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How Not to Murder your ADHD Kid: Instead learn how to be your child's own ADHD coach!
“If you read one book on ADHD - this is it”
“Read it. Keep reading it. Use it as a constant reference. It’s the BEST. There are simply not enough stars to give it”
At the end of your tether with your ADHD kid and don’t know which way to turn? Help is at hand!
“You will wish you found this gem earlier. This book has saved our lives”
Accredited Counsellor & Coach Sarah Templeton has specialised in ADHD since her own shock diagnosis aged 51! She now owns and runs Headstuff ADHD Therapy - the biggest team of ADHD diagnosed Counsellors and Coaches in the UK.
“Sarah is an expert in all things ADHD. She works so successfully with ADHD clients because she understands the condition from the inside out” ADHD Psychiatrist
Are you tearing your hair out trying to understand why your ADHD child doesn’t behave like other kids?
“Written by someone with first hand experience who can truly offer an insight into ADHD”
Frustrated standard parenting techniques just aren’t working? This book will explain EVERYTHING!
“Sarah clearly understands how us parents feel”
Sarah has written this book after working with 100’s of ADHD parents who said “If ONLY I’d known all this stuff while they were growing up”.
“I’ve learnt more from this book about how to help and support our son than I have in 4 years listening to ‘professionals’”
Now all this information IS in one place in an easy to read format. Skip straight to whatever issue you’re struggling with right now!
“It explains stuff in a way that’s understandable and a fun way so it’s not a hard or boring read”
Space to make notes at the end of each chapter.
“A very well written book and easy to read. Every sentence is useful”
Plus real life examples, straight from Sarah‘s therapy room, of what works, what doesn’t and why.
“Accessible, insightful, bang on and covers every angle of ADHD imaginable”
Sarah has worked in four English Young Offender Institutes and adult male Prisons and been distraught at the number of diagnosed & undiagnosed ADHD adolescents who end up in trouble. Determined to reverse this heartbreaking situation, Sarah realised it all starts back at home when they’re very young - understanding and learning the very best ways to manage their ADHD.
“Don’t underestimate what the right book can do for you and your family. This is the only book that gave us the tools to fight the system and overturn the THIRD wrong diagnosis of our ‘severely ADHD’ son”
Sarah has worked successfully with 100’s of ADHD kids - previous ‘teens in trouble’ clients of Sarah’s are now training to be Doctors, Lawyers and Professional Footballers. Sarah firmly believes this success comes from understanding and channelling their ADHD - using their feistiness to achieve HUGELY in life.
“Sarah understands ADHD from the inside out and is passionate about turning kids lives around”.
“Read it. Keep reading it. Use it as a constant reference. It’s the BEST. There are simply not enough stars to give it”
At the end of your tether with your ADHD kid and don’t know which way to turn? Help is at hand!
“You will wish you found this gem earlier. This book has saved our lives”
Accredited Counsellor & Coach Sarah Templeton has specialised in ADHD since her own shock diagnosis aged 51! She now owns and runs Headstuff ADHD Therapy - the biggest team of ADHD diagnosed Counsellors and Coaches in the UK.
“Sarah is an expert in all things ADHD. She works so successfully with ADHD clients because she understands the condition from the inside out” ADHD Psychiatrist
Are you tearing your hair out trying to understand why your ADHD child doesn’t behave like other kids?
“Written by someone with first hand experience who can truly offer an insight into ADHD”
Frustrated standard parenting techniques just aren’t working? This book will explain EVERYTHING!
“Sarah clearly understands how us parents feel”
Sarah has written this book after working with 100’s of ADHD parents who said “If ONLY I’d known all this stuff while they were growing up”.
“I’ve learnt more from this book about how to help and support our son than I have in 4 years listening to ‘professionals’”
Now all this information IS in one place in an easy to read format. Skip straight to whatever issue you’re struggling with right now!
“It explains stuff in a way that’s understandable and a fun way so it’s not a hard or boring read”
Space to make notes at the end of each chapter.
“A very well written book and easy to read. Every sentence is useful”
Plus real life examples, straight from Sarah‘s therapy room, of what works, what doesn’t and why.
“Accessible, insightful, bang on and covers every angle of ADHD imaginable”
Sarah has worked in four English Young Offender Institutes and adult male Prisons and been distraught at the number of diagnosed & undiagnosed ADHD adolescents who end up in trouble. Determined to reverse this heartbreaking situation, Sarah realised it all starts back at home when they’re very young - understanding and learning the very best ways to manage their ADHD.
“Don’t underestimate what the right book can do for you and your family. This is the only book that gave us the tools to fight the system and overturn the THIRD wrong diagnosis of our ‘severely ADHD’ son”
Sarah has worked successfully with 100’s of ADHD kids - previous ‘teens in trouble’ clients of Sarah’s are now training to be Doctors, Lawyers and Professional Footballers. Sarah firmly believes this success comes from understanding and channelling their ADHD - using their feistiness to achieve HUGELY in life.
