Editorial Review

With over a quarter million copies in print, You Mean I'm Not Lazy, Stupid or Crazy?! is one of the bestselling books on attention deficit disorder (ADD) ever written. There is a great deal of literature about children with ADD. But what do you do if you have ADD and aren't a child anymore? This indispensable reference -- the first of its kind written for adults with ADD by adults with ADD -- focuses on the experiences of adults, offering updated information, practical how-tos and moral support to help readers deal with ADD. It also explains the diagnostic process that distinguishes ADD symptoms from normal lapses in memory, lack of concentration or impulsive behavior. Here's what's new:

• The new medications and their effectiveness
• The effects of ADD on human sexuality
• The differences between male and female ADD -- including falling estrogen levels and its impact on cognitive function
• The power of meditation
• How to move forward with coaching

And the book still includes advice about:

• Achieving balance by analyzing one's strengths and weaknesses
• Getting along in groups, at work and in intimate and family relationships -- including how to decrease discord and chaos
• Learning the mechanics and methods for getting organized and improving memory
• Seeking professional help, including therapy and medication

Reviews

Know you're smart but think you're nuts? Then read this!, January 5, 1997
I first bought this book strictly because of it's title. Having spent 45 years feeling crazy & stupid and being accused of laziness most of my life, I decided this book was for me. I didn't realize how very right I was! When I started to read I realized I was reading about myself. I identified with many of the descriptions of ADD from childhood through to adulthood. It was incredible to learn I was not alone in my daily frustration. This wonderful, informative book started me on a road of self-discovery. I was subsequently tested and diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder. The authors describe this "disability" as an "ADD-ed dimension" and they are so right! I now have self-esteem and self pride. My intelligence has been tested and verified .. I'm not lazy, crazy or stupid and I thank the authors of this book for that discovery. This book has changed my life. I can now read a page without losing my place. I don't forget what I'm saying or lose things as often. I have learned that I am one of many who use an additional area of my brain & must therefore learn to "process things differently". I no longer feel timid, ashamed, afraid or just plain different. I can now accept and like myself for the first time in my life.

This book is written in a very "easy-reading" style. There is a wonderful blending of research facts and referenced stories and quips. As an adult diagnosed with ADD at the age of 45, I can attest to the value of this book. I highly recommend "You mean I'm not lazy, stupid or crazy" to anyone who has ever felt they were!

Needs updating, March 10, 2006
While reading some of the previous reviews, I saw one that mentioned "contemporary science" - written in 1999. The first Amazon.com customer review for this book is from 1997. If I'd read it then, I would have rated it higher. But a book that deals with anything medical needs to be updated long before it's a decade old, which this one now is. The chapter on medication is completely outdated; it shouldn't be referred to by anyone who wants to know what options are available now. And while all the scientific/medical questions about ADD/ADHD haven't been answered, more is known now than when this book was written.

The fact that this book has helped many people understand themselves better is great, and I'm not one who equates wanting to understand yourself with looking for excuses. This book has been recommended not only doctor to patient but friend to friend for a long time, and what it has can be helpful - the reason I gave it three stars. But I hope a second edition isn't being held back by the fact that the first one is still being recommended and purchased; it could be so much better if the information were updated.

I personally had a more general problem with the book, which may also be related to its age. I'm primarily inattentive type ADD, and felt like I was a real outsider while reading this book. Some things applied to me, but a lot didn't. And anytime there was a statement like, "We all remember from our childhood..." I'd think, "Nope. Not me." Not that there's anything wrong with a book aimed at people with combined or primarily hyperactive ADD, and I didn't take away a star because of it, but "nowadays" that would probably be stated more clearly in the information about the book, or even on the cover. But back in 1996, that might have been less likely. (I told my doctor that reading this book reminded me of my experience of going to a support group for people with depression and being the only unipolar one there. You're "supposed to" fit in, and you kind of do, but not really.)

If this is the first book about ADD someone reads, it would be eye-opening, and it was probably the best around 10 years ago. But I don't think that's true anymore. A second edition of it would be very useful.

A TERRIFIC resource!, January 18, 2000
"You Mean I'm Not Lazy, Stupid or Crazy! " belongs on the bedside table of every ADDer and of every parent, spouse or teacher who is trying to understand the ADDers in their lives. It was cutting edge when it was written and its information is still right on target.

As an ADDer, ADD Coach, and founder of a company that trains ADD Coaches, I not only recommend "Lazy/Crazy" to anyone who asks for an ADD book recommendation, it has been required reading for OFI's 18-month ADD Coach Training program since the first beta classes in 1994. (Kate joined us several years later and is now President of OFI; Peggy joined us in 1999 and now heads up OFI's Sliding-Scale Coaching Clinic -- all the more reason I can recommend this book WITHOUT reservation!)

An extremely readable book, obviously written from an "insiders" viewpoint, this book made me feel understood and validated -- like great advice from good friends. When I stumbled across it on the "New Books" table at a large Manhattan Bookstore (before I had met either of these authors) I started reading immediately. It was almost an hour before I finally forced myself to close the book, pay for it, and take it home. My copy is well-worn and multi-colored from all the highlighting I do to focus my attention.

DO take the time, as the authors advise, to carefully read the first chapter. Although it is a little "heavier" reading than the rest of the book, the ADD information it provides will prove well worth the concentration it may take to go through it.

(Helpful Hint: If your dominant modality is visual you will either LOVE the graphics or hate them. For my clients in the latter group, a sticky-note covering the graphics allowed them to focus more easily on the text.)

Madelyn Griffith-Haynie, MCC -- founder & CEO of The Optimal Functioning Institute�

Editorial Review

Through vivid stories of the experiences of their patients (both adults and children), Drs. Hallowell and Ratey show the varied forms ADD takes -- from the hyperactive search for high stimulation to the floating inattention of daydreaming -- and the transforming impact of precise diagnosis and treatment. ... Read more

Reviews

A superbly balanced and rigorous text for all readers, March 6, 1998
Whether lay public or professionals in the field, this is the best book you'll find on Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). I treat patients who have ADD; many come bearing a well-marked copy of this book to say they've found themselves in it. To the others, I routinely recommend they read it before we finalize the diagnosis or decide on treatment. The tone throughout is rigorously scientific yet informal, relatively free of jargon, approachable by anyone with a high school education, and very supportive to the sufferer without being patronizing. It contains no propaganda, a rare virtue in books about ADD. Although written by physicians (who themselves are sufferers), it does not shill for medication management at the expense of alternative treatments that have been scientifically validated as effective. This is the ideal book for sufferers and their families, for teachers and those who evaluate the learning problems of children and adults, and for all health care providers. For those who find it hard to read, another book by these authors, Answers to Distraction, is written in an easier, sound bite format. Both books are available on audiotape, often the best way for the ADDers to "read".

-Phil Torrance MD (Diplomate in Psychiatry)

Forgive? Nay! Applaud!, October 2, 2000
How does a person go from being their own worst enemy to their own best friend? This book can tell you how -- and best of all, why.

Like many others, I had never thought of myself as hyperactive -- hyper-book worm maybe! I was creative and obsessive. I was determined beyond description -- if it was something interesting to me. And I was successful... enough. A natural born explainer and teacher -- I had the patience of a saint!

I never admitted to anyone that I constantly berated myself in my mind: Even a small thing like a load of laundry would become a reason to rant. "You stupid! You forgot to turn on the wash!" Later, I'd realize: I had turned the knob three hours before -- but I had forgotten to close the lid.... when I remembered to move the clothes from the washer to the dryer -- at midnight -- I'd get out of bed to do it. "No way dufus-head will remember tomorrow!" Multiply this small life detail by 1000 lost, forgotten, ignored, denied life details -- all day, every day. The tirade never ceased.

I never tolerated others being negative to someone who made a mistake. I forgave everything. I understood the need for tolerance and forgiveness -- but I never gave it to myself.

I was never capable of doing any one thing from beginning to end. With a 100 projects going on at once very few get done. And, I was never able to enjoy the applause when I did do something really well. "Next week you'll screw up." the evil, mean voice in my head said. How did I keep from driving myself nuts?

As a result of reading this book, I started a path that changed my life. I now realize and forgive -- Nay! Applaud! my "differentness." The hyper-creativity is still there -- now I know how use it. I let my mind wander when I need to -- then I guide it gently back to where I need it to be. And I cheer and applaud and praise myself all along the way. My explanation sounds too simple for the revolution -- and evolution in my life.

Dr. Hallowell writes evocative stories -- call it revelations through case histories. It is required reading for anyone with ADD -- or anyone with a child, spouse, student or employee they define as an underachiever. This book explains "why?"

A necessity. It's the Bible of ADD., October 2, 1998
I am one of those beset by troubles with myself that I couldn't understand. Soon I learned of ADD and of Driven to Distraction. THE BOOK HIT THE NAIL RIGHT ON THE HEAD!

Driven to Distraction is an excellent introduction to those who have no knowledge of ADD, but have found out about it want to know more about it and everything about it. Want to know ADD? Start with this book. No other researcher has collected more pertinent data and given to ordinary people in their language than Drs. Hallowell and Ratey. Truly, this book is the Bible of ADD life. Coupled with Answers to Distraction, one could consider himself well-equipped to face the world where ADD is a terrible stigma.

I'm from the Philippines and here ADD is still known as a kid's disease and named MBD (Minimal Brain Dysfunction). NO ONE knows about ADD here, and if only this book were read by more psychologists in this country, the problems would certainly be more alleviated. My hat off to Drs. Hallowell and Ratey for such a helpful, life-changing book. God bless!

Excellent book for parents, teachers & ADD/ ADHD adults, April 11, 2001
As an educator, I've been dealing with kids with attention problems for many years, as has my wife who is a learning differences teacher (as a tutor and in private schools). When our daughter was in 2nd grade, she was diagnosed with ADD (over 15 years ago), so we began learning about this disorder firsthand. After attending a teacher's seminar on ADHD, I began suspecting that I might have it as well, but it wasn't until I read Hallowell's "Driven to Distraction" that I decided to seek help. Now, many years later, I can say that I'm glad I did.

As an elementary school librarian, this is the first book I recommend to teachers and parents, as well as to adults who suspect they may have an attention problem. It is easy to read, full of good information and the self-quizzes throughout the book are invaluable.

Solid, Fun, Helpful, August 23, 2001
While many ADD books are filled with froth and fluff, and others are littered with mantras about accepting ADD in our life but, "Driven to Distraction" actually is useful. Buy it now before you forget. From descriptions about what is and is not ADD, to incredibly informative thoughts on ways of managing ADD's pitfalls and positives, this book is the one to buy. Anyone with ADD welcomes every aspect of it, and most of us would trade it for a dollar. However, Hallowell and Ratey manage to dispel the malarkey about ADD being a handicap, and provide case studies which will remind you of many of your own experiences. Great for a dear friend or mate to read to understand ADD, and how to be a better friend or spouse. Let me recommend also, "Managing Attention & Learning Disorders : Super Survival Strategies" by Elaine McEwan and "Uncommon Gifts : Transforming Learning Disabilities into Blessing" by James Stewart Evans. I fully recommend "Driven to Distraction : Recognizing and Coping With Attention Deficit Disorder from Childhood Through Adulthood." Anthony Trendl

The book that changed my life..., January 1, 2000
As an adult with ADD (which I found out by reading Driven to Distraction), I can honestly say that this book changed my life. It altered my entire self-perception.

Now, instead of seeing myself as a lazy, disorganized, half-crazy person, I understand that I have a common condition with negative - and positive - traits. I also understand clearly why I failed so miserably in school and no longer blame myself for it. Even just the knowledge that there are other people with the same syndrome, the same behaviors... is comforting!

The altered self-concept has made me a much more positive person, and knowing what I'm dealing with has helped me to nurture the positive aspects of my ADD, particularly the ability to hyperfocus on tasks that are important to me.

For adult ADHD sufferers, a stepping stone toward diagnosis., August 11, 2000
I was a skeptic regarding this whole ADHD thing. Too many people are being diagnosed with it. Too many parents placing the blame on their kids instead of the fact that they both work. They use the TV as a babysitter. They allow the kids to watch unsupervised TV and movies. Seemed like every kid was being diagnosed with it.

