8. Understanding
Girls with AD/HD, Nadeau, Littman and Quinn This book discusses how
attention deficit disorder may manifest itself in girls from preschool to
late adolescence. The authors identify types of ADHD girls. Active girls
may act like tomboys. They may socialize with boys. They are active, and
may engage in impulsive escapades. Another group of girls shows their ADHD
by talkativeness and excessive socializing. They too may become involved
in risky behavior. Some girls with ADHD seem to fade into the background.
They are shy and inattentive. They may have few friends and are more
likely to be depressed. The last group is often escapes diagnosis until
adolescence or adulthood. These are the very smart girls who have the
ability to put in an extraordinary effort to hyper-focus. Adults see them
as achievers but are often unaware of the anxiety and extreme effort the
such girls use in order to compensate for their inattentiveness. Such
girls are often anxious and self-critical. This is an excellent resource
for parents and adolescents. I have only one criticism. The screening
checklists in each chapter are fairly non-specific. The lists highlight
the fact that ADHD may manifest itself differently in girls. However, some
of the items on the lists can be caused by other conditions.
9.ADD/ADHD Behavior-Change Resource
Kit
by Grad L. Flick
This book should be
extremely useful to parents and teachers who deal with children and teens with
AD/HD. It gives firm but compassionate guidelines on how to help create
positive behavioral change.
It gives specific, step-by-step instructions
on how to facilitate behavioral change. Although the book contains a number of
useful checklists and rating scales, the author does not fall into the trap of
"checklist rigidity." He uses these checklists flexibly within the
context of a rich understanding of the child and his environment.
I enjoyed his sections on how to
phrase commands in an assertive, not aggressive manner. The parent or teacher
is invited to rewrite some of his or her commands in a different style. The
author enlisted the help of child psychiatrists in writing the section on
medications. Thus, the medication chapter is more accurate and comprehensive
one finds in many books.
He gives lists of age-appropriate,
non-food (thank goodness!) reinforcers to help reward elementary, middle and
high school-aged students. The Appendix on neuropsychological reports gives an
overview that would help a parent understand how testing is done and how the
results might look.
Books
for AD/HD Children and Adolescents
- Otto Learns About His Medicine
by Matthew Galvin
This illustrated book talks about a young car who visits a special engine mechanic and
receives an engine treatment to help him run at the right speed. The author uses this
metaphor to explain the nature of ADHD, the process of getting a psychiatric evaluation
and good questions to ask about medication. The book is aimed at some elementary school
children and some pre-schoolers
-
Joey
Pigza Swallowed a Key, and
Joey Pigza Loses Control by Jack Gantos
Joey Pigza is a kind but impulsive, inattentive boy, living with his
divorced mother. In the first book, Joey is diagnosed with AD/HD. The author
deals humorously and sympathetically with Joey’s impulsivity and how it
gets him in trouble in school and at home.
Eventually Joey and his mother learn how to compensate through humor,
educational strategies and medication.
The
second book still retains some of the humor of the first, but deals with
more serious issues. Joey’s estranged father arranges to have Joey stay
with him for the summer. The father clearly has ADHD symptoms similar to
those of his son. Further, the father struggles with alcoholism and legal
problems. During the summer, he makes Joey stop he medication. In his father
Joey sees what he might have become. This second story deals with the very
serious issues of custody disputes, parental disagreement about medication,
alcoholism and its effect on a child with AD/HD. Some parents might want to
read this book with their older elementary school and middle school children
to explain some of these complex issues.

- Distant Drums, Different Drummers by Barbara Ingersoll, 1995(Reviewed
in the fall 97 issue of Hypertalk, the newsletter of Baltimore County CHADD)
This book is aimed at middle and high school students but appropriate for some elementary
school students. The author discusses the positive evolutionary aspects of ADHD. She also
discusses coping techniques and treatment.
-
Review by Nicole, age 10
Do you have ADHD and want to know more about it? The best book for you is Distant
Drums, Different Drummers by Barbara Ingersoll Ph.D.. This book is about the problems
ADHD kids might have and how to solve the problems. For instance, one of the solutions to
the problems is taking a medicine like Dexedrine or Ritalin. Another solution is to keep
your room really well organized, so that you can find everything easily. At the end of the
book is a self-assessment checklist with things such as: "I get along with my
mom", "I take turns and play fair", "I stick with my homework until
its done", and "I take care of my room and my belongings". You would
check off either no problem or needs work. Dr. Ingersoll is a very
good writer. This book tells almost every little detail that a child with ADHD might want
to know about, except not enough what is good about having ADHD, which is too bad.
The author is trying to write a book to teach children about their disorder.