“Sarah understands ADHD from the inside out and is passionate about turning kids lives around”.
202 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 20, 2021
156 people are currently reading
364 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Templeton
4 books8 followersSarah Templeton is a dedicated counselor with personal experience of ADHD, which has fueled her commitment to understanding and helping ADHD teens. With an extensive background working in both prison and private practice, she is a trusted voice in ADHD counseling and family support, known for her deep empathy and practical approach.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
August 2, 2022
Very informative, many lightbulb, aha moments and some good recommendations at the end. A realistic woman with ADHD herself which made her more relatable... some of the reward systems seemed a little overboard to me. But i liked how it helped me to recognise more of the traits of ADHD. I'm going to keep researching this subject and getting as much information as I can. I just wish we all had access to councillor's like her.
January 12, 2025
This book is easy to read but otherwise disappointing. If you have ADHD, live with someone with it, or have read any book ever on ADHD, you probably know most of what's in the book already. The rest is questionable. Generalizations and statements are made without any citations. The author is clearly anti-thc. A section is dedicated to boys and weed, and the book includes a line about weed leading to heroin. The author also makes comments on symptoms/experiences specific to boys with ADHD, but again never provides sources or explains that they are using generalizations. The information seems to be purely anecdotal.
September 2, 2022
This book came so highly recommended, but really let me down…surface level, mostly anecdotal, and relying almost exclusively on bribing ADHD children to comply rather than equipping them with the tools necessary for success. The author’s heart is 100% in the right place, but overall I did not find this to be a helpful resource.
March 30, 2023
Brilliant, clear, helpful advice, non judgemental
January 3, 2022
Absolutely brilliant.
My son was diagnosed with ADHD a few months ago, it was very clear to me that that was what his condition was but I didn’t understand it, I knew about it, I knew what traits he had and what he was like but I couldn’t explain why he does the things he does.
Reading this book has given me unbelievable insight to my sons brain and how it works, which feels like a super power into helping him to get the help and understanding he needs to thrive.
I am so grateful for this book. My husband will read it next then my parents and any other people who come into regular contact with my son will be asked to read it or I will send them key pages from it!
100% recommend!
My son was diagnosed with ADHD a few months ago, it was very clear to me that that was what his condition was but I didn’t understand it, I knew about it, I knew what traits he had and what he was like but I couldn’t explain why he does the things he does.
Reading this book has given me unbelievable insight to my sons brain and how it works, which feels like a super power into helping him to get the help and understanding he needs to thrive.
I am so grateful for this book. My husband will read it next then my parents and any other people who come into regular contact with my son will be asked to read it or I will send them key pages from it!
100% recommend!
May 2, 2022
Thank you for saving us! Now I’m going to get my family to read it too. Understanding is key, you can find and research lots of information but this book written by somebody with ADHD has just helped me completely understand my daughters brain and given me hope all is not lost. Thank you.
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March 24, 2022My notes/memory jogger
https://imgur.com/a/kJX6qs5
https://imgur.com/a/kJX6qs5
January 8, 2026
I picked up this book out of pure curiosity.
These days, almost every family I speak to seems to be talking about ADHD, so I genuinely wanted to understand what it really means and how parents are expected to support their children.
One of the strengths of this book is that it is short, crisp, and straight to the point.
The author clearly reinforces that shouting, screaming, blaming, and constant complaining simply do not work with children — a message that is repeated often enough to make sure parents truly absorb it.
However, I couldn’t help but wonder: where are parents supposed to develop the patience, emotional regulation, and self-awareness required to consistently apply this approach?
The book highlights the “what,” but not enough of the “how” for parents themselves.
What disappointed me most was the strong narrative that ADHD brains are “just like that,” with medication positioned almost as the primary solution — despite its potentially extreme side effects.
There was little to no mention of alternative or complementary approaches such as meditation, breath-work or yoga.
Had I read this book four or six years ago, I might have labelled almost everyone around me — including myself — as ADHD. At times, it felt like many common and negatively perceived human behaviors could easily be placed under the ADHD umbrella. Take a few childhood behaviors that simply need co-regulation, guidance, and emotional support from parents, and you can easily diagnose the child as ADHD.
I am grateful to the author for offering a quick introduction and awareness around ADHD.
It certainly provides a starting point for understanding. At the same time, I felt it missed important dimensions — especially the role of lifestyle in shaping attention and behaviour.
The book also doesn’t explore enough about children and adults who develop ADHD-like symptoms due to learned patterns, over-stimulation, stress — areas where conscious parenting, self-awareness, and holistic approaches could play a powerful role.