But then everything changed for me. It changed when my 1st grade son - who can be a real pistol - was requested by the elementary school administration to be placed in an alternative school for uncontrollable kids. (Of course, this was their conclusion after months of talks.) To counter their on-site psychologist, we sought our own, and after many counselling sessions there, the doctor presented us with his diagnosis: ADHD. But my wife and I still didn't believe in it. We wouldn't accept the diagnosis. So we read some on it, and on Ritalin, and decided based on that informaton, to take the doctor up on his desire to prescribe Ritalin for him.

And it was a miracle. Seriously. He had only a week left in public school, but the teacher was astounded. In the end, we changed him to a private school anyway since he earned a bad-boy reputation that he did not deserve, nor could he seem to shake.

In my desire to learn more about it, I bought this book. What I uncovered, was not only a greater understanding of my son, but also the realization that I probably also was afflicted. This book is geared towards an adult ADHD diagnosis. It is well written, and enjoyable to read because it is filled with small vignettes, little stories of people and their difficulties, and how they sought and received treatment.

The book clearly underscores that the ADHD person cannot diagnose themselves, but that through an increased knowledge gained by reading it, it can help you decide if you should seek professional diagnosis from a psychiatrist.

I did, and my life has turned around. I have no idea how this drug works, but I am on a very low dose, and yet it feels like the barriers are down. I can stop NOT DOING what I want to do. I can now easily set aside a distracting, stray thought, and come back to it after the other person finishes talking.

Honestly, if you think you may have adult ADHD, this book will act as a stepping stone for you and can help you decide if you need to seek professional help.

In Gratitude For Such A Spectacular Discovery!, April 29, 2000
With undiagnosised ADD onboard, being raised in a large household the second of eleven children, with a perfectionist father who would not accept second best as a condition of showing his love for his children, and an obedient submissive mother was a challenge beyond discription. I was continually being punished for my actions and behavior, and not understanding ADD (or that there was even such a disorder) I felt as if I was a scumbag of the lowest order for the first 40 or so years of my life. My father had two degrees, or better stated two professions, one as a dentist and the other as an anesthesiologist. Hyperactivity was seen as a huge sin in my family, and I don't remember anyone as hyper as I was. When I asked my mother a few years ago how was my behavior as a child (of which I can remember very little) her comment was, "We didn't have a moments peace from the day you were born until you left home to become a missionionary at the age of 19!" Wow! What a eye opening statement! Reading Dr. Hallowell's book is such an experience! I read a case history in his book to my seven children substituting my name and profession (a dentist) for the person envolved, and when finished my ten year old daughter quietly took me aside and with grave concern asked, "Daddy how did they get your life's history in that book if you just bought it?" I have never read a book that hit home with more force in my life than did Dr. Hallowell's DRIVEN TO DISTRACTION! What a masterpiece of diagnosis and heartfelt concern. In the Bible there is a verse which states that we are commanded to love our neighbors as ourselves. Until reading (and comprehending) Dr. Hallowell's book I could not grasp that scripture, as I could not "see" why I would even desire to love another as I did myself, simply because as stated above, I felt that I could not love myself (in my heart) as I always considered myself to be a scumbag of the lowest order. Forgiveness of one's self is, in my opinion, one of the most challenging and difficult endeavors in life, and Dr. Hollowell's book has done more for me in this area than all the preaching in church and advice given combined. Thank-you Edward from the bottom of my heart for having the courage to expose your life and ADD behavior so that others like myself might begin to live! A must read! Sincerely,

Dr. Michael Hamilton

Who me, have ADHD?, April 9, 2001
This is a great book. I think this is one of the only books that I have ever been able to read and pay attention to. Usually I zone out but because this topic hit so close to home I was able to pay attention. While reading the book I found myself laughing because it was so much like me. I finally realized why I do the things I do and why I have trouble in college. I know I am smart. This also explains why I am so hyper active. I kept telling myself that I don't have ADHD but the more I read, the more I realized that I did. (I was also clinically diagnosed at age 23). This book and a few other books helped to realize that having ADHD is not a disability but rather a character trait with its pluses and minuses. I think it kind of cool at times. I just find myself getting frustrated with the typical ADD downfalls. I think this is one of the best books out there for adult ADD. So good, that others refer to this book when they write theirs. I have read so many books on ADD that it seems like I read the same or similar things and it's like a circle.

It Hit the Nail on the Head, June 29, 2000
Tears streamed down my face as I read the letter from the mother to the son - and touched every void I have felt. In his growing up years, my 80+ year old mother used to say, "He wants to do good, he just can't" -- wise beyond her time. She was speaking of my son, the little leaguer who loved to steal bases and slide on his stomach to catch fly balls, the high school wrestler, the broken-hearted, devastated, depressed, financially strained divorced 25 year old police officer who at times resorted to too much alcohol, and who at 29 years old, probably on impulse, used his service revolver to end his life. This book hit the nail on the head and helped me to better understand and try to pave the way for a better life for my recently (after several years of wondering why she is the way she is) diagnosed ADD 12 year old granddaughter, the spitting image of her Dad, who wanted to do right but just couldn't. And we didn't understand why. Now we do. Even to the extent that it could be inherited from a parent who has never been diagnosed. Everyone with any interest whatsoever in ADD should read this book. It is wonderful. Please let Drs. Hallowell & Ratey know how appreciative I am for this book. Thank you for providing such insight. LPruett ... Read more

Editorial Review

In 1994, Driven to Distraction sparked a revolution in our understanding of attention deficit disorder. Widely recognized as the classic in the field, the book has sold more than a million copies. Now a second revolution is under way in the approach to ADD, and the news is great. Drug therapies, our understanding of the role of diet and exercise, even the way we define the disorder–all are changing radically. And doctors are realizing that millions of adults suffer from this condition, though the vast majority of them remain undiagnosed and untreated. In this new book, Drs. Edward M. Hallowell and John J. Ratey build on the breakthroughs of Driven to Distraction to offer a comprehensive and entirely up-to-date guide to living a successful life with ADD.

As Hallowell and Ratey point out, “attention deficit disorder” is a highly misleading description of an intriguing kind of mind. Original, charismatic, energetic, often brilliant, people with ADD have extraordinary talents and gifts embedded in their highly charged but easily distracted minds. Tailored expressly to ADD learning styles and attention spans, Delivered from Distraction provides accessible, engaging discussions of every aspect of the condition, from diagnosis to finding the proper treatment regime. Inside you’ll discover

• whether ADD runs in families
• new diagnostic procedures, tests, and evaluations
• the links between ADD and other conditions
• how people with ADD can free up their inner talents and strengths
• the new drugs and how they work, and why they’re not for everyone
• exciting advances in nonpharmaceutical therapies, including changes in diet, exercise, and lifestyle
• how to adapt the classic twelve-step program to treat ADD
• sexual problems associated with ADD and how to resolve them
• strategies for dealing with procrastination, clutter, and chronic forgetfulness

ADD is a trait, a way of living in the world. It only becomes a disorder when it impairs your life. Featuring gripping profiles of patients with ADD who have triumphed, Delivered from Distraction is a wise, loving guide to releasing the positive energy that all people with ADD hold inside. If you have ADD or care about someone who does, this is the book you must read.


From the Hardcover edition. ... Read more

Reviews

Delivered from Distracton Delivers!, December 2, 2006
In 1994, Hallowell and Ratey published Driven to Distraction to rave reviews. Now, Delivered from Distraction hits the bookstores to similar accolades. The message of hope and celebrating your strengths is the same, the tone of empowerment is the same. What's changed? The very latest in the world of attention differences, including current research in lifestyle changes, supplements, medication, and testing. Unlike D2D, Dr. Hallowell wrote the book, but the project was shared with Dr. Ratey. Like Driven to Distraction, the book is sprinkled with observations taken from the pages of Hallowell's practice. This book is comprehensive and renovated extensively from Driven to Distraction.

The ADD field has grown more complex and saturated with "Do this or do that," - "Try this, try that." In four parts, Delivered from Distraction provides a foundation from which to discuss the ADD phenomenon: (1) What's It Like to Have ADD? (2) Three Stories that Tell the Story (3) Making the Diagnosis of ADD (4) Mastering the Power and Avoiding the Pitfalls: The Treatment of ADD.

There's a lot to digest in Delivered. The chapters I found fascinating were "ADD Self-Assessment Quizzes for Adults," "An evil, an Illness, or a Kind of Mind?," "The qEEG and SPECT scan" "Conditions that Coexist with ADD," "Bipolar or ADD?" "Genetics," "Are We Training our Children to have ADD?" "The Treatment of ADD: What Works Best," and "ADD in Families." That's almost the whole book...

By far, I was fascinated by the chapter on Omega-3 Fatty Acids and its relationship to inflammation and ADD. Dr. Hallowell and Barry Sears of the Zone Diet have teamed up for a study at Hallowell's center in Sudbury, Massachusetts. Does Omega 3 help people with ADD? A few people I know who take Omega 3 have positive experience with this supplement, so I was excited to find that there is a study in the works.

Delivered from Distraction is far from ordinary and my interest grew from page to page. It's an easy read, either from front to back or specific chapters of your choice. Perfect for those with wandering, creative minds. And written with a humorous streak at times, too. Definitely not boring.

Final thoughts: This book is comprehensive and updated extensively from Driven to Distraction. Bottom line? Delivered From Distraction delivers.

Great if you are an ADD newbie; new info for "old timers", January 6, 2005
Delivered from Distraction is a fine read (stylistically) and an excellent guidebook for someone who is professionally and accurately diagnosed with ADD, or for those who would like to know what having ADD feels like and the types of behaviors people with ADD are prone to exhibit. This could be of particular benefit to mental health professionals who work with people with ADD. And for those who think ADD is a pseudo-disorder or a political ploy (I'm not one of them), maybe this book will change your mind. Although as Dr. Hallowell reminds us, if such skeptics could walk around for a day with the symptoms of ADD, most would quickly change their minds, and would most likely reverse their stance on the idea that it is some sort of social construct. I myself recall the first time I took Ritalin. I was so overwhelmed by the relief it brought me, I almost began to cry. Overall, if you have read Driven to Distraction by the same author "team" published in 1994, you'll find a lot that sounds familiar, but also much about some new treatments--some "official," some experimental. These include new brain imaging diagnostic procedures, some very strange but interesting stuff about cerebellum stimulation (you have to read it carefully to understand it! (Wait till you see some of the theory behind it and what you actually do during the treatments!!); more specific nutritional advice, new medications (like Strattera, which I have tried but didn't find too helpful--which I'll attribute to the "different strokes for different folks" philosophy, and some really nice touches when Dr. Hallowell relates personal anecdotes about himself and family members with ADD.

This book has much personal reflection on the subject, which adds a friendly touch since one can get a sense of the writers as people, not merely authorities. If you are familiar with the many books on ADD that suggest strategies for living, ordering one's life, conscious awareness of one's proclivities, this book covers some of the same ground but in a more literary and empathetic way (maybe because Dr. Hallowell was an English major in college). It also does so in a way that makes a lot of sense and seems derived from the authors' experience and motivated by a true desire to help others.

The authors also include some new and fascinating "case studies" of people who used their ADD state of mind to their advantage and became highly successful (see in particular the story of the founder of JetBlue). These "success stories" are not so much pep talks (I wouldn't want to run an airline even if I could), but explanations of how one can use one's "disorder." Nevertheless, one shouldn't judge a group by an individual--which can, unfortunately lead to guilt should a reader not be a 'success' in the way the authors define one. However, I found it quite brave that individuals in the public eye, so to speak, are not afraid to speak about their ADD. (I've read in another source, the story of the founder of Kinko's. Who would think someone with ADD would create a company worth 2.5 billion whose major appeal is precision, meeting deadlines, and coordination?!) This is not meant to imply that the authors have a pie in the sky philosophy of "aren't I lucky I have ADD since it enriches my life." The book stresses the fact that regardless of how well you develop strategies to "work with" your special cognitive style, there will be days when things just don't seem to be working--times when all the strategies in the world don't seem to help. But, as the book points out, the important thing is not to beat oneself up about it.

