Taking Charge of ADHD: The Complete, Authoritative Guide for Parents

Introduction. A Guiding Philosophy for Parents of ADHD ChildrenCh. 1What Is Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder?17Ch. 2A New Theory about ADHD43Ch. 3What Causes ADHD?55Ch. 4What to Expect: The Nature of the Disorder78Ch. 5Family Life with an ADHD Child92Ch. 6Deciding to Have Your Child Evaluated for ADHD103Ch. 7Preparing for the Evaluation111Ch. 8Coping with the Diagnosis of ADHD125Ch. 9Ten Guiding Principles for Raising a Child with ADHD129Ch. 10Just for Parents: How to Take Care of Yourself137Ch. 11Eight Steps to Better Behavior149Ch. 12Taking Charge at Home: The Art of Problem Solving174Ch. 13How to Help Your Child with Peer Problems180Ch. 14Getting Through Adolescence with an ADHD Child188Ch. 15Off to School on the Right Foot: Managing Your Child's Education206Ch. 16Enhancing Education at School and at Home: Methods for Success from Kindergarten through Grade 12222Ch. 17Keeping School Performance in Perspective240Ch. 18The Stimulants249Ch. 19Other Medicines for ADHD263Support Services for Parents271Suggested Readings and Videotapes273References281Index285

\ From The CriticsReviewer: Harlan R. Gephart, MD(University of Washington School of Medicine)\ Description: This book, an update of a 1995 publication, gives an overview of current thinking and research regarding ADHD and outlines medical, educational, and behavioral techniques for treating this disorder. \ Purpose: The author's stated purpose is to educate parents about what is currently known and to give them tools to help them raise their ADHD child. Those objectives are very worthwhile, and the author in my opinion certainly meets those objectives.\ Audience: This book is written for all parents of ADHD children, as the title states. In my view, it is also a valuable teaching resource for all health professionals dealing with ADHD. The author is recognized as a world authority on ADHD.\ Features: This book is organized in sections that provide an overview of current thinking regarding ADHD; specific parenting techniques; educational interventions; and the use of medication in the treatment of ADHD. The best features of the book are the chapters with specific guidelines, for example: "Fourteen Guiding Principles of Parenting"and "Eight Steps to Better Behavior." A unique feature at the end of the book lists parent resources, organizations, additional reading, videos, books, etc. A possible shortcoming is the initial 100 pages dealing with current ADHD knowledge that is didactic, scientific, and perhaps too sophisticated for many readers.\ Assessment: This book is an invaluable resource for parents and healthcare providers in the care and management of children with ADHD. Dr. Barkley is an internationally recognized authority in the field, whose research and writings have contributed immensely to current knowledge regarding this disorder. This revised edition contains the latest information about ADHD and its straightforward, practical guidelines are not only easily understood but immensely helpful to parents in the daily care and management of their ADHD children.\ \ \ \ \ Harlan GephartThis book, an update of a 1995 publication, gives an overview of current thinking and research regarding ADHD and outlines medical, educational, and behavioral techniques for treating this disorder. The author's stated purpose is to educate parents about what is currently known and to give them tools to help them raise their ADHD child. Those objectives are very worthwhile, and the author in my opinion certainly meets those objectives. This book is written for all parents of ADHD children, as the title states. In my view, it is also a valuable teaching resource for all health professionals dealing with ADHD. The author is recognized as a world authority on ADHD. This book is organized in sections that provide an overview of current thinking regarding ADHD; specific parenting techniques; educational interventions; and the use of medication in the treatment of ADHD. The best features of the book are the chapters with specific guidelines, for example: "Fourteen Guiding Principles of Parenting"and "Eight Steps to Better Behavior." A unique feature at the end of the book lists parent resources, organizations, additional reading, videos, books, etc. A possible shortcoming is the initial 100 pages dealing with current ADHD knowledge that is didactic, scientific, and perhaps too sophisticated for many readers. This book is an invaluable resource for parents and healthcare providers in the care and management of children with ADHD. Dr. Barkley is an internationally recognized authority in the field, whose research and writings have contributed immensely to current knowledge regarding this disorder. This revised edition contains the latest information about ADHD and its straightforward,practical guidelines are not only easily understood but immensely helpful to parents in the daily care and management of their ADHD children.