Overall, this book offers a useful snapshot of ADHD and parenting strategies, but may leave some important questions unanswered.
These days, almost every family I speak to seems to be talking about ADHD, so I genuinely wanted to understand what it really means and how parents are expected to support their children.
One of the strengths of this book is that it is short, crisp, and straight to the point.
The author clearly reinforces that shouting, screaming, blaming, and constant complaining simply do not work with children — a message that is repeated often enough to make sure parents truly absorb it.
However, I couldn’t help but wonder: where are parents supposed to develop the patience, emotional regulation, and self-awareness required to consistently apply this approach?
The book highlights the “what,” but not enough of the “how” for parents themselves.
What disappointed me most was the strong narrative that ADHD brains are “just like that,” with medication positioned almost as the primary solution — despite its potentially extreme side effects.
There was little to no mention of alternative or complementary approaches such as meditation, breath-work or yoga.
Had I read this book four or six years ago, I might have labelled almost everyone around me — including myself — as ADHD. At times, it felt like many common and negatively perceived human behaviors could easily be placed under the ADHD umbrella. Take a few childhood behaviors that simply need co-regulation, guidance, and emotional support from parents, and you can easily diagnose the child as ADHD.
I am grateful to the author for offering a quick introduction and awareness around ADHD.
It certainly provides a starting point for understanding. At the same time, I felt it missed important dimensions — especially the role of lifestyle in shaping attention and behaviour.
The book also doesn’t explore enough about children and adults who develop ADHD-like symptoms due to learned patterns, over-stimulation, stress — areas where conscious parenting, self-awareness, and holistic approaches could play a powerful role.
Overall, this book offers a useful snapshot of ADHD and parenting strategies, but may leave some important questions unanswered.
January 12, 2026
3.5, rounding down.
What I like about this book: The author presents an exhaustive list of ADHD traits in an easy to understand way. There were many I had not heard of before, or at least I didn't consider to be a symptom of ADHD. Also, as an American I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the audiobook, read by the author.
What I do not like: You can tell the author is childless, because while she is talented & qualified in the field of ADHD, counseling children & spending time with nieces & nephews is not the same as raising children 24/7. A lot of the advice is just not practical in my opinion. Also, I do not like that by the end of the book medication is painted as the only real solution. The author herself was not diagnosed until later in life, meaning she was able to gain employment & successfully navigate relationships (& stay out of jail - which is a big theme in this book) without medication, even if she wishes in hindsight that her upbringing were different.
What I like about this book: The author presents an exhaustive list of ADHD traits in an easy to understand way. There were many I had not heard of before, or at least I didn't consider to be a symptom of ADHD. Also, as an American I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the audiobook, read by the author.
What I do not like: You can tell the author is childless, because while she is talented & qualified in the field of ADHD, counseling children & spending time with nieces & nephews is not the same as raising children 24/7. A lot of the advice is just not practical in my opinion. Also, I do not like that by the end of the book medication is painted as the only real solution. The author herself was not diagnosed until later in life, meaning she was able to gain employment & successfully navigate relationships (& stay out of jail - which is a big theme in this book) without medication, even if she wishes in hindsight that her upbringing were different.
January 28, 2025
I absolutely adore this book! Sarah has an incredible ability to connect with readers through her unique and engaging writing style. She masterfully balances technical information with storytelling, making the text both lighthearted and captivating. Despite the entertaining tone, the book is packed with a wealth of scientific insights and practical advice that are easy to apply in real life.
After trying some of the techniques Sarah suggests with my own family, I was blown away by the almost instantaneous results. Her strategies are actionable, thoughtful, and empowering for parents navigating the challenges of raising a child with ADHD. I’ve already recommended this book to several other parents, and they’ve found it just as transformative.
Thank you, Sarah, for writing such a thoughtful and practical guide. I’m eagerly looking forward to your next book! Abigail
After trying some of the techniques Sarah suggests with my own family, I was blown away by the almost instantaneous results. Her strategies are actionable, thoughtful, and empowering for parents navigating the challenges of raising a child with ADHD. I’ve already recommended this book to several other parents, and they’ve found it just as transformative.
Thank you, Sarah, for writing such a thoughtful and practical guide. I’m eagerly looking forward to your next book! Abigail
December 30, 2022
This was a very informative book. I think that it would be good for parents new to the ADHD diagnosis. I have don’t ALOT of research and really have tried reaching my child on his level. The main thing I took from the book was, I’m doing a pretty good job! It’s always good to read and re read and learn new points of view. I actually learned more about my husband and his behavior from this book. I could have added some things that I have discovered and that have helped my moderate to severe ADHD combined kiddo. But over all it was a good book with good ideas and suggestions.