As someone who is a writer, I related to this propensity at self-criticism. I can be very focused one day; however, on another day, my mind will just be so scattered I can't even type a sentence fragment. Everyone has bad days, and given the proclivity of many ADD people to feel dissatisfied with their progress in life (i.e., goals, behaviors, personal identity, etc.,) one should not expect some magic cure-all for one's condition. The authors imply that there will be breakthroughs in treatment but don't expect any "magic bullet" any time soon(that's a horrible metaphor--sorry!). But with that in mind, the authors still maintain an upbeat, positive outlook, and provide a well-considered, thoughtful holistic program to find personal and interpersonal success in one's daily life and in one's journey through life.

I particularly liked the five-step method (graphically illustrated as a circle or flywheel) of developing a positive view and a positive lifestyle to find what the author calls "lasting joy." I found it so simple and impressive, in fact, I plan to copy the diagram and put it on my refrigerator. While I might not have used this somewht idealistic DEScription of the PREscription, it is a very common sense approach with profound possibilities of changing both the way an ADD person can successfully address the issues of everyday living and develop a philosophy of life that helps one develop a more secure "ground of being" (to paraphrase Paul Tillich). It has often been remarked that people with ADD are particularly sensitive, and this trait is apparent in the tone of the book. For example, one chapter begins, "Let me tell you an amazing story about my son Jack." The author then proceeds to tell this story, and it reveals the author's deep sensitivity and thoughtfulness, and his desire to share personal experience--in a sincere, heartfelt way without any arrogance or showing off. Here is an (incomplete) list of certain tenets:

find a compatable, understanding life partner (although why that advice should be different for people without ADD is beyond me);

find suitable work that appeals to the ADD personality (high stimulation, non-sendentary, one that requires creative, outside the box thinking, low levels of supervision, etc., (although again, shouldn't everyone try to find a job that suits his/her personality and traits?);

eat a balanced diet and exercise regularly (nothing like pumping up those neurotransmitters naturally, although again, this is good commonsense for just about everyone);

be aware of and develop strategies to combat one's proneness to addictive behaviors (alcohol, illicit drugs, gambling, sex..hmmm...wait a second, I have to reconsider that last item!);

use human or technological aids to help order your universe (a good accountant, a good daily planner, professional "coach" if you can afford one (I had about 4 sessions with one, and I think that was just about enough), electronic timers, etc.);

learn cognitive "tricks" to stop ADD-type impulsive actions (like showing your impatience, blurting out what's on your mind, etc). During a "business meeting," I once started doing an imitation of Marlon Brando as "The Godfather." I swear the display was completely appropriate in getting my point across but it sort of got lost on the rest of the people. Of great importance, consider that medication should almost always be considered as one part of the "happy with an ADD mind" equation--assuming all the other building blocks are in place;

follow a holistic approach to your situation, and get rid of one-track mind thinking regarding "a cure";

Check out some of the new research and methods that have cropped up in the past 10 years or so.

There's lots more but it certainly can't fit in here

If you haven't read other books on the subject, read this one, then maybe an ADD friendly organization book; see a competent psychiatrist who has expertise in treating ADD,and be assertive regarding what works, what doesn't work, and even the possibility that no medication will work: regardless, don't go the medication route as though it will provide the answer to your problems. When you find you've adapted a way of being that works for you, get on with your life, and monitor yourself every so often--but not obsessively. BECAUSE, if you do have ADD, and you are compulsive, you are likely to spend far too much time reading every book there is on the subject. So unless you plan to make a career of it, read this one, augment it with a good book on organizational skills designed for people with ADD, and get on with your life. And if you do have ADD, from one comrade to another, have the best life you can! And something that works for me, is "Don't have hope; have faith." It will keep you more motivated.

Finally, if confronted by someone who still claims that ADD is a hoax, conspiracy, attempt to disempower minority populations, a drug company invention to garner profits (and I've read about every anti-ADD argument in 'the book', my advice is to converse with them as follows: from as far away as possible.

A gift to AD/HDers, March 15, 2005
Dr. Hallowell has given us a GIFT in this optimistic, realistic, encouraging book. Yes, there is a dark side to ADD (prison, alcoholism, unemployment...) but it's about time we heard about the strengths - intuition, creativity, the ability to connect with others, and the kind of risk-taking that changes lives for the better. Thank you, thank, thank you.

If you'd like the unabridged version, it's available from Audible.com, and the reader, Dan Cashman, is superb. The same abridged version read by Dr. Hallowell is also available.

If only..., August 29, 2007
This is one of those books that is both a gift... and very upsetting. - - When I was coming up, the terms ADD and ADHD were just becoming popular... only they were becoming so popular a lot of people were having trouble taking them seriously. - - It seemed like a faddy diagnosis and an excuse to medicate any kid who the television set couldn't babysit for adequately... At that time, I should note that it was clear that I had some kind of learning disability - -yet was a supposed "gifted underachiever" - - meaning I had a supposed "borderline genius" IQ but was too "lazy", "disorganized", "unfocused" even "bored" with school work.
(Back then the only treatments were "punishment", "tolerance" or counseling to deal with the "problem behaviors")
Ironically enough, just after I finished HS the SIMPSON'S became popular, and the term GIFTED UNDERACHIEVER also became a popular term... When I went to school however, bad grades meant STUPID... and there is no doubt, I carry some of the trauma and ridicule today (*Teachers just LOVE calling on ADD kids when they're not paying attention and singling them out.... supposedly to shame them into paying attention, but in reality, as an ADD'er I think it was just one trauma built on another!)

O.K. Years passed... and because of my inability to achieve in conventional settings I can't begin to describe all the problems, conflicts and restlessness I had in life... (and here is where I begin to get back on topic....)
HAVING READ THIS BOOK I actually read chapters of my own life story to such a point that had a been able to go back 28 years and been told "this is your future" - - I would have actually been able to read it and have SEEN my future (as well as perhaps get help.)

Anyway, recently I learned that I had ADHD, and you can have ADHD without being "hyper" - - and in looking deeper I realized that my life was a text book on ADD and it explained everything - - so here's my point:
Dr. Hallowell makes a lot of suggestions and leaves it open to the reader to choose... medication, therapy, coaching, 12 step program - - even yoga, medidation and nutritional supplements. Some may very well be quack therapies, others may be under-explored answers - - throw all bias aside fact is this: Had somebody given me this book 20 years ago... (long pause) I probably would have lost it (<-- ADD joke.... sorry.) But seriously... had I read this book a long time ago the anecdotes alone would have given me a lot of insight and helped circumvent a lot of pain.

In conclusion:- - No, the book does not offer an all in all 100% proven solves all single cure... but it offers OPTIONS... as well as anecdotes that not only demonstrate what its like to have ADD, but are cathartic to read as well... so I see this book as a gift... Looking back, I now realize I suffered because this wasn't common knowlege when I was a kid... on the other hand ADD is nothing new... there have been unfocused, disorganized yet creative people since the begining of time... now however, a syndrome that describes a condition that many people like me have is being formally studied and treatment options are being explored.

In conclusion, this book not only makes an insightful read, but may very well be a gift waiting to be given.
ORDER MULTIPLE COPIES ! ! !

A Wonderful Sequel to Driven to Distraction, but..., March 2, 2006
I purchased this book after having the good fortune and privilege to read Dr. Hallowell's original guide to ADD. Like its predecessor, Delivered From Distraction has many eye-opening and helpful chapters on the various aspects of Attention Deficit Disorder.

Outside of the usual jaw-dropping price of a hardback copy, I have only one reservation to relay, but it is an important one. Given Dr. Hallowell's otherwise comprehensive approach to ADD, I'm wondering why the very critical subject of employment was largely omitted from this sequel.

Aside from humorous speculation as to whether Mssr. Hallowell's own ADD might have resulted in this omission, I feel it should be taken seriously. Anyone who struggles (and in this respect is otherwise gifted as a result of) with ANYTHING would naturally wish to read about how employment should be handled. To his credit, Dr. Hallowell does recite patient experiences in the work world, but does not go further in devoting at least a chapter, for instance, on work and ADD.

Some questions that come to mind are: What are the types of employment issues people with ADD face today? What types of jobs might be more suitable for one with ADD? What does one do when faced with a crisis at work that stems from ADD? What kind of advocacy exists for workers with ADD? Considering that Dr. Hallowell cites work and home life (the two biggies in anyone's life) as critical to the well-being of someone with ADD, I am thus both surprised and disappointed.

Dr. Hallowell is a pioneer in the field of ADD and a trusted friend and resource for all with ADD. I believe our lives would be enhanced greatly if he were to address in greater depth this very important issue. I look forward to hearing from him on this subject in the future.

Short & Sweet review right here for some of you..., August 21, 2005
*1) Like many w/ possible ADD, I have "trouble reading", which includes getting myself to actually read even when interested, and extends to tremendous difficulty in FINISHING things/projects in life. This has been extraordinarily painful, b/c sometimes I can perform "at a very high level", even reading!.

##***2) For those who are unsure if they are ADD or if it even matters (& can't find out b/c they "can't read"), _DO_CHECK_OUT_THE_INTRODUCTION_. I CANNOT EMPHASIZE THIS ENOUGH. The vignette is spectacular.

2b) Yes, there exist: personal strength/responsibility, personal cultivation/willpower, values, discipline, etc. Many people seem to continually falter despite nonstop effort. However, in certain people, dramatic progress is achievable through a SOPHISTICATED managment of ADD. At least in some cases, self-flagellation is pointless if there exists a quality, evidence-based solution that intercepts the need for self-loathing.

3) For those who might have a complicated diagnosis (such as an adhd-&-Gently-bipolar mix), these authors are extraordinary clinicians. They even have quality analysis and evidence for the trade-off dangers and benefits of crossing-over treatments for these two!

4) For those w/ concerns of overdiagnosis & overmedication: see their acknowledgments of such, as well as facts pointing to underdiagnosis in some cases.

5) For those wanting to avoid medication, some ground is covered here.

6) For those who (perhaps with their doctor) think they might be, but find that they do not fit the "standard" ADD cariacature (including DSM criteria): This book may be a lifesaver.

Long on problem description short on answer description..., May 2, 2007
As someone new to the idea that I probably have ADD, this book gave me a lot of touchpoints from which I could discern that I probably have that "kind of mind". Yet there was precious little as far as definitive coping strategy is concerned.

They say in the book that a person with ADD needs lots of file cabinets, because they don't have "file cabinets" in their minds. That seems to be true of me. Yet the book is seems to be as disorderly as an ADD brain if you asked me. It rambles on and on with STORIES about ADD people and STORIES about ADD solutions. But there is little in the way of ORDERLY step by step "here's what you should do" stuff.

Hopefully, there's another book out there with more of what I'm looking for.

In all fairness, the book has an extensive resource guide to other books and even local doctors and support groups. It's just that I'm looking for quick orderly step by step answers, not a droning on and on and on discussion of problems and possibilities.

Delivered..., May 18, 2007
I think there are two ways to read this and Hallowell's other book. At first, each sentence felt like a kick in the gut to me. It felt so disabling; thinking of all the ways ADD can manifest itself and become an obstacle, how it had in my past and how it could in my future. But I think I was reading it with too much negativity. It's very easy to use these examples as a crutch, but in Delivered, Hallowell is framing his argument to be enlightening, not depressing.

Last night I started tearing up at some lines. It's so unifying, to know other people think this way, and to hear him describe it NOT as a disease or a dysfunction, just a difference in the way the brain processes information and sensations. ADDers are prone to negativity, which breeds more negativity, and so on. If you instead read this book with a positive approach, it's articulation, not punches in the gut.

To Hallowell, the only "disorder" present is that you can't bracket out the things that (supposedly) don't matter. To someone with ADD, everything matters, all stimuli is significant, all windows should be looked out, all ideas blurted out loud, all daydreams explored by the imagination. Sure this gets in the way of productivity, but I don't know if being that sensitive to input and engaged with life can really be described as a disorder.

I really believe this book will help people harness all their chaos and use it - whether it's with list-making and highlighters, the help of a good friend, planners, therapy, medication, creative outlets, whatever. There will still be chaos, but chaos with reason. Like really great guitar solos.

