Synopses & Reviews
Review
"Dr. Barkley, a master in the field, has written a superb book for parents and all others interested in ADHD. Full of the most up-to-date information, this book is clearly written and finely reasoned. Thank you, Russell Barkley, for this book and all your pioneering work." --Edward M. Hallowell, MD, coauthor of
Driven to Distraction and
Answers to Distraction"This very clear and well-written guide is filled with useful strategies and all the reinforcement that ADHD parents need." --Jane Marks, author of The Hidden Children
"Russell Barkley's extensive experience as clinician, researcher, and teacher really shows. This is the most up-to-date story on our understanding of ADHD and its practical management. The readable reviews would inform most therapists. But most important, Dr. Barkley shows parents the way toward a positive approach to the problem, from which the whole family will find help." --Judith L. Rapoport, MD, Chief, Child Psychiatry Branch, NIMH, Bethesda, Maryland, author of The Boy Who Couldn't Stop Washing
"An outstanding resource for parents of children with the syndrome currently known as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. In this book, Dr. Barkley and his colleagues have integrated their great compassion for families with the scientific authority for which they are known. Dr. Barkley guides parents in examining their foundational beliefs about parenthood, the nature of ADHD, and the principles and priorities that guide their actions. When he issues challenges, they are accompanied by advice and tools. For example, when emphasizing the importance of scientifically-validated information, he provides an abundance of clearly presented research findings and their applications in children's lives. Long-recognized as an outstanding parent educator from the podium, in his book, Dr. Barkley encourages, exhorts, and inspires parents to meet the challenges of raising children with ADHD." --Mary McDonald Richard, Student Disability Services, University of Iowa
"While many parents will find the information included invaluable in helping them to make decisions about the care of their children, practitioners will also find the book extremely useful as an up-to-date summary of ADHD research.... this book should head the list of recommended readings for parents and others interested in ADHD." --Amanda McCombs Thomas, Ph.D., Loyola College in Baltimore
Review
"Dr. Barkley, a master in the field, has written a superb book for parents and all others interested in ADHD. Full of the most up-to-date information, this book is clearly written and finely reasoned. Thank you, Russell Barkley, for this book and all your pioneering work." --Edward M. Hallowell, MD, coauthor of
Driven to Distraction and
Answers to Distraction"This very clear and well-written guide is filled with useful strategies and all the reinforcement that ADHD parents need." --Jane Marks, author of The Hidden Children
"Russell Barkley's extensive experience as clinician, researcher, and teacher really shows. This is the most up-to-date story on our understanding of ADHD and its practical management. The readable reviews would inform most therapists. But most important, Dr. Barkley shows parents the way toward a positive approach to the problem, from which the whole family will find help." --Judith L. Rapoport, MD, Chief, Child Psychiatry Branch, NIMH, Bethesda, Maryland, author of The Boy Who Couldn't Stop Washing
"An outstanding resource for parents of children with the syndrome currently known as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. In this book, Dr. Barkley and his colleagues have integrated their great compassion for families with the scientific authority for which they are known. Dr. Barkley guides parents in examining their foundational beliefs about parenthood, the nature of ADHD, and the principles and priorities that guide their actions. When he issues challenges, they are accompanied by advice and tools. For example, when emphasizing the importance of scientifically-validated information, he provides an abundance of clearly presented research findings and their applications in children's lives. Long-recognized as an outstanding parent educator from the podium, in his book, Dr. Barkley encourages, exhorts, and inspires parents to meet the challenges of raising children with ADHD." --Mary McDonald Richard, Student Disability Services, University of Iowa
"While many parents will find the information included invaluable in helping them to make decisions about the care of their children, practitioners will also find the book extremely useful as an up-to-date summary of ADHD research.... this book should head the list of recommended readings for parents and others interested in ADHD." --Amanda McCombs Thomas, Ph.D., Loyola College in Baltimore
"I certainly plan to recommend this book to parents and grandparents of children with ADHD whom I see in my practice. The book is generally easy to read... The book has a tone of optimism throughout. It empowers parents to take charge of the life of their child with ADHD rather than feel constantly distressed and overwhelmed by the special needs of these unique children." --Canadian Medical Association Journal
"The text is well written and readable. Although it provides research information, the text does not become bogged down with statistics. Technical language is kept to a minimum, and when it is used, it is explained. The book does a commendable job of providing parents with the latest information and practical guidance regarding ADHD." --Physical Therapy
"Although the book is targeted at the parents of ADHD children, it will serve as a useful resource for teachers and others involved in the care and education of these children....This book is unique in its up-to-date and clear presentation of the scientific underpinnings of the disorder and the pragmatic, empirically based approach to intervention that it encourages. It is also very well organized and readable; it is probably the best available resource of this type." --Doody's Health Sciences Book Review
"While many parents will find the information included invaluable in helping them to make decisions about the care of their children, practitioners will also find the book extremely useful as an up-to-date summary of ADHD research....This book should head the list of recommended readings for parents and others interested in ADHD." --The Advancing Practice
"I...warmly recommend it to selected parents, and also to professionals learning about how ADHD should be managed." --Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry
"...an excellent resource for parents, clinicians, and teachers....The text is written in an informative yet informal style, which almost gives readers the impression that they are having a personal conversation with the author....The true value of the book lies in the author's ability to combine current theoretical perspectives with the most recent and relevant research findings into a text that functions both as a contemporary review for professionals and a practical guide for parents." --Child Psychology and Psychiatry Review