The moral is no matter what color, race, or disorder, everyone can be friends if you
try. This book is wonderful, telling children scientific facts in an understandable
way that makes the facts un-boring. This book makes children feel good about themselves,
though they have the disorder. I try my hardest to have a few more criticisms for the
book, but I fail to think of even one more bad thing about the book. It tells how maybe
ADHD may be the living warrior of the past disorder. That could make almost any little boy
I know with ADHD feel much better about himself. This book is a wonderful book for any child who battles ADHD. This book is a
book that I recommend to especially little boys, this is because there are a few chapters
which are about age-old warriors, cavemen, and the Middle Ages. The beginning of the book
is for either girls or boys. Adolescents may like the book, but there is a pretty good
chance that they will not want to read this book. That is because this book seems to be
mostly aimed at younger-than-adolescents. The second bad thing about the book is that
through the whole book the author writes ADHD, when some of the people who
read the book might have only Attention Deficit Disorder, or ADD. I think that the writer
should have written "Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or Attention Deficit
Disorder". That was only a small part of the book though. Still, my over all summary
is: Outstanding!
- Eagle Eyes (A childs guide to paying attention) 1991 by Jeanne
Gehret
This book, aimed at elementary and some middle school students, It tells the story of a
boy who becomes discouraged by his difficulties with attention and organization. He
benefits from evaluation and treatment. Eventually, he comes to see the advantages of some
of his special characteristics. (See Ms. Gehrets book about Bens sister under
"Sibling Issues."
- Putting on the Brakes
by Quinn and Stern (1991)
This book has become something of a classic during its short existence. It explains, for
the older elementary school and middle school child, the definition of ADHD, and gives
information about how to improve problem areas, such as disorganization. There is a useful
appendix containing information for parents. Parents and children can use this book
together. The authors also publish a newsletter for children with AD/HD
-
My
Brother’s a World Class Pain: A
Sibling’s Guide to ADHD/Hyperactivity by Gordon (1992)
This would be a much better book if the author would change the title. While
the title may accurately reflect the feelings of some siblings, the book
might get left around and generate some hurt feelings. Because of this, I do
not keep it in my waiting room. Once past the title, the book has wonderful,
amusing illustrations and the text keeps elementary school siblings
interested. The sister eventually does come to appreciate her brother, but
kids keep coming back to that title
-
I’m
Somebody Too
by Gehret
(1992)
Those who have read Eagle Eyes by the same author will recognize
Emily, Ben’s older sister. It is aimed at an older elementary school or
middle school child. Emily feels that her parents are ignoring her and
expecting her to maintain perfect behavior so that they can deal with Ben.
Emily and the family work with Ben’s therapist to gain an understanding of
Emily’s own needs. This book may also be useful for other girls who feel
that their families expect them to be too perfect.
- Learning to Slow Down and Pay Attention
by Nadeau and Dixon
This book is appropriate for younger elementary school aged children and some older
children who have short attention spans. This book is fast paced and funny. It discusses
the symptoms of ADHD and some possible solutions. I liked it because it can be read
on more than one level. A parent could first read it to a child, and the child could
subsequently either read the entire text, or more likely, read the cartoons and their
captions. This book received the enthusiastic approval of a seven year old. Although he
certainly could have read the entire text, I think that when he was up in his bedroom, he
read and reread the cartoon.
-
Review by Nicole, age 10. The book, Learning to Slow Down and Pay Attention, by Kathleen G.
Nadeau, Ph.D. and Ellen B. Dixon, Ph.D., and illustrated by John R. Rose is a wonderful
book for children with ADHD. This book is especially for children ages five to ten. This
book gives children a checklist of their problems, and tells how to solve them. Also,
since children with ADHD have a short attention span, there are fun games scattered
through the book. These games help children with ADHD to stick to the book. There is no
point in getting a book if people put it down after only a chapter. I think it might be
good to photocopy the games in the book so that you can do all of the games and just photo
copy it again when you want to do the games again. I really liked the wonderful cartoons
that relate to the text. These will also help children keep reading the book. This is a
great book, and I recommend it to all children who have ADD or ADHD, or are being
diagnosed for it.
11. The First Star I See by
Jaye Andras Cattrey
Review by Nicole, age ten
First Star I See by Jaye Andras Cattrey was a four
star book. It was a charming novel for 2nd 5th graders. It
won an "American Bookseller Pick of the Lists" prize. The main character, Paige, has previously been diagnosed with ADD. She
daydreams all the time during class, so much in fact, that her classmates call her
"spacey." Her class is having a competition to see who can write the best paper on a
space subject that they are assigned. She is absent-minded, so that she forgets about her
paper until it becomes an urgent priority. Meanwhile, her dog is stealing toys from children. Usually innocent children
too. While trying to steal the neighbors cats toy, the dog almost drowns.