January 2, 2026
A large part of the book was a range of different ways of encouraging incentives for your ADHD child, and to ask more questions before jumping to rebuke. The last few chapters I found the most helpful where the author dipped into different ways the ADHD brain can be processing information and how CBT can help them reduce the frustration and communicate more clearly. The author was also very honest about medication and the pluses and minuses. Very helpful book for any parent navigating these things - take what is helpful, and leave what is not.
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January 13, 2026While I don’t have a diagnosis for my child, I suspect some ADHD tendencies and I’m trying to do research so I know best how to parent him different than I do my daughter. This book was really interesting and I feel like laid out the basics and how I can understand how a brain different from mine works. It was super cool how the author herself had (late diagnosed) ADHD so she had practical and personal examples. If necessary in the future, I would definitely refer back to this book!
January 26, 2023
I thought it was excellent. The book gives a great explanation on what to look for if you suspect your child has ADHD. As an ND parent I don't think it will help me manage my child's adhd. It may be a good guide for NT parents though. If someone were to ask how do you know you have adhd, I'd give them this book and say 90% of what's in here is me.
August 5, 2025
Felt like learning a bit of English jargon while learning how to help a child cope with ADHD. She includes lots of tips and real life scenarios. She also ended each chapter with a quick recap for when you're trying to recall what you read about a certain attribute. Hopefully, we can put this good advice into action and help our child succeed.
September 23, 2025
Listened to it. If you are not ADHD and are looking for something to help you understand your child(ren), this is a great read. Sarah is incredibly relatable as she shares about herself and what she has learned over the years of working with ADHD children.
Lots of great tips and suggestions in this book.
Lots of great tips and suggestions in this book.
May 4, 2022
A definite read
Great book and information that really helps you understand your child, highly recommend family members read this book. The information is very practical that you can use the same day.
Great book and information that really helps you understand your child, highly recommend family members read this book. The information is very practical that you can use the same day.
May 22, 2022
As a mum of a child with ADHD, I can’t recommend this book highly enough!
The authors insights are amazing! She is a Counsellor who has combined type ADHD (moderate to severe) but was not diagnosed until she was 51!
I listened to the audiobook and it was like listening to someone who knew my 6 year old!
I have learned so much from this!
Everything is explained in easy to understand terminology!
A must read/listen for anyone involved with individuals who have ADHD - parents, care givers, family, teachers!!!
5 stars isn’t enough!
The authors insights are amazing! She is a Counsellor who has combined type ADHD (moderate to severe) but was not diagnosed until she was 51!
I listened to the audiobook and it was like listening to someone who knew my 6 year old!
I have learned so much from this!
Everything is explained in easy to understand terminology!
A must read/listen for anyone involved with individuals who have ADHD - parents, care givers, family, teachers!!!
5 stars isn’t enough!
August 8, 2022
Excellent book.
Super easy to read and completely engaging. Helping me to understand (myself!!) my son and his actions and approaches to things.
Read on kindle and have now bought a paper copy so that I can flick back and forwards, make notes etc.
Super easy to read and completely engaging. Helping me to understand (myself!!) my son and his actions and approaches to things.
Read on kindle and have now bought a paper copy so that I can flick back and forwards, make notes etc.
November 6, 2024
This book was fantastic!
So informative and really loaded me with alot of information to really help me understand and empathise with my ADHD child.
Has made a world of difference in the way I now parent.
So informative and really loaded me with alot of information to really help me understand and empathise with my ADHD child.
Has made a world of difference in the way I now parent.
December 13, 2025
This book was so refreshing and a must read for any parent/carer of a child who may have, or has a diagnosis of ADHD.
I would also highly recommend it for any teachers who would like to get a better understanding of how the ADHD brain works, and how to support any pupil who may have ADHD.
I would also highly recommend it for any teachers who would like to get a better understanding of how the ADHD brain works, and how to support any pupil who may have ADHD.
March 9, 2022
Amazing book and so helpful to support parents, carers and teachers with their ADHDers!
May 8, 2022
Great resource!
December 12, 2022
I’ve read and listened to a ton of books but this one really hit home and helped me better understand both of my children
April 5, 2023
Terrible title, but super useful little book both for mindset changes and interventions that parents can use with their kids with ADHD.
August 18, 2023
Lots of helpful things to look out for but got fed up with author keep telling me 'don't even think about...'
May 23, 2024
Many lightbulb moments throughout thus book. I read it to help my daughter but realised it sounds very like me. Great read for any parent struggling with an ADHD child.
June 13, 2024
Completely recommend 100% if you or a child have ADHD. The author is hilarious and it was a very entertaining read as well as being very informative.
July 7, 2024
Brilliant day informative book
November 12, 2024
I cannot tell you how helpful I found this book. I think about it every single day.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews