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15 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This book is a treasure, May 3, 2009
This review is from: The Diseasing of America's Children: Exposing the ADHD Fiasco and Empowering Parents to Take Back Control (Hardcover)
This book was not written to make anyone feel comfortable and for that reason it's the most valuable book I've read on children. Never have I found so much powerful information in such a usable format. But if you're not ready to question the status quo, hear the truth about childrearing practices you hold dear and make dramatic changes in how you think about your family, then don't bother picking this up. Like all real treasure, it's not for wimps.
While this book's title tells you it's about ADHD, I'm recommending it for all parents, teachers, grandparents and social workers. Even if your child hasn't been diagnosed I would wager that you know one who has. Perhaps you've suspected that some child in your world is a little "too hyper" or heard that even adults can be ADHD and thought of someone close to you. The first half of this book takes the ADHD bull by the horns and doesn't let go until every aspect of the disorder is dissected. With a historical overview that puts everything into perspective and a no-holds-barred approach to research that points fingers, names names and calls a fraud a fraud, Ravenel and Rosemond systematically clear up misconceptions, highlight hidden truths and answer every question you could possibly have. The style of writing is conversational but passionate, stern but with great humor. I found myself alternatively laughing and crying my way through the chapters.
The second half of the book offers sure-fire methods for raising children with (or without) ADHD. In fact, the authors offer real life examples of children who never showed their symptoms again after the parents made recommended changes. My years "in the trenches" with hundreds of children and families have shown me that the methods suggested here will make life immeasurably more sane for all families, with or without any imbalances.
Of course there's no book I agree with 100% so I'd be remiss if I didn't mention a couple places where I take issue with the authors. There's a small section on potty training that I feel reflects their lack of direct experience with the subject. As someone who has gone through potty training with more children than I can remember, I would suggest the authors have placed the exact unrealistic expectations on mothers in this area that they criticize other professionals for doing in academic achievement. There are some places where the wisdom of the grandmothers does not translate and this is one of them. I've heard that in Rosemond's other books he gives advice more to my liking and I look forward to reviewing them in the future.
The other topics I had a hard time swallowing were the review of how reading was taught and the recommendations for regulating television viewing. While I agree these topics are problematic, I think the details may warrant discussion and personalization, since schools and families are so unique. But these complaints refer to a handful of pages in a 250 page book that I cannot recommend too highly.
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18 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Agree with "ideas", but there are exceptions, October 14, 2008
This review is from: The Diseasing of America's Children: Exposing the ADHD Fiasco and Empowering Parents to Take Back Control (Hardcover)
I was so excited when this book arrived and read through it very quickly. I was desperately looking for information to help my 7-year old (diagnosed with Tourette's Syndrome, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and ADHD). The reason I sped through the book is because I was trying to get to the "good part". I wanted specific information on how I can help my son pay attention in class, keep his hands to himself and improve in reading and spelling without putting him on drugs. Unfortunately, 90% of the book is written to convince the reader that there is no such thing as ADHD or ADD, etc. I already agree that these "diseases" are over-diagnosed but as a parent and schoolteacher whether they have an actual disease or not doesn't take away the "symptoms". The 10% of the book that referred to success stories really didn't benefit my situation. My husband and I are both educators, we have raised our child with traditional discipline, we eat mostly organic vegetables (grass-fed, organic beef), very limited sugar/processed foods, little to no TV or video-games during the school year and he goes to a non-denominational, phonics-teaching private school. We are already trying all the things that should have produced the "honor-roll" poster child. But, after reading the book, I cannot say that I learned anything new to apply. It would be a good read for couples before they have children or if their children are still young.
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13 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must read for every parent, teacher and clinician., January 18, 2009
This review is from: The Diseasing of America's Children: Exposing the ADHD Fiasco and Empowering Parents to Take Back Control (Hardcover)
I work in a community mental health center and I and my colleagues are shocked at the number of parents who have been told by their child's teachers that their child needs to be on medication. Unfortunately these well informed teachers and principals are basically ignorant about this overblown illness of ADHD and Bi-Polar disorder. The number of pre-school and elementary students who are on multiple mood altering medications is frightening. Those who advocate it so much are completely unaware of the long term consequences of these medications. They are also ignorant of the fact that the few studies which prove a benefit for these medications are far outnumbered by the studies which indicate no positive benefit and even negative benefit.
The second half of Rosemond's book offers a cure for ADHD, Bi-Polar Disorder, Childhood obesity, Childhood diabetes and declining school performance. (The author does not state this it is my conclusion). The quality of adult management (parents, teachers, counselors, Doctors, juvenile justice) of children over the past 30 years has deteriorated into absolute absurdity. Our society appears to have developed an aversion to the word NO. As a result we have reared the most spoiled children ever, even the so called poor children are spoiled. They have no responsibilities, they make no contribution to their families or their communities and consequences are meaningless to them.
Until as a society we are willing to return to the fundamentals of parenting and teaching, our children will continue to be the defenseless pharmaceutical guinea pigs of a society which has abdicated its responsibilities.
Everyone who works with children should read this book
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