DR CHRISTOPHER GREEN
I first read this book in 1997 when my first son was diagnosed as having attention deficit disorder. Before he was diagnosed I had never heard of ADD so I went out and bought the book hoping for an insight into this 'new lable' my son had been given. I have found the book to be an absolute well of inspiration, I have found the 'what parents tell us' sections both informative and amusing, I wouldn't be without it. since I bought the book, my youngest son has been diagnosed, alot quicker than the first! as my knowledge of the condition has been expanded by the book. Its my Bible!
KATE KELLY
I used to be "Lazy, Stupid and Crazy". Now I am an informed adult ADD'er who is learning to focus, not only on the challenge of getting through the day, appropriately, and feeling like a useful member of my family and society. Some people refer to ADD or ADHD as an excuse or a "label". It is a much more positive one than Lazy, Stupid or Crazy and certainly a lot easier to live with than "all three", especially since, it is treatable. This book has taken me through the denial , the grieving, the accepting and the healing processes and has helped me participate in the decision to "medicate or not to medicate". I am gaining the confidence to talk about the condition and to discuss my own experiences with those people who wish to learn more about the condition. To explain that ADD'ers do not necessarily "swing from the curtain rails" and that medication can be an answer but is not necessarily so. And that I take Ritilin! Scary stuff in New Zealand where we are still in diapers on the subject of ADD and ADHD. I have found this book to be an excellent resource - worth having in your personal library for reference - I hated it the first time I read it while in my denial stage and some two years later, I have come to accept the honest and down to earth information that I needed to read! The writing style in the book is easy and comfortable and it is written in a paragraph form that will help people with reading challenges to stay focused,without "getting lost" on the page. Do not be put off by the lengh and detail in the book. If you are an ADD adult, or if you are reading it to understand ADD in adults, you can open this book at any chapter and on any page and find something that you can relate to in you day to day experiences with ADD. I consider this book as part of my therapy for coping with day to day life. Well Done, Kate and Peggy. I owe you!
There are lots of books on the market about ADHD but this is one of the best at explaining the emotional and behavioural difficulties that ADHD children face. It also convincingly explains the biological basis of ADHD - a crucial factor given the widespread belief, even among the medical profession, that ADHD childrens' behaviour is really somehow 'your fault'. Though the book discusses all the critical elements of ADHD in some detail it does so in a clear and precise way. I was able to read it in an afternoon and came away with a far better understanding of my son's behaviour. If you suspect your child has ADHD you will need a book like this to deal with the level of ignorance and disbelief you will discover among doctors, teachers and other people. Highly recommended.
Thank you Ben for writing this book! I have a son who lives with ADHD and reading this book gave me an insight into his mind, although my son is only 7 and not as bad as Ben, it has helped me understand what he has to live with. I recommened this book not only if you a parent/grandparent but also if your a teacher with an ADHD child in your class. It shows you how much Ben has achieved and how far he has come over the years, well done Ben on such a great book!!
At last - a whole book daring to address the latest investigations into ADHD in girls! This book was a revelation. Superbly written it explains the latest findings regarding ADHD symptoms in girls and provides a couple of self-assessment questionaires. After my daughter filled one out, I found I could understand her behaviour so much better and was prompted to seek a professional evaluation. After 7 years of getting nowhere because she is not disruptive at school, someone is finally listening. I recommend parents, teachers and health professionals to read this book and be enlightened!
Last Modified May 24 2007
