Just Like His Father? [Perfect Paperback]

Liane J. Leedom (Author), M.D. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 3, 2006

Your child is at risk if he has biologic relatives with ADHD, addiction or antisocial behavior. Recent scientific studies have shown that often these conditions are transmitted genetically in families. About 50% of the risk for these conditions is genetic and 50% is related to a person's early environment. While you can't change your child's genetics you can provide him/her with an environment that protects him from developing these conditions. Dr. Leedom, author, psychiatrist and herself a mother gives you the tools you need to parent an at risk child and provide him/her with the best possible environment. Remember, your at risk child's needs may be different from those of other children!

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Liane J. Leedom, M.D. is a Board-Certified Psychiatrist and mother of an at risk child. Upon realizing that her own son is at risk, she researched the scientific literature to discover what is known about raising children with genetic risk. She developed a game plan for herself which she shares with parents in this pioneering new book.

Product Details

• Perfect Paperback: 245 pages
• Publisher: Health and Well-Being Publications, LLC (October 3, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0977801306
• ISBN-13: 978-0977801305
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,066,238 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Just Like His Genes?, December 5, 2006

By 

Dr. Richard G. Petty (Atlanta) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Just Like His Father? (Perfect Paperback)

This is a very interesting book that revolves around a crucially important discovery close to my own heart: that biology is not destiny.

Liane Leedom is a psychiatrist who gives a candid account about her realization that at least one of her own children had a strong genetic loading for sociopathic personality disorder and attention deficit disorder. So she set about plowing the scientific literature, as well as using her clinical experience to see whether there was any way to prevent the child from falling victim to a lifetime of personal problems.

The result is a large number of useful practical pieces of advice about helping the child, adolescent and adult at risk of developing a specific psychiatric problem with a strong genetic component. The text is broken up by a great many nicely chosen and appropriate illustrations.

Liane talks about an interesting model, which is that the core problems of antisocial personality disorder are:
1. Poor impulse control
2. An inability to love
3. Poor moral reasoning

This is a novel and interesting way of thinking about the problem that developed out of study of twins that was published last year. None of us yet knows whether this model is accurate, but it does provide a useful framework for some of the advice that follows.

I like this book very much, so why only four stars? I fear that the first chapter may put off many people: it, and indeed much of the book is in serious need of an editor and a proofreader. Throughout the text she usually, but not always, uses bold type for "at risk" so it's difficult to work out why sometimes she does and sometimes she doesn't. Many other things are bolded so it gets a bit confusing.

I like that she has provided some scientific references to support her statements, but sadly they are rather disorganized. Some of the same scientific papers are cited several times and in some places single numbers refer to several citations. A lot of research is mentioned, but I kept wanting Liane to tell me what she thought and how the different pieces of research tied together.

This is a good book as it stands, but unless you really know the field, you may want to skim through the first chapter and head straight for the advice sections. With some editing, proofing and rearranging the book could be excellent.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Positive and supportive, January 8, 2007

By 

Anonymous - See all my reviews

This review is from: Just Like His Father? (Perfect Paperback)

Good parenting guide to understand, love and cope with a difficult child, or any child for that matter. Gives readers good positive reinforcement and redirect focus on the child while in a difficult situation, spiritually helpful.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GROUND BREAKING HELP IS NOW AVAILABLE, October 18, 2006

By 

Daryl W. Boughton (Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Just Like His Father? (Perfect Paperback)

BRAVO to Dr. Leedom!! Never before has such crucial, hands-on information been available to help parents and caregivers to be able to tackle the at-risk child. This easy to read book provides the steps to guide your child towards developing a caring, loving nature. Parents faced with the daunting task of "What do I do?" will have this step by step easy to do, common sense knowledge that only a professional parent caught in this same situation can provide. You will find the formulae to maximize the full potential of your child who may be at risk of ADHD, addictive and even Antisocial Personality Disorder traits and guide that child towards a normal life. No matter what age your child is, Dr. Leedom's book gives the parent the steps to hit the ground running in developing a child's potential. I was riveted by the information, research, motivated and inspired. You will love this book. Two thumbs up and 5 stars just aren't enough. This is a must-read for parents and professionals alike.