"We may make messes wherever we go, but with the right help, those messes can be turned into realms of reason and art." - Edward M. Hallowell.

how to control ADD, January 24, 2005

The two authors who both have ADD give much insight into treatments for ADD. They highly recommend physical exercise saying, "Ten minutes of exercise is equal to one Prozac and one Ritalin." Besides describing the usual types of treatments they offer various balance exercises and drawing drills to help rewire the brain. They offer a method of modifying AA's twelve steps to control ADD. They talk about other disorders like bipolar illness that often occur together with ADD. They have a whole chapter illustrating the subtle differences between the two. Basically ADD people are consistent with their moods, bipolar people cycle through periods where they might be quite functional.

WOW!!, September 13, 2005
I am a 41 year old woman.. stay home Mom with four kids. I have been incredibly disorganized and frustrated for many years and was recently diagnosed with Adult ADD. I decided to do some research to learn more about natural cures and basic understanding of this condition.. and this book has been awesome!! I have already changed things in my life.. from the ideas in the book.. I would say this is a MUST READ for anyone diagnosed with ADD or with a child with ADD... AWESOME BOOK!! ... Read more

Editorial Review

NEWLY REVISED AND UPDATED

The Out-of-Sync Child broke new ground by identifying Sensory Processing Disorder, a common but frequently misdiagnosed problem in which the central nervous system misinterprets messages from the senses. This newly revised edition features additional information from recent research on vision and hearing deficits, motor skill problems, nutrition and picky eaters, ADHA, autism, and other related disorders. ... Read more

Reviews

Informative and builds awareness on SI, December 6, 2005
My child's teacher let me borrow this book after some concerns about some sensory issues he was having. This book clearly lays out senses, their function and better yet examples of normal SI and sensory dysfunction. Although my child is not on the spectrum where he would be considered to have SID, the book provided me with an understanding as to why he seems to be sensory driven in everything he does. With the knowledge from this book, I can now "feed him a better sensory diet" as opposed to continue on with my frustrations. The book also has A TON of resources for those children who may need further evaluations.

Warning, April 10, 2007
Before you buy this book make sure you also buy at the same time "The Out of Sync Child has Fun."

Why , because you need both - The first book presents lots of different case studies but is strategy poor.
Book 2 , Has Fun , is jammed packed full of activities.

Four Stars because you have to buy both....looking for an alternative / another view try Raising a Sensory Smart Child: The Definitive Handbook for Helping Your Child with Sensory Integration Issues This is the Bible.... a must have.

Very Good Resource, August 28, 2005
I am a behavioral Consultant for children with Autism. I am always looking for good resources to better understand the children that I work with and how I can provide the best help to meet their needs. I previously purchased the companion to this book, The Out of Sync Child Has Fun. I found that it was a great resource for activities and that it provided an overview of different sensory issues. I realized that I needed this book to dive a little deeper into sensory disorders. I think that this has been a great resource for me and I refer it to the parents I work with as well. I also recomend the campanion book as well as I have found some great ideas in it.

Children with SPD disorders, December 17, 2006
This groundbreaking book deals wit the child with Sensory Processing Disorder , a disorder in which children misinterpret the message from their senses to their brain.
The book defines Sensory Processing Disorder , lists the common symptoms , as well as it's possible causes.
It analyses the different types of children with the disorder such as the overresponsive child , the underresponsive child and the sensory-seeking child as well as how to identify these problems.
Lots of case studies.
The second part of the book deals with how to cope with SPD , with lots of practical advice and lots of games and exercises to help the SPD child.

An indispensable guide to parents , teachers , therapists and anyone else with concerns about the 'out of sync' child.

Completely opened my eyes, March 1, 2008
This book was recommended to me by an Occupational Therapist after he evaluated my son through the state. At this point, I had no idea what SI was or that my son had it (also autism diagnosis). Since then, this book has become my primary resource for my son and other children I encounter. I've given copies to every member of my family and to my son's teachers. Why? Because it explains why kids do and act the way they do when they have sensory dysfunction.

One thing my son used to do was put his head on the ground to look at toys. He also used to avoid touching paint, glue, playDoh. He couldn't tolerate a playground and even family birthday parties were overwhelming. This book explains all of these things - all of the reasons why my son was acting the way he was. And since then, with the help of an occupational therapist, we've corrected these behaviors. My son is happier than ever. He still has SI, but he knows how to avoid certain situations and he's learning how to adapt to school, parks, the world in general.

Carol Stock Kranowitz explains and gives examples of why some kids act out in class, are aggressive, shy, etc. Anyone who is around special needs children will benefit from the knowledge on these pages. It's changed my entire world.

Like with anything new, learning the ins and outs of sensory integration takes time. It's not a super easy read and until you're familiar with the terms (tactile, vestibular, proprioception, gravitational insecurity, etc) it takes some getting used to. Don't be turned off by this last sentence, anyone can learn it and understand and then apply the techniques.

Id even recommend this for parents of typical children as everyone can benefit.

Here's the parts the book is split into:

1. Recognizing Sensory Integration Dysfunction
2. Coping with Sensory Integration Dysfunction

Some of the chapters include:

Does your child have Sensory Integration Dysfunction?
How to tell if your child has a problem with the Tactile sense
Your child at Home
Your child at School
Coping with your child's emotions
Looking at your child in a new light

There are also a number of resources listed in the back of the book.

A Must Read for ANY parent, March 9, 2006
This book is the must-read for every parent, whether their children suffer from sensory integration or not. It is an eye opening look into the way we interpret our surroundings, and has given me information, tools, and hope for my daughter, who suffers severe developmental delays from this disorder. I would highly reccommend this book!

The Out-of-Sync Child, October 10, 2005
This book is excellent. It is a resource I will treasure and share for many years to come.

It is informative and encouraging to parents of children who just don't fit the "norm". Self tests help to determine if you should seek professional help. There are practicle techinques offered to try at home.

I am keeping this book as a reference for my child's future teachers as well as myself.

Very Pleased!, October 13, 2005
I have two children that experiece this disorder and I really enjoy this book. It is very down to earth as well as provides me with the insight and oppertunities to create better communication and life with our children. I would highly recommed it to anyone as alot of individuals are missed in their diagnosis and this could provide some great information.

Understanding a complicated behaviour, February 24, 2006
This book is very easy to read and understand. Once I began reading the introduction I identified a lot of the behaviours with a child in my care. The author has a great pen and a complete understanding of her topic choice. I recommend this book to all who are concerned about a child in their care whose behaviours you don't quite understand.

A "must have" for anyone with a child with sensory processing problems!, September 6, 2005
When my oldest son was diagnosed with a sensory processing disorder we were desperate to find out what that meant and, more importantly, what we could do about it. This book was recommended to me by another parent and I have since given a copy to each set of grandparents and a close friend. Not only does it give a thorough explanation of SPDs, but it also includes checklists for diagnosis, coping strategies, teacher helps, and lots more. Exactly what we needed! ... Read more

Editorial Review

What′s an explosive child? A child who responds to routine problems with extreme frustration-crying, screaming, swearing, kicking, hitting, biting, spitting, destroying property, and worse. A child whose frequent, severe outbursts leave his or her parents feeling frustrated, scared, worried, and desperate for help. Most of these parents have tried everything-reasoning, explaining, punishing, sticker charts, therapy, medication-but to no avail. They can′t figure out why their child acts the way he or she does; they wonder why the strategies that work for other kids don′t work for theirs; and they don′t know what to do instead.

Dr. Ross Greene, a distinguished clinician and pioneer in the treatment of kids with social, emotional, and behavioral challenges, has worked with thousands of explosive children, and he has good news: these kids aren′t attention-seeking, manipulative, or unmotivated, and their parents aren′t passive, permissive pushovers. Rather, explosive kids are lacking some crucial skills in the domains of flexibility/adaptability, frustration tolerance, and problem solving, and they require a different approach to parenting.

Throughout this compassionate, insightful, and practical book, Dr. Greene provides a new conceptual framework for understanding their difficulties, based on research in the neurosciences. He explains why traditional parenting and treatment often don′t work with these children, and he describes what to do instead. Instead of relying on rewarding and punishing, Dr. Greene′s Collaborative Problem Solving model promotes working with explosive children to solve the problems that precipitate explosive episodes, and teaching these kids the skills they lack.

Editorial Review

In this innovative book, Dr. Temple Grandin gets down to the REAL issues of autism, the ones parents, teachers, and individuals on the spectrum face every day. Temple offers helpful do's and don'ts, practical strategies, and try-it-now tips, all based on her "insider" perspective and a great deal of research. These are just some of the specific topics Temple delves into:

How and Why People with Autism Think Differently

Economical Early Intervention Programs that Work

How Sensory Sensitivities Affect Learning

Behaviors Caused by a Disability vs. Just Bad Behaviors

Teaching People with Autism to Live in an Unpredictable World

Alternative Medicine vs. Conventional Medicine

Employment Ideas for Adults with Autism

And many more!

PLUS an exclusive interview between world-renowned psychologist Dr. Tony Attwood and Temple Grandin! ... Read more

Reviews

Look at the child, not the child's label., September 25, 2008

Please read this book if there is a person with autism/asperger's in your life!, September 2, 2008

Insightful, pragmatic, and encouraging book, August 27, 2008

A reassuring and valuable resource -- should be required reading for all educators, September 18, 2008

Autism explained, September 6, 2008

Wow! This is a great little book on autism spectrum disorder!, September 5, 2008

Best book on the subject of Autism and Asperger's, September 4, 2008

Common sense isn't -- but Temple Grandin has it, August 28, 2008

Great Insight! Dr. Grandin has really provided a wonderful perspective as an author., March 8, 2009
I've read 2 of Temple Grandin's previous books (Emergence and Thinking in Pictures). This book, which I understand is a collection of articles she's written in recent years, gives yet more insight into autism and asperger's from a 1st person perspective. I'm a 33 year old man who has many things in common with Temple, including my own autism/asperger's, being content with and at peace with remaining single as an adult, having to cope with harassment/bullying from other children in school growing up, and having difficulties with making friends growing up as well. In 5th grade I was placed in a special ed class for that school year. In my case, having visual aids to help me learn things and, when growing up, having gentle prodding from my parents and teachers would help me stop daydreaming and concentrate on schoolwork or other things I had to give my attention to. Like Temple the world has always been difficult for me to understand. But in recent years I've been receiving help with overcoming my disability via an agency in my hometown that's part of the NC state UNC system. Dr. Grandin's books have really helped me understand myself better.

A great collection of insights into Autism/Aspergers, September 18, 2008

Editorial Review

Reviews

marginally helpful, November 16, 2009
This book provides interesting background, though it excludes so many areas of psychology and neurophysiology. I do like very much the way executive function is broken into the specific areas of skill acquisition. And the real life examples provided to illustrate struggles are excellent. As both a clinician and a parent, I find the solutions offered completely unrealistic for all except the youngest children - maybe 8 and under. It is a very good attempt at tackling this emerging science in comprehensible terms for parents and professionals who work with children. My biggest criticism is on the section regarding organization. If that is your primary concern as a reader, look elsewhere. This section is not correct and very inadequate.

INVALUABLE resource, February 4, 2010
I bought this about 8 months ago to read for tips on how to help our teenage son, who has high functioning autism,ADD, and anxiety. It has become possibly the best book resource for helping us help him with organization at home and school. I just read a section to him yesterday as we were considering the possibility of increasing his medication--the checklist of questions provided in the book helped us to make our decision.

One thing the book talks about is how OUR own executive weaknesses can exacerbate our kids' struggles. Through reading this section I realized I have HUGE problem in estimating how long things take to accomplish, and how this has affected my life, in creating stress for me, and how this has impacted my being able to help my son, who also has this weakness.

I also appreciate the respectful tone the book has towards the struggles kids have. The authors do not focus on blame, but rather focus on dealing with the problems and solving them

Extremely practical, realistic and hopeful. Two words--BUY IT! You won't be disappointed.

Smart but Scattered, March 28, 2009
As a Special Ed. teacher, I found this book to be very helpful. It is user friendly and has easy to use forms. I was originally looking for information as to how to get my students organized with homework and day to day tasks. This book had what I was looking for and some. I recommend it for teachers and parents as well.

