Willie: Raising and Loving a Child with Attention Deficit Disorder [Paperback]

Ann Colin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1998

The story of Willie is the story of an intelligent, creative, healthy child who, as his mother says, is "wired" a little differently from other people. Nearly ten percent of school-aged children are diagnosed with ADD-Attention Deficit Disorder-and the condition has vaulted into the public awareness. Now, for the first time, a mother speaks out about the day-to-day realities of life with a child with ADD. This honest, moving, heartwrenching, and joyful account of Willie's first five years details a dizzying parade of doctors, schools, treatments, and therapies, and the inevitable emotional seesaw that ensued. Through the insensitivity of a preschool staff to the psychologist who labeled Willie "brain-damaged," Ann and her husband searched for the key to Willie's bouts of belligerence and excitability, strengthened by their love for him, and by their belief in their son's ability to overcome these challenges. Their-and Willie's-ultimate triumph is an inspiration and a lifesaver for a family facing ADD or any other crisis.
* The Viking hardcover edition was serialized in Parents magazine
* ADD is one of the most prevalent dilemmas affecting children (as well as adult children) today

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is the most commonly diagnosed psychiatric illness among children. An estimated 10 percent of school-age boys are currently on Ritalin. At age four, Ann Colin's son Willie was charming, bright, belligerent ... and kicked out of preschool. Willie, written in the form of a journal, is an interesting and often moving story about parenting an ADD child--diagnosis problems, psychiatrists, drug trials. Colin, writing from the perspective of a middle-class Manhattanite who wants Willie to achieve, moves from fear and uncertainty to finding the care and school situation that is right for him. She asks, "What is normal and by whose definition?" --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

A former editor of McCall's magazine and mother of two comforts other parents of children whose only constant is their unpredictability. Her son Willie, born in 1989, is alternately bouncy and distant, gifted and obnoxious. Colin kept a journal of his early life, in which she noted that Willie "never stays within the lines." He also gets kicked out of nursery school, only to learn, with the help of resources including Ritalin, therapy, parental perseverance and "shadows" (companions at school), how to work with others and how to be safe on the street unattended. This book excels as practical advice to parents of potential ADD children by showing how to take vacations anyway and how to wade through the ADD establishment. With up to 10% of school-age American children possibly affected by the condition, this book will be a valuable diagnostic tool for parents who fear both ADD and those who over-diagnose it.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics) (February 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140249087
• ISBN-13: 978-0140249088
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,454,661 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #64 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Personal Health > Children's Health > Learning Disorders

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for families who struggle with ADD, August 24, 2000

By 

Kelly Jolet, MD (Austin, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Willie: Raising and Loving a Child with Attention Deficit Disorder (Paperback)

I am a mom of a similar little boy with ADD and horrible experiences in "wonderful" preschools. I am so glad that Ann shared the story of Willie & his family. It is a moving, accurate and compelling story for anyone struggling to help their child feel good about themselves despite unacceptable behavior. My favorite line from the book relates precisely how I feel about my son, "buried treasure: Willie's true angelic sweetness, hidden deep under his symptoms." I am also a Pediatrician who knew how to make a diagnosis and start him on medication, but I am only now learning how deeply I have hurt for and with my son as he tried to be a "good boy" but simply couldn't sometimes. I recommend this to my patients' parents, and am grateful for Ann's sharing and Willie's courage.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An inside look at life with a child with ADHD, March 30, 2000

By 

Terri Austin - See all my reviews

This review is from: Willie: Raising and Loving a Child with Attention Deficit Disorder (Paperback)

This was a very close-up look at the day-to-day life of a mother and her ADHD child. The author uses journal entries to track the frustration, worries, behavioral difficulties and lack of acceptance she and her son face. As the parent of a child with ADHD, I felt that this book was telling my son's story. It was very specific and accurate, not biased towards or against medication, and it presented a personal view of a very pervasive and painful disorder for both child and parent. I would recommend this book highly to anyone who wonders if their preschooler has ADHD, to professionals who doubt the significance of ADHD and to others who would like to know what life is really like for families like the author's and mine without all of the media hype and controversy. A very readable and touching story.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great giver of information and very readable, November 22, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Willie: Raising and Loving a Child with Attention Deficit Disorder (Paperback)

I absolutely loved this book. It gives an excellent first person view of what is it like living with a child with ADD. The reader follows the mother (the narrator) through her journal entries about coming to discover that her little boy had ADD, and finally getting a correct diagnoses, and then finally finding a school that catered to his specific learning style.