"Barkley is addressing two quite different audiences--parents and professionals--and he does it very well. Parents can return to the book as they reach different points on their learning curve. And practitioners will find this book stimulating and at times challenging....The book could well serve as the text for a series of parent education sessions led by a school psychologist." --NASP Communique
"Russell Barkley, considered one of the leading authorities on attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), provides a clear and well-written guide that encourages, exhorts, and inspires parents. This book features pioneering research that provides new insight into preventing ADHD from becoming a major obstacle in a child's (and parent's) life. Numerous techniques are offered for enhancing a child's school performance. ...provides an excellent foundation for parent training and teacher inservice presentations. Parents will appreciate having this book on hand, and teachers will want a copy to show parents who are ready for a resource." --Intervention in School and Clinic
"The majority of the book deals with the areas where parents do have the opportunity to make choices and have and impact on their children's functioning....This material is specific, practical, widely applicable, and supported by both clinical and research experience. From the pediatric therapist's perspective, this book has a great deal to offer....an outstanding achievement. Its authoritative and complete contents, combined with a very reasonable price for the trade paperback, make it a highly worthwhile addition to the library of any child-oriented professional." --Physical and Occupational Therapy In Pediatrics
"...a very readable and yet comprehensive volume that actually does provide an overview of this important subject in language readily understood by a parent or older teenage patient... it addresses the common questions and concerns of puzzled parents. It presents its information in a generally positive and supportive style which parents will appreciate... Its overall theme is positive and hopeful and will be welcomed by many families." --Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
"If any professional knows about ADHD, it is Russell Barkley....Delineates the special changes that parents will need to make in their lives and those of their children to raise their ADHD offspring to well-adjusted adulthood.... All in all, this is a splendid book which I recommend strongly to parents and professionals alike." --Child and Family Behavior Therapy
"....a solid resource guide for parents...." --Contemporary Psychology
"...an excellent and readable book that will empower parents of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)....Barkley provides a program for managing the behavior of a child with ADHD and a system for problem-solving." --NAMI Advocate
"....It is refreshing to find a text grounded in empirical support and data to assist parents who have such a child....A superb text for parents and others who live daily with children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder...." --Corrective and Social Psychiatry and Journal of Behavior Technology Methods and Therapy
"'Oh no, not another ADHD book' was my initial reaction to reviewing Taking Charge of ADHD...I was wrong. This is not just another book. This is a great book...You must read this book if you don't read any other this year...This book, although aimed at parents, has something for everyone involved with ADHD kids: teachers, psychologists, doctors, and family. I am not going to lend this book to parents (although I will show it to them) because they need to buy it so they have it on hand to read and reread." --Pediatric News
Synopsis
Raising a child with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is not easy. Bombarded with conflicting medical advice and worn down by the daily frustrations of child care, parents are likely to feel exhaused, confused, and helpless. This much-needed, authoritative book empowers parents of children with ADHD with the knowledge and the confidence they need to ensure their child receives the best care possible. Features include step-by-step methods for managing a child with ADHD in a variety of everyday situations; the latest information on available medications; numerous techniques for enhancing a child's school performance; and a special section devoted to the needs of the parents.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 281-283) and index.
About the Author
Russell A. Barkley, PhD, is Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the Medical University of South Carolina and Research Professor of Psychiatry at the State University of New York Upstate Medical University at Syracuse. In 1978, he founded the Neuropsychology Service at the Medical College of Wisconsin and Milwaukee Children's Hospital, and served as its chief until 1985. He then moved to the University of Massachusetts Medical School, where he served as Director of Psychology from 1985 to 2000, and established the research clinics for both child and adult ADHD. In 2003, he relocated to a position as Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the Medical University of South Carolina. He joined the faculty of the SUNY Upstate Medical University in 2005. Dr. Barkley has published 10 books, more than 200 scientific articles and book chapters, and 7 videos on ADHD and related disorders, including childhood defiance, and is editor of the newsletter
The ADHD Report. A frequent conference presenter and speaker who is widely cited in the national media, he is past president of the Section of Clinical Child Psychology, Division 12 of the American Psychological Association, and of the International Society for Research in Child and Adolescent Psychopathology. His distinguished research contributions have been recognized with awards from the American Association of Applied and Preventive Psychology, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Section on Clinical Child Psychology of the American Psychological Association, and the Society for a Science of Clinical Psychology.
Table of Contents
Introduction: A Guiding Philosophy for Parents of ADHD Children.
I. Understanding ADHD.
1. What Is Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder?
2. A New Theory about ADHD.
3. What Causes ADHD?
4. What to Expect: The Nature of the Disorder.
5. Family Life with an ADHD Child.
II. Taking Charge: How to Be a Successful Executive Parent.
6. Deciding to Have Your Child Evaluated for ADHD.
7. Preparing for the Evaluation.
8. Coping with the Diagnosis of ADHD.
9. Ten Guiding Principles for Raising a Child with ADHD.
10. Just for Parents: How to Take Care of Yourself.
III. Managing Life with ADHD: How to Cope at Home and at
School.
11. Eight Steps to Better Behavior.
12. Taking Charge at Home: The Art of Problem Solving.
13. How to Help Your Child with Peer Problems
14. Getting through Adolescence with an ADHD Child, with Arthur
L. Robin.
15. Off to School on the Right Foot: Managing Your Child's
Education, with Linda J. Pfiffner.
16. Enhancing Education at School and at Home: Methods for
Success from Kindergarten through Grade 12.
17. Keeping School Performance in Perspective.
IV. Medications for ADHD.
18. The Stimulants, with George J. DuPaul and Anthony Costello.
19. Other Medicines for ADHD.
Parent Support Groups for ADHD
Suggested Readings and Videotapes