Both practical and sophisticated: A great resource, August 27, 2009
I am a child/adolescent psychologist. This book is excellent in terms of helping you identify areas in need of support and providing practical ways to help support kids to be more successful at home and at school. I highly recommend it to parents, teachers, and psychologists. The content is particularly relevant for intermediate elementary grades, middle school, and high school students.

Great for Parents, October 2, 2010
I noticed that a lot of reviews were written by special ed teachers and psychologists, and wanted to add mine as a parent. This book FINALLY shed light on the challenges my son faces at home and school. It not only gave me concrete tools and ideas to help him strengthen his executive skills, but also an understanding of what was going on, which led to more patience on my part. Nagging him to get organized and constantly reminding him to stay on task was not helping. His executive skill weaknesses were beginning to lead to low self-esteem and a "better not to try than to fail" attitude. This book has helped me to begin turning that around. It was recommended to me by a psychologist. If anyone has ever hinted that your child might be ADHD-- read this book before accepting any labels.

Great reference for parents and educators., February 8, 2009
Dawson and Guare have delievered a great book at a more than reasonable price. This book is recommedned to parents, by our school team, when they have a have a child with executive function difficulties. It gives them real tools to work with their child and reduce frustrations at home. I gave it to all of my educator/psychologist friends becasue it is a great reference to help parents help their kids. You can even apply some of the tools listed to yourself if you are a "scattered" adult!

Great Resource, January 30, 2009
I got this for a friend as I picked her for Kris Kringle this past Christmas at the office. She was also leaving to start a new job and I thought this would be a great resource in her new job along with some other things. She told me it has turned out to be really good and she uses it all the time, she is a home-school liaison and counselor. I am a school psychologist and I have been planning to get this book for some time now. Her revelation of just how useful it is proves I'll be getting it. It is also good for parents with children that have ADHD or lack the skills to be more organized.

Practical help for parenting, November 9, 2010
I initially checked this book out at the library, read it, re-read it and then photocopied a few pages and returned it. I have a child who struggles with all areas of organizational skills, time management, goal directed behavior and this book has practical suggestions on how to address the problems in a systematic way and while recognizing that the improvements will not be immediate. For example, my son would disappear into his bedroom to put his shoes on, get distracted by a book or toy and 15 minutes later, I would find him on the floor in his bedroom with his shoes still off. By setting a goal for him to require less reminders (instead of going from 10 reminders to 0 reminders), we can make progress toward the goal without getting discouraged along the way. I found myself wanting to use this book for reference when a new problem would crop up. It's well written, gives great examples and illustrations and is a great resource for those who are parenting or teaching kids who struggle with executive skills. I have many parenting resources and this one stands alone with its' detailed and systematic approach to helping kids develop life-skills.

Amazing book!, April 10, 2010
This is an amazing book for any parent, child care person or teacher who needs to interact with kids with executive functioning issues. I myself had poor working memory issues and have a 7th grader who needed a lot of help in this area. I also have a 7 year old that I never could understand. He has poor impulsiveness and emotional control. This book really, really helped me to understand him and figure out how to help him. I highly recommend the book. The only negative is that I think there could have been more hands on solutions to help kids (even though there were a lot) and maybe that is because I am a teacher, a person who overcame working memory issues and taught my 7th grader how to overcome them so I already had a bunch of tricks up my sleeves that weren't in the book.

Smart but Scattered, March 21, 2010
An informative book that helps explain the reasons behind the often unexplainable thought process, or at times the lack of, that occurs in the individual with ADHD.
Helpful for the family member living with someone with ADHD and potentially eye opening for the individual diagnosed with ADHD. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Newly revised, featuring the most up-to-date research, effective strategies, and real-life stories

The spirited child—often called "difficult" or "strong-willed"—possesses traits we value in adults yet find challenging in children. Research shows that spirited kids are wired to be "more"—by temperament, they are more intense, sensitive, perceptive, persistent, and uncomfortable with change than the average child. In this revised edition of the award-winning classic, voted one of the top twenty books for parents, Kurcinka provides vivid examples and a refreshingly positive viewpoint. Raising Your Spirited Child will help you:

• understand your child's­—and your own—temperamental traits
• discover the power of positive—rather than negative—labels
• cope with the tantrums and power struggles when they do occur
• plan for success with a simple four-step program
• develop strategies for handling mealtimes, sibling rivalry, bedtimes, holidays, and school, among other situations

Editorial Review

Consumer text focuses on the particular dilemmas and challenges of adults with ADD. Provides organizational skills for life, allowing energy to be focused on strengths, rather than disorder, through the use of humor and compassion. Softcover. ... Read more

Reviews

Finally!!, December 27, 2003
I have read 7 or 8 books on ADD, all of which promised to suggest organizing strategies that someone with ADD can implement and maintain. Those books spent 95% of the time defining the problem, and the other 5% on general advice like, "you need lots of structure." I learned more about ADD in general from this book than any other, and I recognized several traits that I'd always struggled with, but hadn't realized were common among ADDers. This book gave me practical, useable advice on HOW to simplify and structure my life, so that I can achieve and maintain order and reach my goals without becoming overwhelmed and giving up in frustration. By implementing the maintenance strategies first, I now feel that I can tackle the chaos and clutter a little at a time, and get out from under. I can feel my depression lifting, and I feel hopeful for the first time in a long while. Great book!

Not for the single, July 18, 2003
When I got this book I thought that I finally might find organizing strategies that work for me. This book does offer strategies for finding what works for each individual rather than a one size fits all approach which is why I gave it 3 stars instead of less.
The book seems most helpful for those who have roommates or family to provide support during the process of setting up new systems. Or for those with the money to hire a professional to work with them on this process. I have friends who want to help me make more life more livable but none has the kind of time that this book requires.
I picked up a book called Outwitting Clutter by Bill Adler. It may be simplistic for some of the readers here. I found it very helpful. It's the first book that actually led to organizing action on my part.

What I've been looking for, January 1, 2003
This is an excellent book. I'm a clinical psychologist working with ADD clients, and I have ADD myself. This is the book I've been looking for. Have ordered several copies for my clients, and one for my professional organizer. Easy to read, holds your attention (a small miracle), written in ADD-friendly style, and full of useful information and suggestions. It's simply the best book on the subject around.

Who Knew?, March 10, 2006
I was just diagnosed with ADD a few months ago. Since it was new to me (I wasn't self-diagnosed and knew very little about it), I came to Amazon to buy a book that had been recommended to me. "ADD-Friendly Ways to Organize Your Life" was the other half of a "better together" offer with that one, so I went ahead and bought it. I just finished writing a 3-star review of that recommended book. I've learned more about ADD in general from this one, to say nothing of organizing.

Okay, I have two post-graduate degrees and work in research, so you'd think I could figure these things out by myself... But if the only ideas I retain from this book are to organize on shelves instead of in drawers and vertically rather than horizontally, it will have been a savior. Reading the sentence "Retire your dresser" was a eureka moment! Who knew that something like that could make such a difference? I now have shelves in the closet for my clothes and actually put them away after I do laundry. At the office, I've grabbed an abandoned metal magazine rack from the supply room so I can keep current projects vertical and in sight without having to put more on my desk than is already there. There are some suggestions in the book that seem counterintuitive, or contradict common advice on organization, but as soon as I read them I knew they were just what I needed. Whether there really is something about the "ADD brain" that makes these off-beat suggestions work, I have no idea, but I don't really care.

My closest match in the book chapters was "Chaos," and I have a long way to go, believe me. I think the fact that the person presented in that chapter was single was a big help to me. As some others have said, I can't use all the suggestions in the book for using outside resources, and not all of the chapters fit my situation, but the suggestions I can use are more than worth the price and the time. Something that made the book even more useful is that it doesn't cover just home, or just work, or just any other part of life, but has ideas that can be integrated into the whole.

I'd read the reviews here before I bought the book, and wondered if I'd find it "dumbed down" in wording or format, but it doesn't seem that way to me. Maybe it's because I spend a lot of time online and reading technical material, but I'm so used to reading things with bullets, and charts, and lists, that it just seems natural. It may not be great literature, but it's not meant to be. It is the most helpful material I've ever read on organizing my life.

The best organizing book I've found for those of us with ADD, February 11, 2004
For most of my life, I have known that I don't quite organize my things or thoughts etcetera like most people and all of the "Get your life organized" or traditional methods detailed in organizational books never seemed to help me.

Then, perhaps a year ago, I picked up this book and what a transformation. Even the structure of the book is to capitalize on the attention span of those with ADD as each chapter is broken up into short pieces to make its point and then move on to the next one.

Like anyone with ADD, I find that while doing some of the work on my own has been helpful, I definitely need to follow up with some of the "other support people" that the book describes. I might carry through one day or even for a string of days, but can quickly slip back into old, inefficient patterns (that often have been habit forming over a lifetime of being disorganized).

I find that this book is very positive and makes you feel like having ADD can be a strength rather than a weakness.

I hope you find it helpful.

Much more than how to organize your stacks of stuff, October 4, 2005
I bought this book hoping it would help me sort my stacks of papers that constantly threaten to topple off my desk, kitchen table, etc. And it has, but it is so much more. It gives hints on how to organize all aspects of your life to make living with ADD easier. I've highlighted and dog-eared it up, and have started applying a lot of things from the book; something that I can't say for other books I've read.

And unlike a lot of so-called ADD-friendly books, this one is easy to stay in tune with almost all the time.

echoes of "Conquering Chronic Disorganization" - superb!, September 7, 2005
I was daunted by the thickness of the book when I received it - I was hoping for a fun read like Judith Kolberg's book "Conquering Chronic Disorganization" which was more in a story form. This has all the makings of a textbook! Don't get me wrong - you couldn't pry this book out of my hands. I would, however, have liked to see more of Ms. Kolberg's enlightening thoughts and style from her earlier book transferred to this book (ex: I liked the story in the first book about the body double, it made more of an impression on me than this book did).

It is filled to the brim with REAL solutions. The authors claimed to offer ADD-friendly organizing solutions. They deliver and MORE. I was tempted to hop and skip through the book, but gems of information were hidden on every page - even in sections I thought didn't apply to me.

One suggestion to the authors: Please consider converting your info into a "study" program (ex, color coded folders for each section). I wanted to present this book as a gift to my ADD mother, but realized it is too much for her. We Add'ers need a more visually-friendly "tactile" presentation to refer back to make notes and such as we begin our journey of applying what we have learned.

This book is already a classic... and indispensable tool for ADD'ers. I am left with a new determination with skills in hand to improve my life. My hats off to you!

By far the BEST!!!!!, November 10, 2004
I have done TONS of research on ADD/ADHD since I found out 4 1/2 months ago at age 22 that I have ADHD. I can NOT believe how awesome this book is!

1st: It is laid out so that people with ADD/ADHD can read it more easily. I didn't know that I do read things easier if they are bullited and such. And this book is set up like that. Very easy to follow - both with/without ADD/ADHD.

2nd: The BEST format as far as information goes. It has a story of someone who does something (that is AD/HD related), then has ways that person can help themselves. Then step two has ways that person can get help from friends and family, and finally, it lists ways a professional can help. It also has lots of different ideas to help get organized that are easy, cheap and not too difficult!

3rd: This book can be set down and picked up at any given point with out the reader getting lost - and we all know that that is important when we talk about this catigory!!! I keep a mechanical pencil in the book at all times and am constantly circling/highlighting/staring next to paragraphs and sentences! I always jot down little notes in the margins of the book and I love to go back and read through them again for reference to myself!!!

A MUST BUY FOR ANYONE WITH THIS FUN, yet CHALLENGING lifestyle (I hate calling it a disorder!!).... Please spend your money on this book. You WON'T be disappointed!

A Must Have for ADDers with organizing issues, September 16, 2002
It's about time a book specifically about ADD and organizing was written. This book was well worth the wait!

I was pleasantly surprised that the size of the book is larger than many other ADD books and so is the Print itself.

The set up of the book is VERY "ADD Friendly". Main ideas are bulleted and highlighted. There are also review sections at end of each chapter. There are some very useful charts and even some a few pictures of specific organizing tools.

The ideas and suggestion given in this book may be be very helpful to people with ADD. There are some great suggestion that seem too easy to help but as somebody who has used many of them, they do help.

