Taking Charge of ADHD or Enhancing Fertility

Taking Charge of ADHD: The Complete, Authoritative Guide for Parents

Author: Russell A Barkley

Although the book is targeted at the parents of ADHD children, it will serve as a useful resource for teachers and others involved in the care and education of these children....This book is unique in its up-to-date and clear presentation of the scientific underpinnings of the disorder and the pragmatic, empirically based approach to intervention that it encourages. It is also very well organized and readable; it is probably the best available resource of this type.

Harlan Gephart

This book, an update of a 1995 publication, gives an overview of current thinking and research regarding ADHD and outlines medical, educational, and behavioral techniques for treating this disorder. The author's stated purpose is to educate parents about what is currently known and to give them tools to help them raise their ADHD child. Those objectives are very worthwhile, and the author in my opinion certainly meets those objectives. This book is written for all parents of ADHD children, as the title states. In my view, it is also a valuable teaching resource for all health professionals dealing with ADHD. The author is recognized as a world authority on ADHD. This book is organized in sections that provide an overview of current thinking regarding ADHD; specific parenting techniques; educational interventions; and the use of medication in the treatment of ADHD. The best features of the book are the chapters with specific guidelines, for example: "Fourteen Guiding Principles of Parenting"and "Eight Steps to Better Behavior." A unique feature at the end of the book lists parent resources, organizations, additional reading, videos, books, etc. A possible shortcoming is the initial 100 pages dealing with current ADHD knowledge that is didactic, scientific, and perhaps too sophisticated for many readers. This book is an invaluable resource for parents and healthcare providers in the care and management of children with ADHD. Dr. Barkley is an internationally recognized authority in the field, whose research and writings have contributed immensely to current knowledge regarding this disorder. This revised edition contains the latest information about ADHD and its straightforward,practical guidelines are not only easily understood but immensely helpful to parents in the daily care and management of their ADHD children.

Doody Review Services

Reviewer: Harlan R. Gephart, MD (University of Washington School of Medicine)
Description: This book, an update of a 1995 publication, gives an overview of current thinking and research regarding ADHD and outlines medical, educational, and behavioral techniques for treating this disorder.
Purpose: The author's stated purpose is to educate parents about what is currently known and to give them tools to help them raise their ADHD child. Those objectives are very worthwhile, and the author in my opinion certainly meets those objectives.
Audience: This book is written for all parents of ADHD children, as the title states. In my view, it is also a valuable teaching resource for all health professionals dealing with ADHD. The author is recognized as a world authority on ADHD.
Features: This book is organized in sections that provide an overview of current thinking regarding ADHD; specific parenting techniques; educational interventions; and the use of medication in the treatment of ADHD. The best features of the book are the chapters with specific guidelines, for example: "Fourteen Guiding Principles of Parenting"and "Eight Steps to Better Behavior." A unique feature at the end of the book lists parent resources, organizations, additional reading, videos, books, etc. A possible shortcoming is the initial 100 pages dealing with current ADHD knowledge that is didactic, scientific, and perhaps too sophisticated for many readers.
Assessment: This book is an invaluable resource for parents and healthcare providers in the care and management of children with ADHD. Dr. Barkley is an internationally recognized authority in the field, whose research and writings have contributed immensely to current knowledge regarding this disorder. This revised edition contains the latest information about ADHD and its straightforward, practical guidelines are not only easily understood but immensely helpful to parents in the daily care and management of their ADHD children.

Parent Council Reviews

A great guide for parents, teachers, and others who want to understand ADHD better, this book carefully covers the topic and includes many ways to cope with ADHD at home and school. Parents can find information on genetic and neurological research as well as the latest word on diagnosis and stimulant use. 2000, Guilford Press, $18.95. Ages Adult. Reviewer: S. Palmer SOURCE: Parent Council, September 2001 (Vol. 9, No. 1)

