Can ADHD be prevented in childhood? Here's what a psychologist and researcher has to say.

Lucas is five years old and has an inexhaustible energy. While his classmates paint quietly, he moves around the room, unintentionally interrupts, and forgets instructions within seconds. At school, they repeatedly say that he is "very active" and that he "will probably mature." However, his story is not exceptional. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects approximately one in 20 children worldwide, and, as recent evidence shows, its first signs can appear before primary school. This is explained by Jonatan Molina Torres, a professor of Psychology at the Miguel Hernández University, in an article published in The Conversation. Can ADHD be prevented in childhood? Here's what a psychologist and researcher says. Photo: Pexels "ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder whose warning signs begin in the early years of schooling, even before starting primary school," the academic points out. The problem, he adds, is that the response is often simply to wait. Waiting is not always the best option. In the preschool stage, it is normal for children to be restless, distracted, or have difficulty following instructions. "They are young, they will mature," is a common phrase that many families hear. But for Molina Torres, "sitting and waiting is missing the perfect moment." Without intervention, he warns, it is very likely that the symptoms will persist into adulthood. Delaying this help can not only worsen the prognosis, but also increase the risk that the child will accumulate early experiences of failure, affecting their self-esteem and the way they relate to their peers and adults. The expert also highlights two relevant gaps: in girls, the diagnosis is often delayed because they tend to exhibit fewer disruptive behaviors. Also, children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, although they are diagnosed more frequently, have less access to psychopedagogical resources. Intervening early, without labels. One of the most common fears is the stigma associated with early diagnosis. However, Molina Torres is clear: "You don't need a diagnosis to start helping." More and more specialists are advocating for a preventive approach, focused on developing key neurocognitive skills before the age of five. The most effective interventions at this stage, he explains, "use activities based on play to train self-control, sustained attention, or the ability to follow instructions." The idea is not to label, but to act on signs of difficulty, adapting the educational and family environment. Can ADHD be prevented in childhood? Here's what a psychologist and researcher says. Photo: Getty Images. Tips for children. Among the strategies proposed by the researcher are simple measures that can benefit all children, with or without ADHD. For example, anticipating changes in activity, incorporating frequent breaks, or integrating psychomotor activities into the daily routine. One of these is to introduce "motor missions" during transitions: ask children to walk like an animal or like a robot instead of demanding absolute silence. This allows for playful work on inhibitory control. Another strategy is active reading, where children imitate the characters in the story with gestures and movements, favoring auditory attention and channeling energy. He also recommends self-regulation routines, such as the "traffic light" (stop, think, and act) or small verbal self-instructions before starting a task. Final reflections. Intervening early is not only about reducing future difficulties. It is also an opportunity to enhance strengths. "Neutralizing the symptoms of ADHD in the preschool stage is not only a way to prevent future difficulties, but also an opportunity to enhance the positive aspects that these children can develop," says the author. The psychologist concludes by proposing a change in approach: not waiting for an official diagnosis to enable action, but adapting the context from the beginning.