A Wonderful Book for ADD disorginization!!, April 23, 2004
I would recomend this book to anyone with ADD, after reading books and magezines trying to organize my life this one was the best ever! It is so easy to follow with ending notes after each chapter to remind you of the important points in that chapter. It gives diagrams, pictures, and illistrations, everything an ADDer needs in a good book. Every chapter was like looking into a mirror but ACTUALLY getting help from it! Not just another ADD book that tells you you need therepy and this is what is wrong with you, it explains why you do these things and then give simple suggestions that are easy to follow. I would recomend this to anyone who has organization problems even those who don't but have ADD. I am going to pass this through my whole family so maby it can help them too! ... Read more

Editorial Review

The thought of losing control can cause major problems for children who live with anxiety. Now, parents, teachers and children have a helpful tool that gives young children an opportunity to exploretheir own feelings with parents or teachers as they react to events in their daily lives. Engagingand easy to read, this illustrated children s book is filled with opportunities for children to participate in developing their own self-calming strategies. Children who use the simple strategiesin this charming book, illustrated by the author, will find themselves relaxed and ready to focus on work or play! ... Read more

Reviews

An excellent tool for dealing with anxiety in children!, August 17, 2007
I am a behavioral therapist treating children with Autism and so far this book has proved to be a vital tool for dealing with anxiety-related behaviors. The number/rating scale helps children gauge their own level of anxiety without having to come up with the right words to say and then gives them the tools to calm themselves down instead of hitting, biting, etc. Highly recommended!!

What an excellent tool!, September 30, 2007
This book is an excellent tool for children having diffiulties controlling their emotions. The visual thermometer and the "social story" makes it very helpful to assist these children to learn how to respond to their feelings/emotions more appropriately. My four year old likes to look at his thermometer and read the story every time he has reached a "5". It's been very helpful for him.

Giving Children Strategies, October 13, 2009
I bought this for my 5-year-old son, and I thought he would throw it across the room, because he often rejects my attempts at "talking through" his anger. But he was fascinated and seemed quite relieved to have been given a strategy to help himself. He often speaks in terms of feeling like a "5" or a "3". It is, for me, a helpful context for understanding his moods. That night, after we first worked through the book, he wrote me a picture and a card saying, "Thank you, Mama. I love the book." I am now about to check out some of the other books by this author. Although these books are published by the "autism- asberger" society, or some such organization, I think it is invaluable for any child who struggles with feelings that feel too big...

Works great for my 4 yr. old, August 19, 2008
I used this book with my barely 4 year old (developmentally normal) who has 'anger management' issues that originate with anxiety. There are pages in the book that we were able to write or draw pictures of how he felt. The scale of 1 (calm and safe) to 5 (out of control) was a concept that he grasped right away. He is getting better and better at recognizing when he's getting worried before he gets to a 5. If he does lose control and melts down, just the verbal cue "what number are you at" or asking him to calm down and try to get back to a 1 or 2, and he immediately starts to use his strategies - deep breathing, squeezing hands, thinking happy thoughts. I love this book.

Great for all kids, helpful for parents and teachers, January 6, 2008
I have bought and given several copies of this book. It helps give a language to feelings that might otherwise be hard to describe.

Great Resource for Kids Who Struggle With Strong Emotions, May 6, 2007
I'd say for toddler through 8 years (emotional/social scale). Wonderful book to give alternatives to hitting, biting, etc.

A Great Book for Kids and Parents, March 23, 2009
Both of my kids are a bit anxious and this book is fantastic. The suggestions of what to do, i.e. deep breathing are excellent.

mom of child with autism, November 2, 2008
awesome book very good to understand. a little beyond my daughter who is 5.5 years. But I got great ideas to make it easy for her

Great Workbook!, August 15, 2008
This is a great book to work with your child. You can personalize it and change it as they grow.
Barbara V

Worry Book for Kids, June 26, 2008
This is a really cute book for kids who worry. It is not real meaty but the concept is great. It helps them put worry into perspective and gives a scale to help prioritize worries. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Using breakthrough diagnostic techniques, Dr. Daniel Amen has discovered that there are six distinct types of ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder), each requiring a different treatment. With recommendations for prescription drugs, nutraceutical therapy, cognitive reprogramming, parenting and educational strategies, biofeedback, self-hypnosis and more, this revolutionary approach can lead sufferers of ADD to a normal, fully-functional life. ... Read more

Reviews

Healing ADD, February 28, 2001
Healing ADD is a landmark book that every counselor, psycholgist, psychiatrist,and pastor will want to have. More importantly if you struggle with ADD or know someone who does this book is a must read. I and the therapists who are associated with me have referred over 600 people in the last four years for SPECT Brain Imaging Scans. As a psychotherapist I have found Dr. Amen's work to be truly a landmark in the field of psychiatry, psychology and medicine in general. "Healing ADD" helps the reader to identify which of the six types of ADD that they have, and then the practical steps to take for treatment. An alarming number of people are medically mismanaged when it comes to ADD treatment, and the work that Dr. Amen has done through over 10,000 SPECT Brain Imaging Scans has resulted in a system of diagnosis and medication management that brings more precision to the care of the ADD patient.So many of the horror stories and bad press that Ritalin is given are due to inaccurate diagnosis. Ritalin or another stimulant will be prescribed when another system of the brain needs to be treated first before a stimulant is given. The checklists that are provided in Dr.Amen's book will give the reader a guide as to whether the counselor or physcian they are working with is headed in the right direction with the treatment program they design. What is also exciting about this work is how it educates and empowers the lay person to truly be in charge of their care, and be able to ask their therapist, or physcian the needed questions to make sure they are getting the most up to date care and treatment possible. This is a book that the lay person and professional will benefit from. If you are being treated for ADD you might want to purchase a copy for your doctor.

Earl R. Henslin Psy.D., B.C.E.T.S. Board Certified Expert in Traumatic Stress Diplomate in the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress

hargray, September 14, 2003
I was the terror of the neighborhood, failed grade 1,
dropped out of high school after grade 10, then after the
army, 3 teachers talked me into returning to school. A
VERY difficult journey began - hard to concentrate, memory
problems, hyperactivity, and etc. It took a LOT of help,
but ultimately I received a BA, MEd, and Ph.D. I became a
chief of psychology in a psychiatric hospital, teacher,
therapist -- and then at 46 years of age, I was diagnosed
with ADHD. Suddenly, "everything" made sense, as the
disorder was 'classic' to how I had behaved, thought,
struggled with relationships, and etc. MEDICATIONS
comletely turned MY life around (as my wife, friends, and
work associates would affirm) - they don't work for everyone,
but for me, it was like a miracle from heaven. Of course, the
anti-medication zealots will not wish to believe this, but
my experience is like that of so many others I have seen IN MY
PRACTICE AS A PSYCHOLOGIST. When medications work, they
really do a great job. When they don't, the experience can
be very disappointing, and anger can run high. I also
conducted over 500, 1-day seminars in almost every state in
the USA, and provinces in Canada (this took place over a
14 year period). Having said all of this - the absolute
best book in the field, based on my having read scores of books,
articles, and my experiences factored in, is Dr. Amen's book!!!
I have, in fact, cleared out about 80% of all the AD/HD
literature I had, and Dr. Amen's book remains my favorite.
It is the ONLY book I now recommend to individuals who ask
for my opinion, as a psychologist WITH ADHD.

Amen For New Information About Attention Deficit Disorder, February 20, 2001
Are you a parent confused about what doctors are saying about your child's difficulties? Are you a person having a problem finding a good fit for yourself in readings about problems in attention, anger outbursts, depression, getting stuck on things, road rage, alcohol or substance misuse, or disorganization? Are you a mental health clinician or medical doctor who wonders if ADD and ADHD exist and doesn't mind telling your patients that? Welcome to the club. Happily, after reading this book, you may drop your club membership.

Daniel G Amen MD writes and talks to you about the six major types of ADD in his newest book, "Healing ADD." Confusion turns into clarity as you learn about kids and adults with ADD and the add-on symptoms that confuse even some experts.

Using specialized SPECT brain scans, Amen shows where the parts of the brain that are having trouble functioning are and how they are detected.

This book is rich in the details of the lives of persons afflicted with ADD. It brings alive the torments endured when ADD is not properly diagnosed, subtyped, or appropriately treated. It also describes the promise, indeed the results, of well-tailored treatment based on an accurate understanding of the complexities associated with ADD.

While considered controversial, physicians and clinicians are giving Dr Amen's approach increasing acceptance. More locations and physicians are offering evaluations and treatment in part based on brain SPECT scans. More centers are making these specialized scans available.

For the appropriately skeptical physician practicing evidence-based medicine, the needed research details about the role of brain SPECT scans in evaluation and treatment of ADD and its associated disorders are yet to be done. Yet many of those physicians are not conversant with such recommendations as the National Institute of Mental Health Guidelines about ADD or other recently published large research-based studies. I found it hard to read this book and not be intrigued to want to learn even more.

For parents, teachers, and persons with ADD, this book will enlarge their understanding, if not their acceptance, of the emotional and behavioral problems inflicted by this disorder. For mental health clinicians, including physicians whose practice has persons with ADD, "Healing ADD" is close to a "must read" work.

Technical but easy to understand, open to natural treatment., February 27, 2001
I really appreciated the explanation of the different parts of the brain and how they should work, but don't in the ADD brain. There is a list of 71 questions which helps you determine which type of ADD you are, and recommendations for how to change your lifestyle (diet, exercise) to give you more focus.

Unlike most ADD books, this one does not focus on children but should be very useful for children with ADD. There is a chapter for each type of ADD. Prescription medications are discussed, as are natural and over-the-counter alternatives. When you read this, it will give you a really good idea which meds or supplements are likely to work best for you, in combination with changes in diet and exercising frequently. Medication alone is most often not enough.

There is a section on ADD coaching. It gives exercises to help determine what is most important to you, and advice of accomplishing goals.

fascinating and validating, December 26, 2002
Dr. Daniel Amen describes several sets of ADD symptoms, illustrating them with images of abnormal brain activity in those who suffer from the symptoms. While I'm not convinced that his six types are all really primarily ADD, or that they are the only types of ADD, still, this book provides fascinating insight into the physical basis for psychiatric difficulties. Dr. Amen's case studies are fascinating and quite compelling, and he shows both great tenderness for his clients and great insight into the needs and difficulties of people with ADD.

This book is extremely valuable for debunking the myth that ADD is not a real disability. Dr. Amen's use of brain imaging technology demonstrates the ways that some people's brains work differently and ineffectively. It's not just laziness--when people with ADD try to concentrate, the part of our brain that controls concentration just shuts down. It's genuinely a physical disability. Although I can "feel" this, to see it verified in black-and-white was extremely validating.

While Amen's treatments might be experimental, his diagnostic methods do not seem so. It is not "experimental" to use brain imaging technology to identify where the brain is working properly and not working enough. This has been done for many years. And it's not true that Amen's work is completely "out there"--his work was reviewed by research physicians in two departments (nuclear medicine and neurology, I think) at UCLA and found to be "good medicine" and worthwhile. Comparisons made in other reviews to procedures completely unsupported by any scientific evidence are really in themselves unsupportable.

I am not a doctor and can't recommend whether the treatments outlined in this book should be implemented. I can say that people with ADD, and those around them who doubt the reality of their difficulties, will learn a lot from looking at the brain images in this book and understanding the connections between the brain's impaired functioning and the associated symptoms.

Reading this book almost makes me feel that "normal" psychiatry is working in the dark without tools... Dr Amen might or might not have made as much progress in the field as this book appears to demonstrate, but nonetheless I think he must be on the right track. I wonder whether it will one day seem to us that trying to guess what's wrong with someone's brain without looking at it, is as strange as trying to diagnose strep throat over the phone.

Some new light on ADD!, March 10, 2001
At last! Some real guidance through the difficulties of identifying, let alone trying to correct ADD. I'm the director of a nutritional therapy clinic. We have sent several people with ADD (as well as with brain injury and stroke) to Dr. Amen's clinics. Until now, though, I never understood why his medication protocols typically worked so well. His book makes it clear, using fascinating "before and after" SPECT "photos" of the ADD brains treated, that there are several distinct kinds of ADD. It goes on to explain the special treatments suitable for each. Dr. Amen also devotes several chapters to some effective, non-drug options. Like his first great book, Change Your Brain, Change Your Life, this one is full of inspiring case histories, and is so readable that you can't put it down.