Paiges dog provides distraction for her when she least wants it. This book is good for girls because they will see in it a character like
themselves. They can realize that they arent the only person in the world with ADD.
They will find that they can succeed with ADD, and that you dont have to be the
perfect student to get what you want. I would recommend this book for psychiatrists and social workers to have in
their office. It provides something and someone for the children to relate to. Personally
I thought that the book was wonderful and would be a good addition to an ADD-childs
library.
12. That's What Kids
Are For by Barbara Roberts (Advantage books, 1998)
Phoebe is an enthusiastic, creative girl. Because of her high activity level, she has has to struggle to pay attention in class, and has only one good friend. Girls with hyperactive AD/HD as well as other active kids may see something of themselves in Phoebe.
Phoebe's principal and her mother are sympathetic but also help Phoebe see that she has some responsibilities for her actions. In the end, Phoebe's energy and daring make her the class heroine. She takes quick action to rescue the class pet.
This book is uses superb, sensitive illustrations to follow the text. I especially liked how the pictures conveyed the strong bond of affection
between Phoebe and her mother. In the story, Phoebe is never formally identified as having AD/HD. I like having such a book because it can be used to explore behaviors without limiting ourselves to a specific diagnosis.
Books Dealing with Adult AD/HD

-
Attention
Deficit Disorder: A Different Perceptive
by
Thom Hartmann (1993)
Mr. Hartmann has a unique view of AD/HD. He sees it as a valid cluster of
personality traits that have only become problematic as our society has shifted
to a more sedentary, detail-oriented lifestyle. He suggests that society should
value people with AD/HD because their "action-oriented" style can be
useful in the right situation or the right job. He advocates special learning
environments for AD/HD children. This book raises the interesting question of
how much an individual should conform to society and how much society should
make efforts to accommodate individual differences
-
Unlocking
Potential: College and other Choice for People with LD and AD/HD, second
edition ed
by Taymans, West and Sullivan, Woodbine House, 2000.
This book is a useful resource for older high school students and young
adults dealing with the transition between adolescence and adulthood. Each
chapter is readable and dispenses with long details. At the end of each
chapter is a list of resources relevant to the issues addressed in the
chapter. The book addresses how individuals with learning disabilities and
AD/HD can deal constructively with college and work. There are chapters on
legal issues, psychological testing, educational strategies and job choices.
I have only one criticism of this excellent book. There should have been
some medical input on the section on AD/HD. The brief section on medication
was clearly not written by a psychiatrist.
-
Moms
with ADD: A Self-Help Manual. by Christine A. Adamec
I
had mixed feelings about this book. Many parts of this book would be quite
useful for a mother with mild AD/HD. The author does a good job of dealing
with the family interactions that can occur when more than one family member
has AD/HD.
It
can be difficult for any parent to attend to the needs of a child with
AD/HD. The author makes suggestions for simplifying behavioral plans and
household routines. She talks about how a mother with AD/HD responds
differently to her children with and without AD/HD. She addresses
relationship pitfalls between an AD/HD mother and her non-AD/HD child.
However,
I had concerns about some of the material in Parts 3 and 4. She lists
certain types of abusive behavior that make one a “bad mother.” I think
that she was trying to make a point that most mothers with AD/HD are good
mothers. She seems to cast aside any mother who has ever engaged in abusive
behavior. “Bad mother” is the last type of label such mothers need! How
many AD/HD women have come close to hitting a child but stopped just in
time? Those women should be thankful that someone along the line gave them
enough nurturance and support so that they could stop themselves. When we
see abuse, we should say, “There but for the grace of God go I.” We
should take whatever action is necessary, but we should do it out of love
and concern.
In
Part 4, Getting Outside Help, there were many good points. However as a
psychiatrist, I feel that her depiction of our profession is not entirely
accurate. She wrote, “Most doctors, including psychiatrists, don’t like
treating severely mentally ill people and prefer to treat people with less
severe mental disorders.” Yes, there are "boutique" clinicians
who treat only the "worried well." However, many of us treat a
wide range of people. AD/HD, like many conditions, can vary in its severity.
The best psychiatrist is one who has is willing and able to treat AD/HD in
all its forms and degrees of severity.
She
says that she does not feel that AD/HD is a mental illness. What then is
it—a chronic viral infection? I think that we are better off being
accurate—calling it what it is—and holding our heads high. If society
has prejudice about mental illness, we should combat the prejudice, not hide
behind euphemisms. One can be accurate while still acknowledging the
positive aspects of AD/HD.
