How do you know what "typical" 2 yo behavior is vs. "atypical"?UPDATE in 1st post

DS is into EVERYTHING and goes from one thing to another to another....however, he will sit and stay on task sometimes too.
I was told today by the eye dr. that he is very "inattentive" and he went on to tell me all about the concern with ADD, etc.
DS was born at 30 weeks....I am fully aware of all of the blocks stacked against him developmentally due to his prematurity. I am also a teacher so I am knowledgeable about ADD.

I def plan on speaking to my pediatrician (after I stop crying) and asking her what proactive steps we can take now.....but I guess my question is, how can you tell what typical 2 year old behavior is? Thanks

UPDATE: spoke to the ped who totally calmed me down and told me it was a very premature "diagnosis" based on a 5 minute dr. visit. We have a well visit next month and she said we can discuss it further. Thanks for all of your responses too. I feel much better hearing about your children, because it sounds like you are describing my child too....nothing too out of the ordinary.

Message edited 10/12/2009 7:42:39 PM.

Re: How do you know what "typical" 2 yo behavior is vs. "atypical"?

Honestly... playdates and talking to other moms.

Re: How do you know what "typical" 2 yo behavior is vs. "atypical"?

Re: How do you know what "typical" 2 yo behavior is vs. "atypical"?

DS is 27 months old. He will play with a puzzle until he finishes it - so 3 minutes. He will play with his Thomas trains are about 5-10 minutes. He will play with his Handy Manny truck a good 30-45 minutes. He can sit and watch a 30 minute tv show but will get up at about halfway through for a sippy and then return to his chair to watch the rest of the show. He will sit still for 5 board books at a time. HTH.

Re: How do you know what "typical" 2 yo behavior is vs. "atypical"?

From family, friends, reading, and just talking to other moms. As far attentiveness goes, DS is very attentive. He is only 24 months, but we've had our book reading routine since he was a baby (I don't think he was sitting up yet) and he sits and listens through good 5-6 books. Then we sit there, point out pictures etc. When he plays with his toys though, he plays with one toy for about 5-10 minutes and then moves on to another toy. He can sit through a 30 minute show with no problem.

ETA: I wouldn't worry just yet though...how is he when you engage him in an activity? I know that my son, if he is not interested in something, you can stand up on your head to get him engaged and he can just care less. Before you start labeling and getting yourself all worried and upset just give him some more time. Find out what his favorite toy or activity is and try to engage him with it for longer periods of time. Maybe it'll help.

Message edited 10/12/2009 2:57:36 PM.

Re: How do you know what "typical" 2 yo behavior is vs. "atypical"?

It's hard to say what is typical at this age. DS was evaluated for EI services for speech recently, and during one evaluation I asked the evaluator if she thought he was too inattentive since he tends to move very quickly from toy to toy and is all over the place also. She said his behavior is pretty normal for his age (22 months). If he still acts this way at 3 years, she said she would be concerned.

He can sit still and pay attention sometimes--at times he colors for several minutes or plays with his blocks. The one thing he can consistently sit still for are books, he loves looking at them and being read to.

Judging from other children his age, he seems to be on the more active end of the spectrum, though I wouldn't say he is so different.

Re: How do you know what "typical" 2 yo behavior is vs. "atypical"?

Definitely other mom's and dad's!

I can't tell you how many things my DS has said/done/acted and I thought 'is this normal'. Then I hear the SAME stories from a coworker or friend. It is VERY comforting =)

Re: How do you know what "typical" 2 yo behavior is vs. "atypical"?

I may be in the minority here, but for this dr. to suggest your son may have ADD at 2 years old is completely inappropriate. What 2 year old DOESN'T have ADD? I mean, seriously, 2 year olds are not meant to have long attention spans I'm sorry, but this dr. was so out of line. It's hard to diagnose ADD in a school aged child, let alone one meeting with a 2 year old. Please do not worry about that at this point in time. Talk to your ped, but it sounds a bit premature for this dr. to be saying that.

Re: How do you know what "typical" 2 yo behavior is vs. "atypical"?

Posted by prncsslehcar

I may be in the minority here, but for this dr. to suggest your son may have ADD at 2 years old is completely inappropriate. What 2 year old DOESN'T have ADD? I mean, seriously, 2 year olds are not meant to have long attention spans I'm sorry, but this dr. was so out of line. It's hard to diagnose ADD in a school aged child, let alone one meeting with a 2 year old. Please do not worry about that at this point in time. Talk to your ped, but it sounds a bit premature for this dr. to be saying that.