Excellent Resource for ADD, June 6, 2006
This book is an excellent resource on ADD / ADHD. I have been reading and attending workshops on ADD since my son was 8 and he is now 30. I was diagnosed with ADD myself in my late 40's, and now take Adderall. It took me 2 years to find the right medication. Dr. Amen shares suggested medication for the 6 different types of ADD, which can save you time and money in Dr. appointments and trying medications and different doses of medications that don't fit your needs. This book is worth it's weight in gold. My family suffered a great deal because of my son's ADD and the difficulty of getting it diagnosed. I have purchased 19 of these books and given them to teachers, counselors, doctors and parents of children with ADD. I gave this book to the past Head of Psychiatry at University of Birmingham and he was extremely impressed with it. Taking the test to see which type or types of ADD you have is simple and right on the money. I read Dr. Amen's first book "Change Your Brain Change Your Life," and was so impressed with it, I called his office to see if he could see my son. I was told he didn't treat patients anymore, and asked for a referral of a Dr. somewhat close to me (since I live on the East Coast). I took my son to Dr. George Stein in Alexandria, VA (who they referred me to), and I truly believe he saved my son's life. My son is doing great now, and it's because of Dr. Amen and Dr. Stein.
I suggest you tell everyone you know that deals with ADD about this book. It will be the best thing you can do for them.

Wish I woulda known earlier..., February 28, 2001
Well, I found which type of ADD that I had, and understand it and myself better. No one ever believed me when I said that ritalin made it worse, but this book confirmed what I felt. What really scared me is the similarities between my school performance and that of many of the examples in the book. I didn't graduate high school on time, even though I am very intelligent. I haven't had time to complete the book yet (midterms are this week and next week), but from what I have read it is an excellent book, and very accurate. If you have Add, you owe it to yourself to learn more about it through reading this book.

A Good Start, October 28, 2004
Through his groundbreaking research Dr. Amen, a well-respected psychiatrist, demonstrates that ADD/ADHD is a neurological disorder, which can be positively identified using brain imaging. Although some experts in the field may take exception to his characterization of different ADD/ADHD sub-types (since we have always identified many of those sub-types as co morbid disorders existing with ADD), he makes a valuable contribution to our understanding and therefore treatment of ADD/ADHD. Surprisingly, by identifying each of the sub-types, he makes medication recommendations, which have been used by many doctors for years, they just never called it what Dr. Amen does. A good read for struggling parents of ADD/ADHD kids who are not responding to standard stimulant medications and those wishing broader and more diverse knowledge of the field.
Ali Hashemian, Ph.D.

Dr. Amen's book helped change my (daughter's) life!!!, April 5, 2003
My daughter will be eleven this month. About a year ago, I found this book quite by accident while browsing ADD topics on MSN. I had had continuous school problems with my daughter since kindergarten. Before that, I knew she was different from other kids. From kindergarten through 4th grade I ran from doctor to doctor trying to figure out what was wrong. I was introduced to ADD-ADHD at the age of 5-6. From there after an MRI and trips Children's Hospital - we had different maybe diagnosis' that ranged from a non-verbal learning disability to asperger's disorder. By 4th grade I was at my whit's end. A terrible year in school!! Then one day I found this book. It described my daughter to a tee!! OVERFOCUSED ADD - TYPE 3!!!! She could not help herself - she could not help being difficult!! Now let me mention that my daughter had already been on several different ADHD medications since kindergarten - and she was still having these problems!! I then took her to a PHD level Psychologist who did a full Neuro-pysch and behaviorial evaluation on my daughter who recommended a medicine - the same medicine that Dr. Amen used on one of his "hopeless" patients. "Risperdal" An anti-psychotic medication that works wonders on this type of ADD. It does not mean that the person is psychotic - just works wonders on this type of Overfocused ADD. I swear - you could see the change in my daughter within a week!!! We could never have a conversation - because something else was always pulling her away after less than 2 sentences. She could not transition - I had to drag her from one place to another. She was always fixated on things. TV - cats - rocks - bugs -gems - gliter- etc. She had no social skills. She sat like an aborigine! She ate like an animal. She was a bull in a china shop!! She was distructive. She broke all her toys. Her room was like a tornado ripped it up every night. She ruined her clothes. She wrecked the furniture........ I was at my whit's end...I was so tired of explaining.......Then exactly 6 months ago - Risperdal changed my daughter's life. Within a week we could see a change. She has done a complete turnaround in school. She also takes Adderall as a stimulant to calm the hyperactivity. With the help of special ed classes to help her "catch up" in all the areas that she missed while being overfocused, she is a different, and almost "normal" 10-11 year old. I swear she got all As & Bs this semester and all satisfactories in conduct. This is the first year in her life that we have truly been happy. I feel that if I hadn't found this book on the internet - that I would still be searching. I recommend this book as the one true source of ADHD. Much better than "driven to distraction". Thank you Dr. Amen!!! I swear on my daughter that this is the truth!!! ... Read more

Editorial Review

The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome is the definitive handbook for anyone affected by Asperger's syndrome (AS). It brings together a wealth of information on all aspects of the syndrome for children through to adults.

Drawing on case studies and personal accounts from Attwood's extensive clinical experience, and from his correspondence with individuals with AS, this book is both authoritative and extremely accessible. Chapters examine: causes and indications of the syndrome; the diagnosis and its effect on the individual; theory of mind; the perception of emotions in self and others; social interaction, including friendships; long-term relationships; teasing, bullying and mental health issues; the effect of AS on language and cognitive abilities, sensory sensitivity, movement and co-ordination skills; and career development.

There is also an invaluable frequently asked questions chapter and a section listing useful resources for anyone wishing to find further information on a particular aspect of AS, as well as literature and educational tools.

Essential reading for families and individuals affected by AS as well as teachers, professionals and employers coming in contact with people with AS, this book should be on the bookshelf of anyone who needs to know or is interested in this complex condition. ... Read more

Reviews

The Asperger's Bible - Truly a Godsend, January 31, 2007
Dr. Attwood is the leading expert on Asperger's Syndrome (AS) which is the spectrum partner to autism. This book is, at the time of this review his most current work. It is a shining gem and one of the standouts in autism/Asperger's (a/A) literature. If you are on the a/A continuum or know somebody who is, this book is your best friend. You will refer to it many times.

What makes this book all the more excellent and distinct is that Dr. Attwood discusses adults on the a/A spectrum as well. Autism in its myriad forms including AS does not clear up once a person hits adulthood. If you have it, it is with you for the long haul. Dr. Attwood's book and words of wisdom help lighten the load.

I have bought several copies of this book and have kept one for myself and gave the others to professionals in dire need of it. This book deserves a place of high honor and no parent; professional; person on the spectrum; anybody involved with a person/people on the spectrum should go without this book.

I was delighted to see a section devoted to intersensory marriage, that is of a neurotypical (NT) person to somebody on the a/A continuum. I would like to see more coverage of this much needed topic as AS presents a wide array of social challenges. Still, it is heartwarming; uplifting and encouraging to see more information devoted to intersensory marriages.

I agree with other reviewers who say Dr. Attwood is the best - I think we should propose a toast and raise our glasses to Dr. Attwood!

Just one book... make it this one., February 2, 2007
I have read lots of books on AS and reviewed many of them. What I am always warning is that in most cases any one book never gives a complete picture.

Tony Attwood's book though is about as complete a picture as you could get right now and is not only far superior to his first guide to the subject but to many others on the market.

If you read just one book on AS this should be it. It is easy to read, packed with information, and the author's respect and appreciation for people with Asperger's is evident on every page.

It's professional, it's factual, it's understanding, it's worth owning a copy.

A thoughtful, compassionate, accessible snapshot, February 13, 2007
This book is considerably different from Attwood's 1998 book, in that it's more addressed to the general public, and has much more material about adult Aspies. A great many scholarly papers and books have been distilled to make up a good portion of the material. There is a great deal of encouraging material about materials developed to help Aspies navigate society, such as the Social Stories and Comic Strip Conversations of Carol Gray, and the Interactive Guide to Emotions by Simon Baron-Cohen and his associates. Another stream of material is from the autobiographies of Aspies such as Liane Halliday Willie, Temple Grandin, Stephen Shore, Luke Jackson and Nita Jackson. It's great to have a human face on the phenomenon of AS.

There seems to be a running thread through the book that sensory sensitivity is a bigger deal for Aspies than previously considered. When I read the chapter on sensory sensitivity, I recalled autism books that suggested autism was a response to body chemistry equivalent to a non-stop drug trip. I grasped that the sensory sensitivity that Aspies feel is a milder version of what autistic people feel. I don't know if that's true, but that's what I grasped.

This book has a few chapters near the end dealing specifically with adult Aspies, chapters on career prospects and long-term relationships. This is a welcome addition.

This will be a good first book for some time to come for anyone with an Aspie in their life. It's not the last book, but it isn't really meant to be the last book. It's meant to be the State of the Aspie Union address for 2007. The message of the book is "We know more about AS than ever before. We know more about what works for Aspie kids than ever before. With a little help, Aspies can get along with society, leverage their talents and interests, and work around their weaknesses."

A singular source on understanding a different kind of mind, February 5, 2007
Tony Attwood's latest is once again a singular source on understanding the minds and hearts of those impacted by this different and fascinating way of being. Based upon current theory, research, clinical experience, and the first person life stories, this book is unequaled in the literature and accessible to many audiences. If your child just got a diagnosis of Asperger's, if anyone in your family has this condition, or if your professional life brings you into contact with children or adults with these unique skills and challenges, this book belongs on your shelf to be read and referred to over and over.

--Robert A. Naseef, Ph.D., psychologist, author of Special Children, Challenged Parents, and co-editor Voices from the Spectrum

Voices from the Spectrum: Parents, Grandparents, Siblings, People With Autism, And Professionals Share Their Wisdom

Special Children, Challenged Parents: The Struggles and Rewards of Raising a Child With a Disability

Living Along the Autism Spectrum: What Does It Mean to have Autism or Asperger Syndrome?

The best I have ever read, November 14, 2006
As a parent of a 9 year-old Asperger's child and a 7 year-old PDD-NOS child, I can say I have read a multitude of books and articles on Asperger's and autism. This book is by far the best, comprehensive book I have ever read regarding the subject.

It is easy to read, yet comprehensive, including strategies for parents and educators alike. I was particularly impressed with the chapter explaining "Theory of Mind". For those that don't understand the nature of Asperger's and High Functioning Autism, this chapter is very succinct in explaining how the brain of an Asperger's child or adult operates. I immediately copied this chapter (is that allowed??) for my son's new teacher and begged the principal to order a copy for the school!!

Thank you Tony Attwood for writing such a tremendous book that will certainly go a long way to shed light on Asperger's for educators and caretakers alike!!

Complete as of this date., January 21, 2008
When comparing this book to what others are available for learning about Asperger's Syndrome, this one is the best so far. As good as it is though, it must be kept in mind that it is far from perfection (i.e., being completed).

As with most books on the topic of AS, when it comes to discussions on "Theory of Mind," it's one sided. Yes, AS people can't "read" non-verbal messages neurotypical people send out like NTs do. However, what you will never read about is how NTs can't "read" non-verbal messages AS people send out.

Tony Attwood does bring up the tendency of AS people being more literal verbally, but he doesn't go into depth about why this is so. Without such explanations, it blinds typical people from seeing the more positive sides to AS. Logic goes hand-in-hand with literal; along with patterns, science, math, etc. If logic was used to explain the liberal use of figures in speech (like "hop on the scales" or "let's toast the bride," etc. found on page 115), then it would have to do so in a derogatory way because such things truly lack sense (logic). Words can be "playful," but when they are used in that manner, their true meaning is being raped away from their original purpose. It would be like insulting someone and then saying, "I was just joking." This is one of several reasons why AS children are most often the targets of bullies and are often referred to as being retarded when in reality they're usually a lot smarter than their attackers.

