Raising Girls With ADHD: Secrets for Parenting Healthy, Happy Daughters

by James W. Forgan, Mary Anne Richey

Although an increasing number of girls are diagnosed with ADHD every year, most of the focus of parent and teacher interventions has been on boys, leaving girls with ADHD frustrated and prone to acting out. Written by two professionals who have "been there and done that" with their own children with ADHD, Raising Girls with ADHD provides expert information to empower parents to make decisions about identification, treatment options, behavioral strategies, personal/social adjustment, educational impact, and many other issues from preschool through high school. These girls' struggles with socialization and peer acceptance, executive functioning skills like memory and organization, and emotional well-being and self-confidence are discussed with a goal of maximizing strengths and providing supports for weaknesses. Complete self-reflection surveys and action steps for parents and girls alike are included to create a dynamic action plan for your daughter's success in school and beyond.

Genres: Adhd, Parenting, Nonfiction, Psychology, Self Help, Education

296 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2014

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

[Rachel Shattuck]

Raising Girls with ADHD: Secrets for Parenting Healthy, Happy Daughters by James W. Forgan and Mary Anne Richey 4.75/5 ⭐️ - Offers a detailed look at the differences in how ADHD can present in girls vs boys. After a general overview of the diagnosis process and reflections on healthy ways families can approach their own ways forward, the book is split up into 3 age ranges - toddler/preschool, elementary school, and teenage years - and discusses girls’ unique challenges more in depth during these critical times. Provides worksheets and practical solutions for girls and their parents, like the Dynamic Action Plan, effective encouragement words, and concrete info on health care providers, therapies, and more. A really good overall introduction to the topic. #rachels2019readinglist

[Erica Ellis]

This is the third book I have read on this topic in an effort to do right by my daughter, and it is by far the best. First of all, this is evidence based and the authors cite peer-reviewed studies instead of just anecdotes from their personal experience. Secondly, the first two chapters were encouraging while in most of these books the initial chapters are geared towards forcing an acknowledgement of how bad it's going to be for your child. They emphasize that your child is now disabled and your expectations should shrink to accommodate this new version of them. It felt like I could hear the doors slamming shut. This book offers scientific evidence that it can be done, so long as everyone works harder. It was empowering and educational in an immediately applicable way.

[Stephanie]

This book is a really great resource. I liked exploring the differences in how ADHD presents in girls. This was one of the best ways it has been explained, and it really made me feel more confident in my daughter's diagnosis. In addition to explaining it, the authors also shared overall recommendations for parents to organize their thoughts and feelings about the diagnosis. Then, most importantly, gave recommendations for areas to focus and good resources by age. It was succinct and there were clear directions that really made me feel determined I can do more for my daughter in a short amount of time.

[Paula]

This books seems like it will be a great reference book to that needs to be revisit over time. It has chapters broken down into preschool years, elementary years and teen years. This book goes into detail about 504 vs IEP. It discusses IDEAs. It also describes symptoms and what things can be done in the classroom and at home to assist one's daughter. There is also a book called Raising Boys With ADHD. I will definitely acquire my own copy of this book.

[Bethany]

This book is easy to read along with being chock full of information. It gives me hope reading about raising a daughter with adhd, and it gave so many explanations on how to approach different aspects of her life. This is a book that I will read again.

[MindfulCenterSF]

"Raising Girls With ADHD" is a game-changing resource that addresses the unique challenges faced by girls with ADHD. Written by experts who understand the journey firsthand, this book provides invaluable insights for parents, caregivers, and educators.

[Sarah]

Rounded up from 4.5

[Lori]

Keeping this one on my shelf to continue to reference.

[Diana C]

7/10

[Carolyn]

I received a free copy from the publisher, through a Goodreads Firstreads giveaway.

It is so informative! My girls are still young so I'm not sure if they truly have or will continue to have ADHD, but the tips are helpful even so. I am thankful that, should they not outgrow their behaviors, I have this resource.

This book is a really helpful resource for parents of girls with ADHD. It illustrates the differences in how it affects girls, as opposed to boys. It discusses the various treatment options. It demonstrates what to look for in very young children (some items are similar to autism ques). It deals with elementary school and teen years. What could occur at each stage and steps to deal with them. Finally it helps parents not only deal, but establish their daughters, giving them a stable foundation for the rest of their lives.

[Jeana Upschulte Knickerbocker]

Raising Girls With ADHD: Secrets for Parenting Healthy, Happy Daughters is an excellent read for clinicians, educators, and families. As a school psychologist in Virginia, I believe this book offers easy-to-digest advice that is beneficial to those who work with girls with ADHD. I have shared my copy of this book with parents who have subsequently requested their own personal copies, as they feel it is a valuable resource to help them during their children's journeys through school years and beyond. Two thumbs up to the authors for another job well-done!

[Caitlyn]

I liked it ok. I was expecting more practical information, but a majority was dedicated to working with school officials and hiring professionals, rather than resources for working on the home relationship, helping your child develop skills, etc. Was a let down overall IMO.

[Julie]

Practical, encouraging advice and some questions for reflection in the first 3 chapters. Then a chapter for each of 3 age groups (preschool, elementary, teen) and some final thoughts. Balanced and informative, easy to read, fact-based with references but not bogged down in clinical terms/studies

[Melissa Stull]

Sometimes as a parent of a teen girl with ADHD, I feel so alone since girls are typically diagnosed later than boys and none of my friends have kids with ADHD which I find strange since my best friend, herself, has ADHD. This book helped me to not feel so alone.