Raising Boys With ADHD: Secrets for Parenting Healthy, Happy Sons

by James W. Forgan, Mary Anne Richey

Written by two professionals who have "been there and done that" with their own sons with ADHD, Raising Boys With ADHD empowers parents to help their sons with ADHD find success in school and beyond. The book covers topics not often found in other parenting guides such as the preschool years and early diagnosis and strategies for teens transitioning to work and college. Filled with practical knowledge, resources, and tools needed to help parents address the many strengths and challenges of boys with ADHD, this book provides parents with encouragement and hope for the future.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Adhd, Self Help, Health, Mental Health, Psychology

262 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2012

About the author

Dr. Jim Forgan is a licensed school psychologist in Jupiter, Florida which is in Palm Beach County, Florida. Dr. Forgan has two children and he understands giftedness, dyslexia, dysgraphia, and ADD/ADHD from the parent and professional perspective. He specializes in helping parents help children. Dr. Forgan is a Diplomate of the American Board of School Neuropsychology and a Barton certified dyslexia testing specialist.

He is a tenured special education professor at Florida Atlantic University where he conducts research and instructs teachers how to assess and teach students with various learning or social disorders. This keeps him on the cutting edge of knowing the best treatments and tools to help children and parents.

Dr. Forgan has written more than seven books that are published by national publishers and in bookstores including Raising Boys with ADHD, Raising Girls with ADHD, and The Impulsive, Disorganized Child: Solutions for Parenting Kids with Executive Functioning Difficulties.

from http://jimforgan.com/about/

See also Jim Forgan

Reviews

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this book to be very well written, easy to read and full of information. I borrowed this book from the library, but has so much useful information that I will now purchase the book. This is my first book on ADHD, but it really opened my eyes and broke my heart at the same time. It covers elementary year up to teenage years.

[Ren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought that this book was really useful not just for parenting boys with ADHD, but for parenting in general.

One of my favourite things about this book was how easy to read it was. I never felt like I was reading a boring textbook on ADHD with pages and pages of text. This book has lots of interesting charts and tips that kept my attention and it's nicely divided into subjects so I never felt overwhelmed.

I will definitly be passing this book along to my teacher friends because it has a lot of great information in it.

[Erik Zweigle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this to be light on specific actions or activities which could be undertaken to help improve a boy with ADHD's lifestyle. It seemed all very common advice - limit TV/video game time, implement 504/IEP plan with school, play to his strengths, get him in sports/outdoors, help him learn skills to cope with his disability.

I skipped the chapter on teenage years since my son is a kindergartener but I doubt I'll hold onto this book long enough to read that section. It just isn't that valuable of a reference document.

[Ashleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gotta stick this one in my back pocket and read every few years. Nothing like reading a parenting book I can actually relate to. I’ve read so many parenting books trying to figure out my kid and I finally found one that speaks to me!

[Jovy Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read book for parents whose kids are hyperactive and is diagnosed with ADHD. You will be doing yourself and your kid a great favor. You will understand that you are not alone. You can try and apply some strategies mentioned in the book. You will be able to relate to many things mentioned.

[Libbie George · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be really insightful and helpful for specifically raising a son with ADHD. I appreciated that they started in toddler hood and went completely to the teenage years. I will definitely recommend this book to others.

[Daniel G Keohane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ironically I seemed to not have the attention span to fi ish. However, the first half had some good points, though, mostly high level, understanding their side type of things. Never made it to any practical advice if there was more in second half

[Artnoose McMoose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good basic book about ADHD. It breaks things down into general age groupings so you can read more specific advice. It seems geared primarily towards parents whose child’s ADHD is quite debilitating. Still some good nuggets for parents or educators.

[Kadi Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book to help parents with ADHD boys know that they are not crazy! I have struggled for years with dealing with my child and wondering what I did wrong. Once I finally asked for help from school and doctor, I found out I was not parenting incorrectly. Good book!!

[Susan Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had a lot of good starter information. Some of the alternative educational opportunities are not affordable for many families, but good information on what is available and how to get the most out of your child's schooling system.

[Ricky Geerin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lack of relevance to Australia, but over all a good read with some interesting perspectives and practical ideas

[Bryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good introduction with practical suggestions. Now to follow through.

[Jennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great resource for those who have sons with ADHD.

[Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good intro to the topic (authors are well suited for it), but very basic/simplistic language. If you’ve read other books or dig into the science at all, this will be very basic.

[Scotty Jinks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Focused too much on the teenage years, although I may change my tune once I have a teen.

[Ileana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought it was a great book for a parent that needs an easy overview of ADHD. I found it very helpful!! It cleared up questions I didn’t even know I had.

