The Survival Guide for Kids with ADD or ADHD [Paperback]

John F. Taylor Ph.D. (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

What are ADD and ADHD? What does it mean to have ADD and ADHD? How can kids diagnosed with ADD and ADHD help themselves succeed in school, get along better at home, and form healthy, enjoyable relationships with peers? In kid-friendly language and a format that welcomes reluctant and easily distracted readers, Free Spirit’s newest survival guide helps kids know they’re not alone and offers practical strategies for taking care of oneself, modifying behavior, enjoying school, having fun, and dealing (when needed) with doctors, counselors, and medication. Includes real-life scenarios, quizzes, and a special message for parents.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-5–Packed with good advice, this guide will catch readers' eyes with its bright cover, varied fonts, and cartoon-style illustrations. The writing is clear and kid-friendly, parceled out in short sentences and contained in sections under highlighted headings. Chapters cover such topics as medications, getting along at home, making friends, and succeeding at school. Although specifically geared toward the child with ADD/ADHD, the book would be most effective if read with a caring adult or counselor. The author explains how to follow a homework routine and use timers, colored folders, and other organizational tools, but it is doubtful that children who struggle with ADD will be able to implement these wonderful suggestions on their own. Having the directions in one concrete place is perhaps the most helpful aspect of this book. It should be read one section at a time and reread numerous times to have the maximum effect. A useful tool for families who are dealing with the myriad issues associated with ADD/ADHD.–Wendy Smith-D'Arezzo, Loyola College, Baltimore, MD
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Review

"Packed with good advice...A useful tool for families who are dealing with the myriad issues associated with ADD/ADHD."
—School Library Journal

"This upbeat book gives plenty of positive reinforcements and focuses on managing life now."
—Voice of Youth Advocates

"This book covers in one chapter what took me years to figure out. If you have ADD, The Survival Guide is for you."
—ADDitude Magazine

 “Do you know a kid struggling with ADHD? The Survival Guide is a book about them, for them. In simple, understandable language, Dr. Taylor provides concrete information and tips on the ADD/HD diagnosis, school, family, friends, emotions, and even ideas for a healthy diet. This is an empowering book for young people and is loaded with ideas, resources and some humor.” —YouthWorker Journal

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Free Spirit Publishing; 1 edition (March 15, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 157542195X
• ISBN-13: 978-1575421957
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.4 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,850 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #6 in Books > Children's Books > Social Situations > Special Needs
  • #8 in Books > Children's Books > Social Situations > Social Skills
  • #16 in Books > Children's Books > Education & Reference > School & Education

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

56 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buy this book!, January 27, 2008

By 

Lorel Shea (New England) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Survival Guide for Kids with ADD or ADHD (Paperback)

The Survival Guide for Kids With ADD or ADHD is very practical and user friendly. There are eight well defined chapters, beginning with "What is ADHD?" and ending with "Eight Ways to Deal with Strong Feelings". A glossary helps with clinical vocabulary, and there are many reproducible pages that can be useful in tracking progress and understanding which traits are most troublesome for the reader.

John F. Taylor, the author, presents attention issues to the reader as a challenge, but not as an insurmountable obstacle or an excuse for bad behavior or poor academic performance. Taylor is a PhD and founder of ADD Plus, an organization dedicated to helping individuals and families affected by ADD or ADHD. He is the father of three ADD kids.

Taylor spells it out for kids who may get a lot of negative messages. "...Having ADHD doesn't mean you are stupid, lazy, crazy, bad, or ill. It means that there are some differences in the way your brain works that make you show some ADHD traits." Chapter end quizzes reinforce each section in a lighthearted manner. At the end of chapter one, for instance:

"Sam has ADHD and thinks that reading books is boring. What can Sam learn from reading this book?"

A. How to speak with aliens from a planet named Zatar
B. Where to find a stash of buried treasure
C.Ways to deal with ADHD at school, at home, and with friends

There are many effective coping skills that kids can learn that may offset the need for medication or enhance pharmaceutical treatment. The KITE decision making plan is one such tool. K is for knowing the situation, I for identifying choices, T for try the best plan, and E is for evaluation of how things went. KITE and other strategies are discussed in detail, so kids can work on making positive changes.

I particularly appreciate the information on the importance of diet. Chapter four is entirely about diet and how it can affect mood and behavior. Many children with ADD seem to be very sensitive to food dyes and preservatives which can exacerbate attention problems. Just drinking more water may help with concentration, and the author suggests that even a few small changes may be beneficial.

I find this a very wise and accessible book for kids 6-12. There are tips for staying organized, getting to sleep, and getting along with others. Links for ADD related web sites are provided as well. I'm very pleased to recommend this book, brought to us by the very astute and child friendly people at Free Spirit Publishing.

37 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great parent/child dialogue, January 3, 2007

By 

Mary E. Joy (Hesperia, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Survival Guide for Kids with ADD or ADHD (Paperback)

I am a therapist involved with identifying kids with learning problems and assisting them and their families in dealing with their special needs. This little book has proved very useful in helping parents work with their child in acquiring skills to deal with teachers, other students and members of their own families. It frames AD/HD in a more positive light and offers practical strategies for answering questions that others ask and help the child themselves understand that the diagnosis of AD/HD is not "the end of the world!" It is more geared towards elementary age and uses artwork and reading level that appeals to this age group. The reasonable cost and small format makes distributing this book to all my clients possible.

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars good book, March 10, 2007

By 

L. Denney (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Survival Guide for Kids with ADD or ADHD (Paperback)

My son with ADHD loves this book. It lists things that only fellow kids with ADHD could understand and really makes them feel "normal" and okay. Gives tons of suggestions for helping themselves out on tasks they struggle with.