Re: How do you know what "typical" 2 yo behavior is vs. "atypical"?

Message edited 10/12/2009 3:22:41 PM.

Re: How do you know what "typical" 2 yo behavior is vs. "atypical"?

My question is, why is an EYE dr. telling you your son may have ADD?!?!?

I would't even worry about it. If you feel better talk to your ped. I think that many people are so quick to jump on the ADD band wagon. JMHO

Re: How do you know what "typical" 2 yo behavior is vs. "atypical"?

Re: How do you know what "typical" 2 yo behavior is vs. "atypical"?

I think something like this depends on the situation - in an eye Dr.'s office I'm sure my DS would be crazy - looking from one thing to another - trying to open everything - etc. etc. - in new places and places with lots of gadgets and toys DS cannot sit still - he has to look at and touch everything and moves from one thing to the next. At home, it's hit or miss - most days he will focus on things he WANTS to focus on - and play with them for a while - but some days - good luck

Re: How do you know what "typical" 2 yo behavior is vs. "atypical"?

Posted by prncsslehcar

I may be in the minority here, but for this dr. to suggest your son may have ADD at 2 years old is completely inappropriate. What 2 year old DOESN'T have ADD? I mean, seriously, 2 year olds are not meant to have long attention spans I'm sorry, but this dr. was so out of line. It's hard to diagnose ADD in a school aged child, let alone one meeting with a 2 year old. Please do not worry about that at this point in time. Talk to your ped, but it sounds a bit premature for this dr. to be saying that.

Re: How do you know what "typical" 2 yo behavior is vs. "atypical"?

I just want to let you know (as a behaviorist and a clinician) what is tested at this age....

First of all, 2 year olds are rarely diagnosed as anything other than requiring services - so chances are, if he has ADD, he probably wouldn't get diagnosed until around 3-ish. Autism can be diagnosed anywhere from 18 months and up...

It's not the activity level that gets measured or warrants a diagnosis - most 2 yr olds will act like lunatics when they are tired, or unstructured settings. What gets looked t and assessed is - does the behavior interfere with his functioning in certain situations, and does it interfere with learning. A typical active 2 year old might run around like crazy, but when he is called over to attend briefly to a task, he will. He will focus on a task as long as it is functional, and at 2 years old understands the concept of task completion ( not leaving before a puzzle is finished, a game or song is over, etc). He will attempt to initiate a novel task, will watch someone play with a toy and attempt to imitate, things like that. If he is highly distracted where there is an actual issue, the above will all be difficult for him. This is the minimum that gets looked at....

HTH Anymore questions, I am always an FM (and a phone call if you need to talk) away

Re: How do you know what "typical" 2 yo behavior is vs. "atypical"?

Re: How do you know what "typical" 2 yo behavior is vs. "atypical"?

Re: How do you know what "typical" 2 yo behavior is vs. "atypical"?

I would not worry about it. 2 is so young...they are just starting to learn how to be little people.

Believe me, mine is on the polar opposite side. Sometimes I wonder why he is so refined and not running around nutty.

so many different personalities in playgroups and at the park. At 2 some kids are all up in a strangers kool aid while others are hiding behind their moms.

Re: How do you know what "typical" 2 yo behavior is vs. "atypical"?

Posted by prncsslehcar

I may be in the minority here, but for this dr. to suggest your son may have ADD at 2 years old is completely inappropriate. What 2 year old DOESN'T have ADD? I mean, seriously, 2 year olds are not meant to have long attention spans I'm sorry, but this dr. was so out of line. It's hard to diagnose ADD in a school aged child, let alone one meeting with a 2 year old. Please do not worry about that at this point in time. Talk to your ped, but it sounds a bit premature for this dr. to be saying that.

Re: How do you know what "typical" 2 yo behavior is vs. "atypical"?

Honestly, I would take what an eye doctor told you with a grain of salt. He is an eye doctor. How long did he see him? Your son was probably uncomfortable there or curious. Of course you should follow up and stay on top of it. But try not to make yourself crazy yet. Has anyone else mentioned a problem? He appears as typical as his peers?