Need good books on ADD/ADHD

February 6, 2006

My 9 year old daughter was finally given a diagnosis of ADD/ADHD. She has had problems with school work for a while and some general developmental, social, behavioral concerns for years that nobody could put a finger on. So now I have finally found a counselor I feel I can trust that has taken a lot of time with her and with me.

Anyway, now I feel completely clueless and want to learn as much as I can as a parent and want to get a better understanding of her special challenges now and what will face her in the future.

I would love some book recommendations from real live parents. I went to the CHADD webside but their book list was pretty short with little info on the content of the books.

If anyone can recommend books and resources that have been really helpful for you - I'd love to hear about them.

Thanks,

Martha

musehealer

February 10, 2006

Martha: First of all, congratulations on finding a good counselor. Just getting a diagnosis is an important step in working with your daughter.

Second, immediately remove any guilt you might be carrying about not understanding the situation or about feeling hopeless. There is hope.

I have a birth daughter succeeding in college right now who was diagnosed with ADD in elementary school. At first, I wasn't even sure this was a legitimate issue (back in the dark ages of the 90's).

I discovered a wonderful expert, Dr. Edward Hallowell, who has written what most consider the breakthrough book on ADD, "Driven to Distraction". This book will walk you through what is happening in the mind of someone with ADD (Both Hallowell and his co-author, Ratey have ADD). It give a wonderful case studies and very practical, helpful ideas for helping a child help themselves throughout life.

Another book I highly recommend is "Understanding Girls with AD/HD" by Kathleen Nadeau, Ellen Littman and Patricia Quinn. Since most of the long-term studies on ADD/ADHD were done on boys, this book helps to identify the unique gender differences and ways to cope for girls.

I have about a dozen more books on my shelves right now that I can give you some feedback on, but these are the top of my list for your age child right now. Additionally, I find that the special needs associations in my area (school districts, Federation for Children with Special needs) often have speakers on ADD. I have been to many helpful discussions and met other wonderful parents of ADD children at these talks.

Don't be put off by "special needs" or "special ed" as it pertains to ADD. My birth daugther has a very high IQ and can function at a very high level, but received "special ed" services throughout elementary and high school to help her develop her organizing, processing and focusing skills.

I wish you luck and feel free to ask me anything! Cheers! - Gian