Library Journal

Studies find that ADHD affects three to ten percent of the school-age population, making it the most common psychiatric diagnosis in children. Treating it with Ritalin and other stimulants remains both common and controversial. With a stream of books and videos touting unproven "cures," the publication of these three accessible, scientifically based titles is particularly welcome. Each covers much of the same material: ADHD's causes are biological, mainly genetic; affected individuals are impulsive, unable to concentrate and follow instructions, often hyperactive, and oppositional (there is a subgroup who are "dreamy" but not disruptive); and medication doesn't cure ADHD but does ease the child's difficulties, especially when used in conjunction with home- and classroom-based systems of immediate positive and negative behavioral consequences. Each author, however, has a unique emphasis. Wender, one of the first advocates of using stimulant medication for hyperactivity, emphasizes that ADHD is a lifelong problem for many sufferers and that many ADHD adults would benefit from stimulant treatment. While the title of Haber's book might lead one to assume that he is opposed to the use of medication for treatment of ADHD, this is not the case. Haber, a developmental/behavioral pediatrician, believes that there is a group of children who do indeed suffer from ADHD but that this group is much smaller than other experts estimate. Also, he argues that epilepsy, hearing loss, Tourette's syndrome, and psychological distress owing to family instability or trauma are being mislabeled as ADHD. Barkley (psychiatry and neurology, Univ. of Massachussetts Medical Ctr.) theorizes that the cause of the various behaviors associated with ADHD is the inability to plan ahead--that these children have a very short "time line." His suggestions for treatment don't diverge from the mainstream, however. Because ADHD is such a hot topic, most public libraries should purchase all three titles. As a starting point for parents, or for smaller libraries that can only afford one title, Barkley's book is the first choice; it offers details about finding the right kind of specialists, putting together a disciplinary program, coping with adolescents, and building positive relationships with school personnel.--Mary Ann Hughes, Neill P.L., Pullman, WA Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.

Booknews

Empowers parents of children with ADHD by giving them a step-by-step plan for behavior management, hard data on diagnosis and treatment, strategies for helping children succeed at school and in social situations, and information on advances in genetic and neurological research that enhance understanding of the causes of ADHD. Includes an annotated list of books, organizations, and Internet resources. This edition is revised to incorporate the most current information. Barkley is director of psychology and professor of psychiatry and neurology at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Rating

3 Stars from Doody

Table of Contents:

	Introduction. A Guiding Philosophy for Parents of ADHD Children
Ch. 1	What Is Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder?	17
Ch. 2	A New Theory about ADHD	43
Ch. 3	What Causes ADHD?	55
Ch. 4	What to Expect: The Nature of the Disorder	78
Ch. 5	Family Life with an ADHD Child	92
Ch. 6	Deciding to Have Your Child Evaluated for ADHD	103
Ch. 7	Preparing for the Evaluation	111
Ch. 8	Coping with the Diagnosis of ADHD	125
Ch. 9	Ten Guiding Principles for Raising a Child with ADHD	129
Ch. 10	Just for Parents: How to Take Care of Yourself	137
Ch. 11	Eight Steps to Better Behavior	149
Ch. 12	Taking Charge at Home: The Art of Problem Solving	174
Ch. 13	How to Help Your Child with Peer Problems	180
Ch. 14	Getting Through Adolescence with an ADHD Child	188
Ch. 15	Off to School on the Right Foot: Managing Your Child's Education	206
Ch. 16	Enhancing Education at School and at Home: Methods for Success from Kindergarten through Grade 12	222
Ch. 17	Keeping School Performance in Perspective	240
Ch. 18	The Stimulants	249
Ch. 19	Other Medicines for ADHD	263
	Support Services for Parents	271
	Suggested Readings and Videotapes	273
	References	281
	Index	285

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Enhancing Fertility: A Couple's Guide to Natural Approaches

Author: Chris D Meletis

This book is dedicated to the millions of couples who are trying to get pregnant without success. Rather than assuming that you are infertile, you can try the many reliable natural remedies and resources in this book. Barring physical problems beyond your control, you have the power to take charge of your health and boost your fertility. The authors' goal is simple: to provide a clear guide to conception based on natural, safe, well-researched therapeutic approaches. Nutritional, environmental, botanical, and physical medicines, as well as traditional Chinese medical practices and homeopathy, all offer ways to promote fertility. Both men and women will find a wealth of helpful information on what to do -- individually and together -- to fully realize their fertility potential. Even if infertility isn't a problem, and you are simply planning to get pregnant and want to deliver a healthy baby, this book will help improve your chances. Anyone seeking to become a parent will benefit from this book's practical, time-tested wisdom. The healthier a woman is, the greater the likelihood the seed of life will find fertile soil and grow into a healthy baby.