young child's executive functioning and development (age from 2 to 5). The article tries to explain the difficulty of the diagnostic process in ADHD children at such a young age. Additionally, it presents some tools with which to diagnose and prescribe children at the preschool age.