-
The
Hyperactive Child, Adolescent and Adult (Attention Deficit Disorder through the
Life Span) by Paul Wender, MD (1987)
This was one of the earlier books to discuss criteria for diagnosing and
treating AD/HD in older adolescents and adults. The publication of this book and
related articles made it easier for child psychiatrists to continue to treat
adolescents who had reached adulthood and to actually diagnose AD/HD in adults.
Other physicians have since published broader criteria for the diagnosis of
adult AD/HD. This can be heavy reading for the lay person.
-
You
Mean I’m Not Lazy, Stupid or Crazy? By
Kelly and Ramundo (1993)This book is useful for older adolescents, their
parents, and for adults with ADHD. It gives practical, concrete information on
how to organize one’s workspace, and how to manage a schedule. It is easy to
read selected parts individually. The humorous illustrations are a plus. This is
a good book for an AD/HD adolescent to take to college.
-
Driven
to Distraction and
Answers to Distractions by Drs. Hallowell and Ratey . (1995 and 1996)
These books present basic information about AD/HD in a user-friendly format.
Answers is particularly good reading for adults with short attention spans
because it presents material in short chunks. The books discuss both child and
adult AD/HD issues, but the book is aimed at adults. Some adolescents could
benefit from these books too.
-
Women
with Attention Deficit Disorder
by Sari Solden (1995)
This excellent book deals with the ways that AD/HD can affect many facets of
a woman's life. It addresses shame, coping skills and the value of
self-knowledge.
-
A
Comprehensive Guide to Attention Deficit Disorder in Adults
edited by
Kathleen Nadeau (1995)
This fairly complete text is aimed primarily at professionals, but may be of
interest to the sophisticated layperson who wants a more detailed discussion
of AD/HD in adults. The book addresses diagnostic issues including
psychological testing and the diagnostic interview. The text also addresses
treatment issues.
ADD &
Adults: Strategies for Success from CH.A.D.D.(1997)
This book contains articles written by authors who are prominent researchers
and clinicians in the field of attention deficit disorder. The brief,
readable articles cover a broad range of topics including medication, job
issues, career planning, and relationship issues. This is a
well-rounded book for an adult who is wants to gain an basic understanding
of the issues he or she is likely to face.
Look for other books on this topic
Search BarnesandNoble.com for ADHD
Return to Top of Page
Explaining
a Parents Mental Illness to a Child
1. Please Dont Cry, Mom by DenBoer (1994)
This is an illustrated book, written for elementary school aged children. However, its
description of recurrent major depression is so good that the book would be valuable for
adolescents and some adults. It describes a boys feelings about his mothers
depression and her resistance to treatment. Her husband sets limits, and she does accept
treatment and begin to improve. The book describes the importance of family participation
in the mothers treatment and the importance of taking ones medication
regularly. Ultimately, the boy is able to gain knowledge and a sense of mastery.
2. Tell Me a Story, Paint Me the Sun by Chaplan (1991)
This is an illustrated book, appropriate for elementary school children and younger
adolescents. It describes a girl whose father looses his job and becomes depressed (or
starts drinking heavily) Although he does not seek treatment or improve, she is able to
talk to other adults and learn that she is worthwhile. This book is useful for the child
who must learn to cope with on going parental denial of a mental illness or drug problem.
Tell Me A Story,
Paint Me The Sun; When A Girl Feels
Ignored By Her Father
Review by Nicole, age 10
This book tells the story of a child whose father
seems to ignore her. The child feels hurt and helpless. Though the book does not say, the
illustrations hint that her father is suffering from depression or alcoholism. The girl
thinks that if she were more talented or more beautiful that her father would start paying
more attention to her. This is not so.
When this girl talks to her teacher and they share stories; the
girl makes an amazing discovery! She finds that her teacher went through the same thing!
Without consciously knowing this, she paints a sun with tears around it. Even though the
sun is mostly bright and beautiful, it can sometimes cry too. The girl learns that, though
her father has a problem, she can still be happy.
This is a good book for children, ages preschool to 10, who feel
ignored by their parents. I really would highly recommend this book.
3. Daddy Doesn't Have to be a Giant Anymore by J R Thomas (1996) Clarion
Books
This illustrated book is told from the elementary school aged daughter's point of view. It
describes her reactions to her alcoholic father's mood swings and erratic behavior. She is
present when family and friends arrange a supportive confrontation to break down the
father's denial and get him into residential treatment. When he returns from the
treatment, he is on the road to sobriety and is able to talk to his daughter about his
past behavior. (Confrontations should only be done under the supervision of a licensed
professional. Parents or professionals should read this book in advance to determine
whether it is appropriate for a particular child)
4. Sad Days, Glad Days by DeWitt Hamilton (1995) Albert Whitman and Co.
This story tells about the feelings of Amanda, an elementary school-aged girl as she
experiences her mother's unpredictable episodes of recurrent depression. The mother
also clearly experiences anguish when she sometimes cannot respond to her child's needs.
