Putting on the Brakes: Yound People's Guide to Understanding Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder [Hardcover]

Patricia O. Quinn (Author), Judith Stern (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2001

When young people learn they have attention deficit hyperactivity diso rder (ADHD), they often have many questions, doubts, and fears. Writte n from both a pediatric and an educational perspective, this highly su ccessful book-now available in a new edition-attempts to address these questions and needs. Inducted into the CHADD Hall of Fame in 2000, AD D and ADHD specialists Patricia O. Quinn and Judith Stern have revised and expanded Putting on the Brakes, including a thoroughly updated ch apter on the latest advances in medications and recommended treatment programs that help children manage their disorder.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-8-- A simple presentation that explains what ADHD is and offers ways for its victims to gain control of their lives. Short chapters, numerous black-and-white photographs and drawings, lists, wide margins, and large type will entice children to read the book from cover to cover. The authors' suggestions are practical and clearly described. Children who have ADHD will gain self-confidence from the information presented here; anyone who knows someone who has it will be encouraged and reassured. A practical purchase for public and school libraries. --Dona Weisman, Northeast Texas Library System, Garland
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"This book is superb in every aspect." -- Alan Zametkin, MD, Senior Staff Psychiatrist, National Institute of Mental Health --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 80 pages
• Publisher: Magination Press; Revised edition (January 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557988323
• ISBN-13: 978-1557988324
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 6.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,457,342 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

55 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book moved me to tears, December 4, 2003

By 

C. S. WHITMORE "curlykidz" (Phoenix, AZ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Putting on the Brakes: Young People's Guide to Understanding Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (Paperback)

I came across this book in a local children's hospital resource library. The first page describes a speeding race car with no brakes, and how it might go off the road or even crash. Page two goes on to draw a parellel between this race car, and and explains that having ADHD is a lot like being a race car with no brakes, 'You have a great engine with lots of thinking power, and a good, strong body, but no brakes'. I broke down crying right there in the middle of the library - it was like finally getting inside my child's head and knowing how he feels and why he just doesn't seem to know when to quit.

As my son and I read it together, he was also drawn in by these parallels, and fascinated by the sections that explain how the brain works, and the theories behind what causes neurobiological ADHD (as opposed to other possible causes of ADHD, like head trauma, lead exposure, etc). He is seven, and there were several words he was not familiar with, but the book explains 'synapses' and 'neurotransmitters' well, and a brief explanation from me on other vocab words was all it took for him to grasp the concepts.

41 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Putting on the Brakes, October 14, 2000

By 

Lisa Patterson (Andalusia, AL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Putting on the Brakes: Young People's Guide to Understanding Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (Paperback)

A very good book for children with ADHD. It's easy to read and gets to the point, something all ADHD children need. It explains what ADHD is, that others have the same problems, and how it effects their home and school lives. It gives some wonder information about how they can help theirselves. I have read it to both my children with ADHD as well as ADHD children I work with and they all enjoy it, and can relate to it.

45 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Powerful Resource for the Parents of ADHD Kids!, September 29, 2001

By 

Edward L. Schultz (Allentown, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Putting on the Brakes: Young People's Guide to Understanding Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (Paperback)

One of the most difficult things about parenting an ADHD child is explaining attention deficit disorder to that child. Patricia Quinn and associates have given a powerful resource to these parents - a true gift to empower them. In simple language, illustrated with eye-catching graphics, PUTTING ON THE BRAKES explains not only the nature of this disorder, but also how children and their families can learn to manage it. As an ADD Coach, I find this to be the most important resource that I can put into the hands of parents.