Yes, but in our case we were not entirely sure because DS was born premature and was still delayed at 3, and because the symptoms overlapped with autism. The major symptom was staring off into space for long periods of time every day (and not interacting with others properly). Given your oldest has ADHD, there is a high probability your 3 year old has ADHD, perhaps the inattentive kind.

DS was tentatively diagnosed at 6 with ADHD and MERLD.
Then confirmed ADHD diagnosis at 10.
We still suspect he has Asperger's tendencies (HFA), but the ADHD was the most important thing to diagnose, since it can be treated with meds.

It is very well documented that children with ADHD are more likely to have delayed or inconsistent potty training because their brain is not properly processing input signals. Not every kid, but yes it’s a common symptom. Sensory seeking behavior is another possible early sign, again because the brain is not properly processing input signals. My child with ADHD never walked until about 5–he ran or jumped everywhere. But I don’t think that’s all that common and I hadn’t even noticed it until the preschool teacher pointed it out.
I personally don’t think attention span is a good indicator at that age because there is so much natural variation in attention span at that age and there are a lot of things that can cause it (including high IQ, which can make some kids bored by usual preschool activities).
Basically at 3 you can see some signs particularly if it’s an extreme case — but it’s hard to come to any conclusions at that age. I remember mine doing a child find evaluation at 4 and they did the whole evaluation bending backwards over the chair, resting on his head on the floor—.the child find people noted that it was indicative of something, for sure, but did not put any labels on it.

Anonymous wrote:I think my 3 year old has adhd inattentive. His daycare teacher expresses to me that his attention span is really short, and he sometimes just stands/sits there for a long there, either daydreaming or observing others. His older sibling has asd and adhd hyperactive.

He is not learning much at daycare because he cannot focus and does his own things most of the time. He has seen a developmental pediatrician, but he says he seems fine.

Are there any signs of adhd inattentive for little kids that are obvious as young as 3 year old?

I personally think 3 year olds shouldn't be forced to learn anything unless it is organic and it increases their curiosity and wonder. Schools have a way of making kids hate school. why would you push learning this early? I also think it is possible to have add inattentive but, I wouldn't do anything about it. (besides not forcing learning)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sunday school teacher again. Anecdotally, the children with adhd all had a difficult time potty training, most still having daily/weekly accidents at age 4. It’s not necessarily a symptom for kids, but all the children I knew did have that in common as well.

My ADHD kid potty trained at 2 and never had an accident.

So ..... anecdata not helpful.

+1 same for my kid. I’ve never heard of potty training being associated with adhd. I also am confused how the Sunday school teacher knows kids diagnoses later in life? Are you just assuming based on behavior when older at church?

I think you can tell, yes, but also—rule out absence seizures.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sunday school teacher again. Anecdotally, the children with adhd all had a difficult time potty training, most still having daily/weekly accidents at age 4. It’s not necessarily a symptom for kids, but all the children I knew did have that in common as well.

My ADHD kid potty trained at 2 and never had an accident.

So ..... anecdata not helpful.

Yeah same with mine, first kid potty trained in his 2 year old class. So big eye roll at this one.

But, to answer the real question, yes, I think you can tell at 3. However, I do not think you can tell with enough certainty to get a diagnosis. I also do not think you would or should do anything differently at that age. Other than educating yourself and being ready to act and advocate as needed in a few years.

Anonymous wrote:Sunday school teacher again. Anecdotally, the children with adhd all had a difficult time potty training, most still having daily/weekly accidents at age 4. It’s not necessarily a symptom for kids, but all the children I knew did have that in common as well.

My ADHD kid potty trained at 2 and never had an accident.

So ..... anecdata not helpful.

Anonymous wrote:I think all 3yos have "inattentiveness" and hyperactivity. Especially boys. How experienced is this teacher with this age group?

Obviously this is true. But teachers have seen hundreds of kids - they know typical 3 year old hyper vs a-typical.

Sunday school teacher again. Anecdotally, the children with adhd all had a difficult time potty training, most still having daily/weekly accidents at age 4. It’s not necessarily a symptom for kids, but all the children I knew did have that in common as well.

DC with very obvious ADHD showed clear signs at 3: was noticeably inattentive in school relative to other 3 yo (teachers couldn't keep DC in circle time, thought DC wasn't learning at the same pace as other kids), DC picked up certain high risk activities very quickly (for example, picked up downhill skiing very quickly and I was chasing DC all over the place by age 3), any group activity was almost impossible.

I'm of the mindset that when people who spend day in and out with similarly aged kids have flagged something for you that they think seems a bit outside the norm, they are probably on to something. Maybe not a specific diagnosis to be made at that age, but i'd bet your kid has some neurodivergences that are more noticeable when they're older, and you'll look back that this one was on the first indications.

That said, if they were just chitchatting during the teacher meeting, telling you about your kid during the day, what they get up to, how they behave, and they happened to just comment about this issue, i wouldn't read into it. But if they went out of their way to raise the issue to you, then my point above stands.

Yes. I’ve taught Sunday school for this age for years. It’s really obvious in a group setting which children are even extra inattentive. I’m pretty much 100% for predicting adhd diagnosis among the kids I’ve know and taught.

You can see all the symptoms in all 3 year olds

I think all 3yos have "inattentiveness" and hyperactivity. Especially boys. How experienced is this teacher with this age group?

I think my 3 year old has adhd inattentive. His daycare teacher expresses to me that his attention span is really short, and he sometimes just stands/sits there for a long there, either daydreaming or observing others. His older sibling has asd and adhd hyperactive.

He is not learning much at daycare because he cannot focus and does his own things most of the time. He has seen a developmental pediatrician, but he says he seems fine.

Are there any signs of adhd inattentive for little kids that are obvious as young as 3 year old?