Her mother and father both help Amanda understand that her mother loves her and that the
mother's depressive episodes are not Amanda's fault. Amanda conceptualizes her mother's
moods as colors. The illustrations sensitively follow this metaphor to catch the moods and
experiences of the mother and the household. Amanda and her mother learn that despite
recurrent depression, the mother can still find ways to give of herself to Amanda.
Bart Speaks Out: Breaking the
Silence on Suicide
by Linda E. Goldman (published by Western Psychological Services)
A family dog talks about his confusion, hurt and grief when his owner commits
suicide. After each of Bart's comments, the child is invited to write, draw
or insert a photograph.
I liked the fact that the book
slowly works up to a discussion of the suicide itself. It does not
traumatize the child by hitting the intense topic too hard or too soon. The
book starts with more concrete and immediate events and feelings related to
a death. Later in the book, Bart explains about suicide. Through the dog,
the child is invited to discuss family and individual reactions to the
suicide. Family members express concerns that they might have contributed to
the suicide but are then reassured that it was not their fault. The book
does not blame the individual who killed himself. However it emphasizes that
there are other ways to deal with depression and despair.
Return to Top of Page
Learning
Disabilities
1. The Dont-give up Kid by Gehret
(1990)
This illustrated book is aimed at elementary school aged students. There is an appendix in
the back which contains resources and suggestions for parents. The book tells the story of
a boy who is persistent and creative, but has difficulty learning to read. Eventually, his
self-esteem begins to suffer.
2. The Misunderstood Child (A Guide for Children with Learning Disabilities,
2nd Edition (1992)
Dr. Silver has updated his classic 1984 book. He has particularly updated the information
on ADHD. This book is aimed at parents of children and adolescents with learning
disabilities. Particularly good are his sections on the psychosocial difficulties of
adolescents with learning disabilities and the parents role in treating the learning
disability..
3. The Gifted Learning Disabled Student published by CTY Publications
and Resources (Date not listed, but recently published)
This is a collection of articles describing the identification and the accommodation of
the student who has both areas of great intellectual strength and areas of deficit. The
some of the chapters describe the approach which the Johns Hopkins CTY (Center for
Talented Youth, also called IAAY) has taken to identify these students. This program also
offers weekend and summer programs for gifted students from a wide geographic area.
4. Many Ways to Learn: A Young People's Guide to Learning Disabilities
by J. Stern and U. Ben-Ami (Magination Press 1996)
Written for ages 8-14. This book describes types of Learning Disabilities and specific
coping strategies for school and home. These strategies include the use of computers, test
taking strategies, and self-esteem builders. The book is aimed at the students themselves
and encouraged them to develop their own coping strategies to achieve a sense of
independence and mastery.
Many Ways to Learn,
by Judith Stern, M.A.,and Uzi Ben-Ami, Ph.D
Review by Nicole, age 10
This is a very helpful and useful book for children of all ages with mild or very serious
learning disabilities. This book tells many kinds of ways to treat these problems. For
that matter, it tells how to cope with things around the house and in every day life. This
book guides children and adolescents with LD in several areas. These include why you have
a learning disability, and how to make life outside of school more fun. You start to
realize that this is no ordinary book like the ones you grab at the supermarket checkout.
This book is something special; something to remember in years to come. You can use this
book to help overcome your disability and to bring out your really, true talents. This
book would be great for families with children and teenagers with learning disabilities.
5. Succeeding with LD: 20 True Stories about Real People with LD by J.
Laven
This book contains first person accounts of 20 children, adolescents, adults and families
who have succeeded in school or in their profession. They describe happy and sad
experiences as well as their unique coping strategies. This would be a good book for
parents and adolescents to read. Parents might also choose to read parts of it to
children.
6. Unlocking
Potential: College and other Choices for People with LD and AD/HD, second
edition ed by Taymans,
West and Sullivan, Woodbine House, 2000
This book is a useful resource for older high school students and young adults
dealing with the transition between adolescence and adulthood. Each chapter is
readable and dispenses with long details. At the end of each chapter is a list
of resources relevant to the issues addressed in the chapter. The book addresses
how individuals with learning disabilities and AD/HD can deal constructively
with college and work. There are chapters on legal issues, psychological
testing, educational strategies and job choices. I have only