If I Knew Then... The ADD & ADHD Answer Book
Written: Jul 24 '07 (Updated Jul 25 '07)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Informative, well written & presented
Cons: none
The Bottom Line: A very helpful tool in aiding the child with AD/HD.
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| cmaw63's Full Review: Susan Ashley - The ADD & ADHD Answer Book |
Raising a child that has ADD/ADHD can be a struggle. A struggle against the school system, medical profession, and people with unwanted advice. The hardest struggle, at times, will be with your own feelings of tiredness, despair, and anger. It's okay to feel all of this as long as you realize the child is feeling it too and you are in it together, not against each other. Sometimes you will feel like your son or daughter will never have a "normal" childhood. Other times he or she will bring you the greatest joy.
The Top 275 Questions Parents Ask
Susan Ashley states in her introduction that this book differs from others about AD/HD because "over the years as your child progresses through the various stages of this disorder, you will have The ADD and ADHD Answer Book on your reference shelf to find the answers to your new questions." I did find that this book progresses nicely from learning that your child has AD/HD to his future employment prospects. I can see this book as a valuable tool in helping a parent help the child into his late teen years.
There are 10 chapters starting with the The ABCs of ADD and ADHD. This is where I learned the three types of ADD/HD. The first is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Primarily Inattentive Type, commonly called ADD due to there not being hyperactivity, but the child is inattentive and distractible. The second one is what I now know, thanks to this book, what my son has. It is called ADHD, Primarily Hyperactive-Impulsive Type. This is where the child is overactive and impulsive. The third is ADHD, Combined Type, where the child suffers from the symptoms of both of the above types.
What I did not agree with is the statement that ADD often isn't a problem until the third or fourth grade. My son was diagnosed when he was 4 years old. So, don't let a generic age reference deter you from getting the testing if you feel it's needed.
The other chapters are Getting Your Child Evaluated, Coexisting Disorders, Succeeding in School, Homework, Parenting: Rules, Routines, and Rewards, Medication, Social Skills, Self-Esteem, and Growing Up with AD/HD. In the interest of not writing my own book here I will state each chapter held valuable information that did answer many questions and show the help that is out there now for both the parents and the child. I will point out two of the questions that either surprised me or I wish had known.
From Coexisting Disorders: How many children with AD/HD have a second disorder? I was surprised to find out that approximately two thirds of children with AD/HD have a secondary disorder. This was something that was never discussed with me 19 years ago, but makes sense when I remember some of the less significant problems (compared to the hyperactivity) my son had.
From Succeeding in School: What is Section 504? It is a civil rights act that protects persons with disabilities. (Including AD/HD) What it means to a parent of a child with AD/HD is that a public school must make "reasonable accommodations and modifications" for the child. This chapter goes on to list how to get a 504 meeting and some of the "reasonable" accommodations the school can implement. This book pays for itself ($14.95 U.S./$20.95 CAN) with this chapter alone. I cajoled, argued, and wept my son's way to being allowed what, if I had known, was required by law of the school.
Next...
There are 5 Appendixes (and/or appendices), with even more information for the parent, towards the end of the book. The 5 Most Important Lists You Need, Section 504 Accommodations and Modifications, Behavior Charts, Educational Tests, and Recommended Reading.
The first, 5 Most Important Lists You Need, gives the parent an outline on what to ask doctors, tell teachers, and help with parenting techniques. Another invaluable tool for information that a frustrated, tired parent might not think to ask or be aware of.
Again, Section 504 Accommodations is one of the best areas of The ADD & ADHD Answer Book. It gives the parent a checklist of behaviors and recommended solutions to help make an impact in a 504 hearing. To me, an informed, intelligent case being presented for the child, by the parent, can only help in getting him or her what they need to make the most of their school years.
Behavior Charts is exactly what it says. It shows outlines of charts that have both desired home and school tasks with daily/weekly rewards.
Educational Tests is a one page list of 6 tests that calculate intelligence, academic achievement, and cognitive ability. They can be implemented as young as 2 years old and on into adulthood with the highest being 90+ years of age.
Recommended Reading lists several websites and books that a parent can utilize to help further their knowledge of AD/HD and the help available.
A Book Worth Its Weight in Gold
The ADD & ADHD Answer Book is one that every parent of an AD/HD child should read. While it doesn't give in depth answers it does give a beginning and, sometimes, middle point for a parent to work off of. Susan Ashley is the founder & director of Ashley Children's Psychology Center. She started specializing in AD/HD in 1990. She has written a book for the parent that has needed information and in a way that is easily understood. I like that she doesn't dismiss medication as a helpful tool, but only if the parent and child behavior modifications aren't working to the child's benefit.
My ADHD son is 23 years old now, but I felt a need to see if The ADD & ADHD Answer Book held the answers to at least some of the questions I had years ago. It did. It, also, made me a little sad that I didn't have it as a tool to help make my son's childhood easier. He is doing well as an adult and has a good job in the computer field. We have been lucky that his ADHD symptoms have faded to a shadow of their former severity. Hang in there parents, there is good quality of life in spite of AD/HD.
Recommended:
Yes
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cmaw63
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 in Pets, Home and Garden, Books |
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Member: Julie
Location: Illinois, USA
Reviews written: 307
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Looking forward to my first grandbaby. She's due November 24!
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