The ADHD Parenting Handbook: Practical Advice for Parents from Parents (Paperback)

by Colleen Alexander-Roberts (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
This well-written book provides guidelines, suggestions, and advice to help parents interact with their children who have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Although opening chapters define the ADHD symptoms and resources for the parent, the major focus is on preventing (or managing) misbehavior, working with teachers, and providing a stable and nurturing family atmosphere for the family of the ADHD child-both parents and siblings. Many of the recommendations and tips come from other parents as well as pediatricians, counselors, and teachers. Alexander-Roberts wisely stresses that every ADHD child reacts differently and that many techniques may be needed to parent the child. An appendix lists further reading and helpful support organizations. Though numerous books have been written on ADHD in recent years, such as The Hyperactive Child Book (LJ 3/1/93) and A Parent's Guide to Attention Deficit Disorders (LJ 10/1/91), this work stands out as a family management guide. Highly recommended for parenting collections in all public libraries.
Kay Brodie, Chesapeake Coll., Wye Mills, Md.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD, aka ADD) affects a huge number of children; the estimates of experts are truly impressive--five million school-age children and 5 to 10 percent of the general population. Subtitled "Practical Advice for Parents from Parents," here's a book filled with the experiences of hundreds of parents of ADHD children gathered via surveys by the author. ADHD, a condition marked by distractibility and impulsive and related behavioral symptoms, is defined briefly, and insight into the diagnostic process follows. Then, the author focuses on management techniques that a family and child can utilize to survive everyday life--morning activities, homework, peer relations, summer-vacation blues. Tips from educators and other professionals are tucked in, especially throughout the lengthy chapter on school and teachers. Appended, along with a bibliography, is a list of ADHD organizations. Denise Perry Donavin

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Taylor Trade Publishing (October 25, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0878338624
• ISBN-13: 978-0878338627
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #29,268 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #6 in	Books > Parenting & Families > Reference
  #22 in	Books > Parenting & Families > Special Needs > Disabilities
  #25 in	Books > Parenting & Families > Special Needs > Hyperactivity

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

82 of 82 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The author must have spent a day with my kid, January 13, 2000

By A Customer

If you don't believe that ADHD exists or that your kid could actually have it read this book! Through hundreds of interviews of parents coping with the agonizing and frustrating task of raising a difficult child it becomes easy to recognize and understand the universal symptoms and challenges of ADHD.

For myself this book is truly the BIBLE of parenting. There is advice to help with school mornings, bedtime, and bathtime, eating out at restaurants, tantrums, travelling with your child and trying to talk on the phone when your son or daughter is in the house.

In the chapter Problems That Drive You Wild, some of the case studies and references were described with such clarity that I had to ask myself, "Did these people spend an afternoon with my daughter?" What is very important, is that the author encourages each parent to modify the suggestions for their own particular child and family situation. I have found Books by many Professionals who have not had the experience of dealing with an ADHD child to be very limited in scope.

There are extensive resources for interfacing with your child's school and advocating for their academic success. You are actually helped walk through the maze of educational bureaucracy.

This is probably the ONLY book that I myself have read that gives you strategies for feeding your child while they are taking medication for ADHD. If your child has shown a dramatic improvement while on medication this will be very important to you.

I only wish that I had found this book three years ago, when I realized that my child had special needs. Yet one can not look back; I hope that those of you who are reading this review will benefit by the knowledge it can provide you.

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly Recommended, July 5, 2001

By A Customer

As a parent of a six-year-old with ADHD, I highly recommend this book to all parents of children up to age 10 that have ADHD. It's easy for a doctor, social worker, etc., to tell you how to raise a child with ADHD, but there is nothing like getting tips and suggestions from other parents who live with an ADHD child. Ms. Alexander-Roberts has written a marvelous, infomative book that should be read by ALL parents struggling to raise a child with ADHD.

This book, written by Colleen Alexander-Roberts, is based on her actual parenting experiences--both what works and what doesn't work. Not only does she give the reader many tips and suggestions that work, she also gives the readers tips and advice from other parents.

The book "The ADHD Parenting Handbook" should be on the shelve in every parents home. Yes, it's that good. In fact, I saw it on the bookshelve in the office of my son's therapist. When I asked about the book, the therapist said that she highly recommended that my wife and I read it. We're so glad she did because it has became OUR BIBLE on ADHD and parenting.

Thank you, Colleen, for taking the time to share your real life experience with readers such as myself. It's obvious that you wrote this book for parents just like my wife and myself.

This is one book every parent should read.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the author must have spent a day with my kid, January 13, 2000

By A Customer

If you don't believe that ADHD exists or that your kid could actually have it read this book!

Through hundreds of interviews of parents coping with the agonizing and frustrating task of raising a difficult child it becomes easy to recognize and understand the universal symptoms and challenges of ADHD.

For myself this book is truly the BIBLE of parenting. There is advice to help with school mornings, bedtime, and bathtime, eating out at restaurants, tantrums, travelling with your child and trying to talk on the phone when your son or daughter is in the house.

In the chapter Problems That Drive You Wild, some of the case studies and references were described with such clarity that I had to ask myself, Did these people spend an afternoon with my daughter? What is very important, is that the author encourages each parent to modify the suggestions for their own particular child and family situation. I have found Books by many Professionals who have not had the experience of dealing with an ADHD child to be very limited in scope.

There are extensive resources for interfacing with your child's school and advocating for their academic success. You are actually helped walk through the maze of educational bureaucracy.

This is probably the ONLY book that I myself have read that gives you strategies for feeding your child while they are taking medication for ADHD. If your child has shown a dramatic improvement while on medication this will be very important to you.

I only wish that I had found this book three years ago, when I realized that my child had special needs. Yet one can not look back; I hope that those of you who are reading this review will benefit by the knowledge it can provide you.