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Attention Difference Disorder: How to Turn Your ADHD Child or Teen's Differences into Strengths in 7 Simple Steps
Parents of kids and teens with ADD or ADHD often struggle with the myths and stigma surrounding their child's condition. This can often lead to parental guilt and shame. In Attention Difference Disorder, Dr. Handelman combines his clinical and scientific background with a positive, strength based approach to bring you 7 simple steps to succeed with ADD.
Dr. Handelman shares that there is not always a deficit in attention with ADD, rather there are differences. As he " One of the themes of this book is to take your child's deficits and turn them into differences, and then turn those differences into strengths."
In this concise, easy to read and thorough book, you'll begin to see ADD in a completely different light. The science is combined with a practical and easy to implement approach, where the 7 steps help parents navigate the different treatments needed to help their children succeed. The 7 steps include strategies for home, school, medications as well as one of the most thorough reviews of the science behind the Alternative Treatments for ADD yet published.
Attention Difference Disorder helps parents to understand their "Parent's ADD Journey", and address whether ADD can be a gift and provides a 6 step plan to help you to unwrap the gifts in ADD.
Dr. Handelman shares that there is not always a deficit in attention with ADD, rather there are differences. As he " One of the themes of this book is to take your child's deficits and turn them into differences, and then turn those differences into strengths."
In this concise, easy to read and thorough book, you'll begin to see ADD in a completely different light. The science is combined with a practical and easy to implement approach, where the 7 steps help parents navigate the different treatments needed to help their children succeed. The 7 steps include strategies for home, school, medications as well as one of the most thorough reviews of the science behind the Alternative Treatments for ADD yet published.
Attention Difference Disorder helps parents to understand their "Parent's ADD Journey", and address whether ADD can be a gift and provides a 6 step plan to help you to unwrap the gifts in ADD.
- GenresParenting
230 pages, Paperback
First published March 31, 2011
18 people are currently reading
101 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 2, 2014
This is a great introductory book on ADD/ADHD. It clearly explains the symptoms and briefly discusses treatment options, including medication and alternative approaches.
The author is a psychiatrist (MD) with a lot of experience with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children. As a doctor, he is strongly in favor of a medicated approach along with therapy for both the children and adults caring for them. Alternative approaches are explained in a balanced way--explaining the scientific basis of the claims (if any) and the risks and benefits involved. Some alternative therapies are even encouraged, such as supplements.
The book has a whole section devoted to other problems that often co-exist with ADD, so if your child seems to have other problems as well, this may shed some light on that.
As for the "difference" part, that's treated fairly ambiguously in the last chapter. The author's stance is that it may help your kids to think that there could be a silver lining on this cloud, and wouldn't you rather treat it as if there is (even if there isn't) than treat it like there isn't if there is?
The "silver lining" is improved creativity and ability to "think outside the box." I've seen this same "silver lining" laid out more enthusiastically in a book on dyslexia.
Overall, I think the topic is treated thoroughly, briefly and in a very science-based, yet readable way. I recommend it for anyone who thinks their child may have ADD/ADHD.
The author is a psychiatrist (MD) with a lot of experience with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children. As a doctor, he is strongly in favor of a medicated approach along with therapy for both the children and adults caring for them. Alternative approaches are explained in a balanced way--explaining the scientific basis of the claims (if any) and the risks and benefits involved. Some alternative therapies are even encouraged, such as supplements.
The book has a whole section devoted to other problems that often co-exist with ADD, so if your child seems to have other problems as well, this may shed some light on that.
As for the "difference" part, that's treated fairly ambiguously in the last chapter. The author's stance is that it may help your kids to think that there could be a silver lining on this cloud, and wouldn't you rather treat it as if there is (even if there isn't) than treat it like there isn't if there is?
The "silver lining" is improved creativity and ability to "think outside the box." I've seen this same "silver lining" laid out more enthusiastically in a book on dyslexia.
Overall, I think the topic is treated thoroughly, briefly and in a very science-based, yet readable way. I recommend it for anyone who thinks their child may have ADD/ADHD.
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April 6, 2014Insightful, with good information
There's good information here. The topics are logically organized, and the format is easy to read and accessible. The book is written as a means to educate the reader and to assist with making the best decisions, as opposed to just dumping a ton of information and leaving it at that. It could've used a final run-through by an editor, so I'm assuming it was self-published, with occasional typos and odd phrasing. Even so, the doctor does a great job of writing in a conversational style with an emphasis on helping parents make the best decisions, and it's well worth a read.
There's good information here. The topics are logically organized, and the format is easy to read and accessible. The book is written as a means to educate the reader and to assist with making the best decisions, as opposed to just dumping a ton of information and leaving it at that. It could've used a final run-through by an editor, so I'm assuming it was self-published, with occasional typos and odd phrasing. Even so, the doctor does a great job of writing in a conversational style with an emphasis on helping parents make the best decisions, and it's well worth a read.
December 18, 2020
This book is in my top for parenting helps! I liked the foundational approach of LOVE but also providing simple steps to follow, like being a policeman and handing out "tickets" without further discussion. I could easily understand and implement the steps and could see immediate results from following them. I am grateful to have found this book as it has made a difference in the harmony in our home and it has increased our reaching out towards our child more.
December 8, 2024
As a teacher and a new ADHD parent this book was extremely helpful with some excellent info. Easy to read and not a “text book” full of confusing medical jargon. Highly recommend to anyone who works with or has kids with ADHD
September 19, 2024
Recommended reading for parents with ADD children
May 28, 2012
This is informative and I've already recommended it to others for their children/teens. This will be a book I have handy in my classroom to lend to parents with a student who has a new diagnosis.
May 10, 2014
very good
December 10, 2019
A good summary of ADHD and its possible treatments. A great starter book for families with a recent diagnosis.
April 23, 2017
Really informative
This book was recommended to me by another mom who has two boys with ADHD.
I really enjoyed how this book was written in a conversational way that easily held my attention. I have a strong suspicion I have ADD too! I have read other books about this topic. Actually, to be honest, I've half read said books, as they were too technical. And although I really want to learn, the writing style was, in my son's favourite word: boring.
Dr. Kenny, thank you so much for writing a simple to understand book about a topic that is anything but simple.
This book was recommended to me by another mom who has two boys with ADHD.
I really enjoyed how this book was written in a conversational way that easily held my attention. I have a strong suspicion I have ADD too! I have read other books about this topic. Actually, to be honest, I've half read said books, as they were too technical. And although I really want to learn, the writing style was, in my son's favourite word: boring.
Dr. Kenny, thank you so much for writing a simple to understand book about a topic that is anything but simple.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews