The ADHD Book: Answers to Parents' Most Pressing Questions

by Beth Praed, James Van Haren

Many experts say that, conservatively, well over six million children have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. With the mounting pressure placed on parents to pursue a diagnosis and medicate hyperactive children, the urgency of life-changing decisions can weigh heavily on the whole family. Conflicting advice bombards parents from all sides-often leaving families more confused and anxious than before. The AD/HD Book seeks to quell fears and rationally addresses nearly one hundred common questions and concerns to help parents make sense of the information chaos.
 
Beth Ann Hill, herself a mother and educator of AD/HD children, clearly explains the basics of AD/HD and lays out its complexities. She logically takes parents from symptoms, diagnoses and tests, medication, a treatment strategy designed to combine medical treatment, and special parenting techniques to break through problem behaviors.Whether readers browse through the question-and-answer format or read from start to finish, they will come to:
 
- understand the biological causes of AD/HD
- get the facts on prescription drugs
- cope with AD/HD's emotional impact on family and friends
- find comfort in real-life examples of challenges and their solutions
 
With the help of pediatric AD/HD specialist Dr. James Van Haren, Hill also develops unique strategies for teaching social and coping skills to children-and for having fun in the process. She includes worksheets, charts, daily planners, and more to help kids grow into adulthood with the tools to lead successful and productive lives.

Genres: Nonfiction

194 pages, Paperback

First published September 22, 2005

About the author

Beth Praed’s first book (written under the name Hill) quickly rose to be the #1 book on MS at Amazon for six years.

Now her 5th book, "So You Have a Disease: Devotions and Stories To Restore Hope" has won the Best Book Award in the gift book category!

Praed’s book, "So You Have a Disease: Devotions and Stories To Restore Hope", addresses the difficulties of living with a disease and it offers God’s hope with it’s inspiring stories.

In their review, Book Excellence says,

"A startling and tender book about illness, family, self-discovery and hope. Author, Beth Praed presents a raw and riveting account of life with MS that shines in its authenticity and grace. Each section is warm in tone and heartfelt, with a pearl of inspiration to clutch within each touching tale.

Short sections make it difficult to put down, and easy to revisit. The inspirational sections seem to effortlessly penetrate the spaces of the psyche most in need. There is a wide and inclusive range of influences to lift the spirit, alongside Christian teachings. It is introspective and deeply giving – with candid and vulnerable prose that helps to show from where one can draw their strength – even in the most hopeless and heartbreaking of situations.

This is a book that is sure to deliver on its desire to bring hope to readers."

Reviews

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very informative book that covers the basis of what AD/HD is and how it can effect a newly diagnosed person and their family. It answers many questions that a parent might have about how to better care for their child. Of particular interest, I found the synopsis on some of the most popular available medications insightful. There is also a whole chapter of coaching exercises in the back of the book to help focus a distracted hyper child. We've already started working on some of them. Overall I liked that I could go to one book to get a very concise overview of what and how this dx will effect my child with good resources and helpful coaching exercises.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, solid, scientifically-backed information about AD/HD. The questions-and-answer format is occasionally repetitive, but it allows the reader to skim and find the information s/he is looking for fairly quickly. I'm excited to try some of the "coaching" ideas in the final chapter; we've informally done several of the exercises she suggests and I think the others have the potential to be very helpful, too.

For more book reviews, come visit my blog, Build Enough Bookshelves.

[Angie Downs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although not the most detailed book on the subject, I liked this book because it is written by a parent of ADHD children and addresses almost every question a parent with an ADHD child might have. In addition, it is easy to bypass questions/answers that do not apply to your situation if you feel like it. Also, it has a great appendix in the back with a ton of resources, including many great coaching assignments to work with your child on.

[Heather]

Read in one day. Pro-medication; compares it to getting glasses for a nearsighted child. I don't know that I'm convinced of that comparison but this is the first book I've read on the topic.
Not a bad start.

[Emma]

Very helpful. Quite old now so a little outdated, but highlights medication as a tool and not a cure and importance of other strategies to help a child with adhd - worth the read for parents, teachers, health professionals or interested others.