The ADD & ADHD Answer Book: Professional Answers to 275 of the Top Questions Parents Ask (Paperback)

by Susan Ashley (Author) "Before we can begin to answer the many questions about ADD and ADHD, it is important to learn the terminology and understand the difference between..." (more)
Key Phrases: social skills group therapy, social skills therapy, academic achievement test scores, Conduct Disorder, Developmental Coordination Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
--What can I do to help my child now?
--What are the symptoms of ADD?
--What questions will the doctor ask me about my child?
--Do children with AD/HD qualify for special education?
--Should I medicate my child?

ADD and ADHD are estimated to affect at least 3 to 7 percent of school-age children and the amount of information available on the subject can be overwhelming, confusing and oftentimes, conflicting. The ADD & ADHD Answer Book is a reassuring, authoritative reference for you and your family, providing sound advice and immediate answers to your most pressing questions. The book also includes questionnaires and checklists to help you get the most out of your child's evaluation.

Written in an easy-to-read question and answer format, The ADD & ADHD Answer Book helps you understand your child's illness and develop a plan to help them succeed.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Excerpt from Chapter 1:

The ADD and ADHD Answer Book gives you the answers to your important questions. Over fifteen years in private practice specializing in evaluating and treating AD/HD has given me the inside perspective of what parents really want to know. The answers in this book are the same answers I would give to you if we were having a face-to-face consultation in my office. The answers are based on the current research and state-of-the-art psychological techniques.

This book differs from all other books about AD/HD because, like a dictionary, this book can be used as a reference. Over the years, as your child progresses through the various stages of this disorder, you will have The ADD and ADHD Answer Book on your reference shelf to find the answers to your new questions.

The ADD and ADHD Answer Book will transform you into a well-informed consumer. You will have extensive knowledge direct from a child psychologist who specializes in AD/HD. You will have straightforward, no holds barred, honest information about what you are likely to face over the years in raising your child with AD/HD. You will have the most current information based on research and clinical practice.

In writing The ADD and ADHD Answer Book, it is my hope that it becomes your guidebook and that you will use it frequently. I hope that you will turn to this book each time you have a question. It is my wish that you will use the numerous techniques in this book that I, and many child psychologists, have used over the years in treating children with AD/HD. I hope that you find the inspiration to apply the techniques, despite the tireless effort it requires on your part. While some of your reward for your hard work will come in the days, weeks, and months ahead, your true reward will come in the years ahead when you see your child succeed in school, find his place with friends, like who he has become, and find a passion in life that he can make his life's work.

- What are the three types of ADD and ADHD?
- What are the symptoms of ADD?
- What does an ADD child look like in daily life?
- What other symptoms are associated with ADD?
- What are the symptoms of ADHD?
- What does an ADHD child look like in daily life?
- What other symptoms are associated with ADHD?
- How is the ADD child different from the ADHD child?
- Are ADD and ADHD real disorders?
- Is AD/HD over-diagnosed?
- Doesn't every child have symptoms of AD/HD?
- How can it be AD/HD when he can play video games for hours?
- Is there a difference between boys and girls who have AD/HD?
- Is AD/HD caused by something in the brain?
- Is AD/HD genetic?
- Can poor parenting cause AD/HD?
- What effect does the family environment have on AD/HD?
- Does watching television cause AD/HD?
- Do sugar and food allergies cause AD/HD?
- What other causes of AD/HD are suspected?
- Is there a cure for AD/HD?
- How is AD/HD treated?
- What can behavior modification do to help AD/HD?
- What can family therapy do to help?
- What can social skills group therapy do to help?
- What can individual therapy do to help?
- What treatments do not work?
- What should parents know when selecting treatment?

What are the three types of ADD and ADHD?
Before we can begin to answer the many questions about ADD and ADHD, it is important to learn the terminology and understand the difference between the language that parents use and the language you will hear from doctors.

The terminology of ADD and ADHD are defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV-TR published by the American Psychiatric Association. ADD and ADHD have had various labels over the years, including minimal brain dysfunction and hyperkinesis. The current terminology for both ADD and ADHD is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

There are three types of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder:
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Primarily Inattentive Type. Children who have this type are inattentive and distractible. Even though the word "hyperactivity" is included in the label, there is no hyperactivity. This type is commonly called ADD.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Primarily Hyperactive-Impulsive Type. Children with this disorder are overactive and impulsive. This type is most often called ADHD.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Combined Type. These children are inattentive and distractible, as well as hyperactive and impulsive. This type is also referred to as ADHD.

What are the symptoms of ADD?
ADD is the inattentive type of ADHD. Children with ADD have six or more of the following symptoms, some of which start before they reach seven years of age:

- Forgetful in daily activities
- Poor attention to details and careless mistakes in schoolwork and homework
- Easily distracted by extraneous stimuli
- Trouble sustaining attention
- Loses things necessary for tasks or activities
- Dislikes and is reluctant to exert sustained mental effort
- Does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish chores and schoolwork
- Difficulty organizing tasks and activities
- Does not seem to listen when spoken to directly

Because toddlers and early elementary school children are not expected to sustain attention for long periods, or to keep track of their own belongings, ADD often does not become problematic until third or fourth grade when children are expected to function more independently.

Symptoms must be present for at least six months and appear in more than one setting. Children's symptoms are most commonly seen at home and at school, but they are also likely to show up in other settings where attention is needed such as church or temple, music lessons, and sport activities.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks, Inc. (September 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 140220549X
• ISBN-13: 978-1402205491
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #52,566 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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

  #33 in	Books > Parenting & Families > Special Needs > Disabilities
  #50 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Personal Health > Children's Health > Learning Disorders
  #98 in	Books > Science > Behavioral Sciences > Behavioral Psychology

• This item is part of The Answer Book Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stop looking for a magic answer....this books tells you what to do!, October 13, 2005

By	Iliana (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

After spending many years, thousands of dollars, countless hours and many wasted emotions of hope on supposed cures, I find it a relief to read the truth in this book. Fact of the matter is, there is no cure for ADD or ADHD and this books tells you like it is, which is basically that we as parents have to get down to learning the appropriate ways to help our children and quit looking for the easy solution in a pill, a brain machine or an herbal remedy. This book has given many different ways that I can help my child and I wished I'd had it years ago.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best I've read, September 24, 2005

By	Carla S. Hix (Pasadena, California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is one of the best books on ADD and ADHD that I have read. As a professional in the field, I will be recommending this book to the families I work with. It addresses all the questions that come up in the course of treatment. Packed with the latest research yet easy to read.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I have read other books but this one is the best!, October 13, 2005

By	Pat - See all my reviews

I read a book by an author that was on Dr. Phil and I was surprised that his advice contradicted that of my child's doctor. Our behaviorist's strategies worked much better. Much of what is in this book is what we did; I picked it up and I learned a few new things. I'm careful not to loan it too often because it seems that everyone is now asking for it. And I don't want to lose it. Hands down, I would recommend this title to anyone who needs quick information about what's going on, who to see and what to do."

Pat