Customer Reviews

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Clinical Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment for Health and Mental Health Professionals

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This is an excellent scientific review of ADHD for health care practitioners who treat children with ADHD. It offers information based on scientific research, not emotionalism and anecdote. If you want to read anti-medical propaganda, read Breggin. If you want science, read Silver.

Dr. Silver's book is an exceptional guide that can be used by clinicians, teachers and parents alike. I particularly like Dr. Silver's book because he is grounded in science. With regards to the issue of overtreamtent or over diagnosis of ADHD, the most recent research out there (as of Nov 2007) indicates that there are still large numbers of children with ADHD across our country and the world who are underserved. Many children are not diagnosed, and among those who are diagnosed properly, they do not necessarily receive the treatments professionals know to be effective (we are talking about over 4 decades of research on this topic, the evidence for what works is robust). He also gives a very thoughtful review of so called 'alternative treatments' in which he discusses why these are not mainstream treatments, and why they can even be harmful to your child. There's a nice section on special education law and a beginner's intro to how to advocate for your child. If you are staunchly anti-medication, you may find this book too strongly oriented towards medication, but keep in mind that the scientific literature and the experience of a great number of parents shows that these drugs make a huge difference in the lives of many families. There's no particular right or wrong to deciding to go with medication, you make the decision with your doctor based on what the child needs. Finally, I find in my practice that so many parents need a source of accurate information to inform their decision making, but they get derailed by bad advice and erroneous propaganda. There is so much opinion and misinformation in books and on the web. Parents get very confused about what to believe. Dr. Silver's work reflects the research, not his own agenda. I highly recommend this book.

If you are wondering why so many kids are diagnosised with ADHD and why most of them are on Ritalin, this is the book for you. It doesnt go into detail about the whys but as you read the book you'll notice how much this doctor, like many others, is pushing the diagnosis of ADHD and not looking at anything else, like genetic disorders, blood disorders, mental or emotional problems, and hundreds of other things that cause ADHD like behavior. As he describes the whys and hows of diagnosis he never goes into looking at the other things that may be causing the behavior and that is sad. This is a very narrow minded book, totally focused on pushing ADHD and is an example of why the diagnosis of ADHD has went through the roof recently. Also in the book, as you read, you'll notice how narrow minded he is about treat for ADHD. The only treatment he talks good about is medication - Ritalin. He briefly talks about the others but only to speak negatively about them. If you are looking for a narrow minded book, that totally focuses on ADHD for bad behaviors and one that doesnt look at alternatives for treatments other than medication, this is the one for you.