\ \ \ From The CriticsA great guide for parents, teachers, and others who want to understand ADHD better, this book carefully covers the topic and includes many ways to cope with ADHD at home and school. Parents can find information on genetic and neurological research as well as the latest word on diagnosis and stimulant use. 2000, Guilford Press, $18.95. Ages Adult. Reviewer: S. Palmer SOURCE: Parent Council, September 2001 (Vol. 9, No. 1)\ \ \ \ \ Library JournalStudies find that ADHD affects three to ten percent of the school-age population, making it the most common psychiatric diagnosis in children. Treating it with Ritalin and other stimulants remains both common and controversial. With a stream of books and videos touting unproven "cures," the publication of these three accessible, scientifically based titles is particularly welcome. Each covers much of the same material: ADHD's causes are biological, mainly genetic; affected individuals are impulsive, unable to concentrate and follow instructions, often hyperactive, and oppositional (there is a subgroup who are "dreamy" but not disruptive); and medication doesn't cure ADHD but does ease the child's difficulties, especially when used in conjunction with home- and classroom-based systems of immediate positive and negative behavioral consequences. Each author, however, has a unique emphasis. Wender, one of the first advocates of using stimulant medication for hyperactivity, emphasizes that ADHD is a lifelong problem for many sufferers and that many ADHD adults would benefit from stimulant treatment. While the title of Haber's book might lead one to assume that he is opposed to the use of medication for treatment of ADHD, this is not the case. Haber, a developmental/behavioral pediatrician, believes that there is a group of children who do indeed suffer from ADHD but that this group is much smaller than other experts estimate. Also, he argues that epilepsy, hearing loss, Tourette's syndrome, and psychological distress owing to family instability or trauma are being mislabeled as ADHD. Barkley (psychiatry and neurology, Univ. of Massachussetts Medical Ctr.) theorizes that the cause of the various behaviors associated with ADHD is the inability to plan ahead--that these children have a very short "time line." His suggestions for treatment don't diverge from the mainstream, however. Because ADHD is such a hot topic, most public libraries should purchase all three titles. As a starting point for parents, or for smaller libraries that can only afford one title, Barkley's book is the first choice; it offers details about finding the right kind of specialists, putting together a disciplinary program, coping with adolescents, and building positive relationships with school personnel.--Mary Ann Hughes, Neill P.L., Pullman, WA Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.\ \ \ \ \ BooknewsEmpowers parents of children with ADHD by giving them a step-by-step plan for behavior management, hard data on diagnosis and treatment, strategies for helping children succeed at school and in social situations, and information on advances in genetic and neurological research that enhance understanding of the causes of ADHD. Includes an annotated list of books, organizations, and Internet resources. This edition is revised to incorporate the most current information. Barkley is director of psychology and professor of psychiatry and neurology at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)\ \ \ \ \ From the Publisher"Russell Barkley might well be known as the patron saint of ADHD for all that he has done to advance our understanding of this fascinating condition. Dr. Barkley's name is synonymous with quality, integrity, and reliability. He is meticulous in his research and unfailing in his willingness to offer his time as well as his knowledge to all who ask for help. Anyone who writes about, researches, or lives with ADHD owes a deep debt to Dr. Barkley."--Edward M. Hallowell, MD, coauthor of Driven to Distraction\ "This very clear and well-written guide is filled with useful strategies and all the reinforcement that ADHD parents need."--Jane Marks, author of The Hidden Children\ "Russell Barkley's extensive experience as clinician, researcher, and teacher really shows. This is the most up-to-date story on our understanding of ADHD and its practical management. The readable reviews would inform most therapists. Dr. Barkley shows parents the way toward a positive approach to ADHD, from which the whole family will benefit."--Judith L. Rapoport, MD, Chief, Child Psychiatry Branch, NIMH, Bethesda, Maryland, author of The Boy Who Couldn't Stop Washing\ \ \ \ \ \ \ Intervention in School and Clinic"Russell Barkley, considered one of the leading authorities on attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), provides a clear and well-written guide that encourages, exhorts, and inspires parents. This book features pioneering research that provides new insight into preventing ADHD from becoming a major obstacle in a child's (and parent's) life."--Intervention in School and Clinic\ \ \ \ \ Pediatric News"This is not just another book. This is a great book....Although aimed at parents, [it] has something for everyone involved with ADHD kids: teachers, psychologists, doctors, and family."--Pediatric News\ \ \ \ \ Contemporary Psychology"A solid resource guide for parents."--Contemporary Psychology\ \ \ \ \ 3 Stars from Doody\ \