[Becky Schulman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really wish this book had been available when my oldest was a child, but I feel somewhat vindicated with the many things I've learned and implemented since my grandson was diagnosed.

[Nisarg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Repetitive

[Erin Nugent · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a lot packed in this short book. Information needs to be updated, I jumped around quite a bit just trying to find information to pertained to my situation.

[Ilena Holder · Rating 5 out of 5]

interesting book

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was easy to read with clear organization of information. I learned a lot and was given a lot to think about. I feel this book will help me better advocate for my son and help him learn to manage his ADHD symptoms.

[Karen Li · Rating 4 out of 5]

While ADHD presentations are becoming more common in my clinic, I have been searching for an easy to understand the helpful guide for parents. Kids with ADHD- hyperactive subtype diagnoses are sometimes struggling in the school environment both academically and socially because they are simply too interested - IN EVERYTHING at the SAME TIME.
I have a bunch of beautiful parents who have worked so hard at making things work for their children that they are exhausted. To be honest, a session with a child with ADHD can be exhausting trying to keep up with the many interests they may have.
This book is really empathetic to the struggles parents will go through. And provides really practical tips for parents.

This book is helpful in that it's got a separate chapter for each period of development.

More at: http://couragepsyc.blogspot.com.au/20...

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book on the topic that I have read. I can't really assess the book's quality until I've read others of a similar nature. As it stands, it seems to cover details of parenting boys with ADHD in a non-technical manner. Much of the advice given with regards to boys with ADHD seems to be applicable to all parenting, perhaps just more necessary for some boys with additional difficulties.

I was not so favorably impressed with the idea that a boy with ADHD should tell people right away about their condition. So much of what people observe is based on what they expect. Telling someone that you have a mental condition seems to predispose them to expect unfavorable behavior. It also seems to provide some sort of an excuse for your own poor behavior.. "It's beyond my control." I would be leery of these to aspects of this particular advice, but I must admit I am not an expert in the field and my opinion is not very weighty.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am grateful that I read this book. It has truly opened my eyes to understanding the challenges that my son faces, and what we can do to help him meet and overcome those challenges. It is very well written, interesting to read, and easy to understand and apply. Both of the authors have sons with ADHD, and both have professional experience working with boys with ADHD in school and counseling settings. They cover the challenges and concerns for boys with ADHD from preschool through college, and gives so much detailed, helpful advice in many, many areas, including: selecting the best school/education options for your son, communicating with teachers and administration at your son's school, seeking professional help when needed, disciplining him at home and helping him build on his strengths, develop healthy self-esteem, and feel unconditional love and support.

[morninglightmama · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is, by far, the best of the many books I've read about parenting children with ADHD, being the most comprehensive and easiest to immediately apply to real life. It's focus on boys with ADHD made it 100% applicable to my life as a parent, and it was eerily on target with describing our experiences at home and with our son in school. I appreciated the fact that it addresses how ADHD can manifest itself throughout a child's life, from preschool through the late teen years. This book has shot to the top of my list of recommendations on the topic.

[Heather Fielden · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book to start out reading with a new diagnosis... it gave me some great nuggets of insight. It was very informational, and I found myself reading to the questions in my head that I never spoke out loud. There is a large section on teens, and I skipped that for I am still just with a 2nd grader. I am keeping this book, it is highlighted and sticky noted. It felt like there were lots of action steps, I need to go back and re-read.

[Megan Robinette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This had many good reminders about what my son is going through and how I can help him. I copied a lot of notes down so I can keep going back to them. It's hard to remember some of this when you're in the trenches of dealing with ADHD day-to-day. The phone calls/emails from teachers, the therapist appointments, the nervousness during baseball practice, the trying to stay calm while he's falling apart. I'll review what I learned here and try to do the best job i can for him.

[Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 7 year old son was diagnosed with ADHD last year and sometimes I feel a bit lost in handling things. This book was helpful and easy to read. It doesn't say "hey, here's all the answers you need, just follow our formula!" but gives insight into what's going on and helpful ideas to manage behavior and help our son.

[Austine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think I was looking for something with more concrete ways of dealing with ADHD is teenage boys. I felt like this was more of a how to talk to and use people with in the system. Unfortunately for me I live in a very small town and most individuals will not work with my son like this. I needed something that my family could really use. This just didn't help us in any meaningful way.

[Kimm · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wish I'd had this book about 4 years ago...it's great for someone who knows little about ADHD other than a suspicion that their son has it, but since I've lived it, not as much. With that said, it did have a few things for me to make note of, so worth reading even for the tiny tidbits.