Another example on the next page (116), when Mr. Atwood writes, "Children with impaired ToM abilities may not know how to answer that question," he makes it sound like AS children are inferior. This particular issue on not knowing how to answer questions also creates problems with the way tests and exams are written neurotypcially. Typical children do not "read" into things deeply. They don't examine, analyze, investigate, and/or probe as far as the AS developed brain does. If the people who write the questions for exams were more thorough, they would realize how many questions are loaded with "it depends." Why don't AS books point out how the creative/inventive mind works? Without these details, people are not going to think of all the benefits that are hidden within the seemingly negative AS traits.

Apart from my being so habitually nitpicking (meticulous attention to detail as the the AS culture would call it), overall, I do highly recommend this book.

A 'must' for any serious health reference collection., July 7, 2007
Usually books on Asperger's Syndrome address the diagnosis and options for children: The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome broadens the field, using case studies and personal accounts from the author's own clinical experience to cover both adults and children, and all symptoms of the syndrome. From causes and diagnosis to differences in social interactions, perception, and mental health issues, The Complete Guide goes far beyond the usual Asperger's approach and is a 'must' for any serious health reference collection.

Great book if you want to understand the problem, February 13, 2008
This was my first book on Aspergers - it was a great read. I understand the Syndrome more now. I with it had more on the Syndrome in toddlers - it seems that research is lacking on Aspergers in toddlers. However, it was a great book and I recommend it to anyone going through Aspergers themselves or with their children.

Aspergers guide, August 6, 2007
My son was diagnosed with a mild case of Aspergers. His therapist suggested this book. I am so glad I listened to him! This book is easy to understand and has helped us to understand our son and help him better. This book is a must for any family member(grandparents included). I am actually using it like a study book. I am highlighting parts that I find most applies to our son.

Attwood's updated Guide to Asperger's, May 13, 2007
Attwood has improved on his earlier excellent book on Asperger's. I have a 31 year old son that had not been accurately diagnosed until this year. He has had difficulty his entire life and, with this book, we have finally been able to understand him so much better and to begin to guide him towards a productive life.
With his insite, Attwood brings clarity & hope to these wonderful, yet often misunderstood folks and their families. ... Read more

Editorial Review

The revised and updated edition of a groundbreaking special-needs activity guide

This revised edition of the companion volume to The Out-of-Sync Child includes new activities that parents of kids with Sensory Processing Disorder can do at home with their child, along with updated information on which activities are most appropriate for children with coexisting conditions such as Asperger's, autism, and more. ... Read more

Reviews

Very practical solutions, March 31, 2007
I have two children with autism and bookcases full of theory on what works best for them. None are as practical and hands on as this book. These are great ideas that don't reguire tons of extra planning and effort. They are fun and they really work. They are also great for ideas for autistic and neurotypical kids to praticipate in together. Most of these ideas would be fun for all kids not just children with sensory processing difficulties.

Great Resource, May 11, 2007
We got this book right after our son was diagnosed with autism. It is the kind of book that you can constantly refer back to as your child progresses and learns new skills. Our child has really enjoyed participating in the activities. Also, the activities are interesting enough that our other son, who does not have autism, enjoys participating as well. This allows for some great peer interaction. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is dealing with a child with sensory integration issues. It is just great!

Just what we needed!!!, March 21, 2007
Having a son that has just been diagnosed with autism and feeling helpless, this book is just what we needed. This book helped me play wiith my son in ways that were so helpful to him. The book gave me ideas that made my own creative juices flow and I found myself wanting to make toys instead of purchasing them. And we all know that toys can get very expensive. I think it's a must for parents of autistic children.

Great Resource for Parents and Teachers, May 29, 2007
The Out-of-Sync Child Has Fun is a great resource for parents and teachers. As a teacher of special needs kids, I'm always looking for materials to share with parents, and this one is really meeting the need. Ms. Kranowitz knows her topic. Her ideas for simple, fun activities that teach are easy to follow. This is a book I will use over and over again.

Back To Basics, January 9, 2007
I think that with technology as it is, we sometimes forget how beneficial basic play can be and how greatly it aides in our child's development.
This is such a great book and is so well organized. Every parent and gradparent/childcare giver of children should have this book, Sensory issues or not!

Very Helpful, July 26, 2008
Contains many practical and easy activities that are fun for any child, not just "out of sync." Tried several already and found my grandson loved the originality and the use of everyday objects as situations for play.

Therapy that doesn't feel like therapy, March 29, 2009
Being the adoptive mother of a wonderful little girl with Special Needs, I am ALWAYS looking for new and fun ways to add to her therapy that doesn't feel like therapy. Having found the "Out of Sync Child" book a tremendouse help in our day to day lives, I was hopeful this book would prove beneficial to our play time. And it is. My daughter suffers from Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, a condition that is the result of her being prenatally exposed to alcohol by her birth mother. Her challenges are many, including; Severe Sensory Processing Disorder, OCD, ADHD, Short Term Memory Loss, Cognitive Delays, Emotional Delays, Behavorial issues, just to name a few. Many of these challenges seem to accompany MOST of the brain disorders. So I think this book would be a great addition to the library of any caregiver, teacher, therapist, anyone, that faces these challenges with their child / client.

A must have for parents of children w/autism, June 20, 2008
I've had this book for a couple of years and I love it. I've purchased at least twenty books on autism and this is one of the two I have kept. The ideas are practical, involve materials you can buy inexpensively (or you probably already have around the house) and it's fun for ALL kids. My nt daughter enjoys these activities just as much as my ASD son!

Easy and fun activities, October 4, 2007
While this book is especially helpful for families with children with sensory processing disorder (SPD), all children will enjoy these creative ideas. The summary of different types of SPD at the beginning is useful to show other family members and friends who want to understand your child better.

A great collection of ideas!, July 14, 2010
I purchased this book when our oldest was first diagnosed with having some sensory processing difficulties. The book contains a wealth of ideas for sensory challenged children and each of the activities is sectioned within a chapter pertaining to a particular sense, like vestibular activities, tactile activites, auditory, etc., so that you can customize your play regime specifically to the needs of your child (or just try a little of them all, they are great fun!) This book outways any fancy toy or jungle gym by far. The games are easy and inexpensive to play, most using items you probably already have around the house and many contain variations to spice up your routine. Some you may recognize as things you did yourself as a child and you may find it fascinating to read how these particular activities helps our sensory growth. These activities are great fun for unchallenged children as well (our younger child had a blast doing them with our older one), making great boredom busters for rainy days or out of school summers. The age range is listed with each activity, most of them around 3-teen, making it easy for parents to pick and choose as well as quick summaries on what skills the activity builds. For parents of children with and without SPD, this is a great resource book for play activities that invite creativity, learning, and fun to your home. I would highly recommend this book to any parent of small children. ... Read more

Editorial Review

For children with sensory difficulties-those who struggle to process everyday sensations and exhibit unusual behaviors such as avoiding or seeking out touch, movement, sounds, and sights-this groundbreaking book is an invaluable resource. Sensory integration dysfunction, also known as sensory processing disorder, affects all kinds of children-from those with developmental delays, attention problems, or autism spectrum disorders, to those without any other issues. Coauthored by a pediatric occupational therapist and a parent of a child with sensory issues, this updated and expanded edition of Raising a Sensory Smart Child is comprehensive and more helpful than ever.

Learn:

* How the senses actually work and integrate with each other
* How and where to get the very best professional help
* "Sensory diet" activities that meet your child's needs--including new tips and ideas for kids, teens, adults, and families
* Practical solutions for daily challenges-from brushing teeth to getting dressed to picky eating to family gatherings
* Using "sensory smarts" to help children with developmental delays, learning, and attention problems
* The special challenges of helping children with autism and sensory issues
* Ways to advocate for your child at school and make schools "sensory smart"
* How to empower your child and teen in the world
* Complementary therapies, resources, and helpful web sites

In all, the most comprehensive guide to sensory processing challenges is now more detailed and useful than ever. Loved and celebrated by parents, teachers, therapists, doctors and others, the new edition of Raising a Sensory Smart Child is a must-have volume for anyone who cares about a child with sensory issues.

***WINNER of the NAPPA GOLD AWARD and iPARENTING MEDIA AWARD*** ... Read more

Editorial Review

Winner of Learning Magazine's Teachers Choice Award, the first edition of 1001 Great Ideas has been a treasured resource in the autism community since 2004. Now, in this expanded edition, Ellen Notbohm (best-selling author of the revolutionary book Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew) and Veronica Zysk (award-winning author and editor of Autism Asperger's Digest magazine) present parents and educators with over 1800 ideas try-it-now tips, eye-opening advice, and grassroots strategies. More than 600 fresh ideas join tried and true tactics from the original edition, while many ideas pick up where the first edition left off, offering modifications for older kids, honing in on Asperger's challenges, and enhancing already-effective ways to help your child or student achieve success at home, in school, and in the community.


Time is money ... and this book saves you both.

• Your one-stop-shop of solutions, explanations, and strategies. Quickly find ideas that speak to the variety of developmental levels, learning styles, and abilities inherent in children with autism and Asperger's.
  
• Autism publications can be pricey, and many times readers only come away with a few key points per resource. Ellen and Veronica have saved you thousands of hours and dollars, blending knowledge from the most credible experts with their own invaluable wealth of humor, common sense, and experience.
  

Reviews

Must Have, August 25, 2006
I have shelves filled with books with 'how to' and I have tried them all. My son, Brian now 14, has severe mental retardation, there are very few books for 'teaching' children like him. I took a chance on this one, and worth it. Thanx to the notes in the book I no longer try and stop him from bitting his hands, but understadning why, all of us at home started to take notes of when and what happened before and now we focus on the what happens before. This is just one excellent example.

We had a good summer and he has made great progress because of the book. We did projects with him, set real targets and monitored. My 9 year old daughter who is a part of the team helping her 14 year old sibblings, got ideas of things she could do with him and learnt much about not doing 'for him'.

The instructions for action, and this is what the book spurs you to do 'act' are clear and logically. So many times we go on to another 'intervention' and when we read the explanation that leads to the action I hear myself thinking, but you know what that is logical. It may say 'Autism Spectrum', but it is forall of us who has a child/young adult with moderate to severe intellectural disability.

I am purchasing two extra copies of the book. One to send to school when he starts in another two weeks, the other to my sister who we plan to visit in December. I also chair the National Advisory Board for Persons with Disability here in Jamaica and I am going to recommending this book to all who will listen.

A must have for all parents to learn and share with educators, April 26, 2006
I can not tell you how very much this book has helped myself and my 2 children with autism as well as the educators that I entrust with my children. There is something for everyone in this book. There are so many simple answers to big questions, I literally wanted to say "Oh, why didn't I think of that?" The education and guidance that these authors offer us, as parents, is priceless. There are so many books out there. My library of books regarding "our" spectrum grows daily. However, this one book has done more for our "team," we, as parents, and my children's teachers than any other book I can name. I will add, for our children's point of view, I very strongly suggest all books by Temple Grandin. My hope is that any parent/caregiver, anyone who loves a person with an Autism Spectrum Disorder will read this book and contact me, to expand all of our networks of support and love for these incredible people who happen to have ASD's and whom we are blessed to share our lives with. Please feel free to contact me at kristenc@wcoil.com.
Thank you to the authors, the publisher and to all who support this fabulous reference. Thank you.

You need this one, June 27, 2006
This book filters through all the technical terms and gives you quick, much needed information for those daily challenges that you definitely will encounter. It deals with so many of the major issues (social, sensory, behavioral, and self-care). It is a must read for anyone that knows or works with an individual on the spectrum.

A Must Have For Every Parent of A Child With Autism, May 17, 2006
I have never written an online review in my life. However, as the parent of an autistic child, I felt I had to do this for the benefit of other parents out there that are not sure about buying this book.

The bottom line is that you should buy it! All sorts of information and ideas are presented in this ONE book. I've done research on my own and have had to put the pieces together. It was great to see all of my pieces in this book plus so much more. I wish I would have found this book years ago! It would have saved me much time and effort.

The other pluses to this book are that it is easy to read and you can easily skip around as needed if you don't have the time to read it cover to cover (which you will find yourself doing because it is written so well). Now, let me be clear. This book by no means covers all ideas in detail after detail in chapter after chapter. Think about this book as Cliff's Notes and as a great way to start thinking out of the box.

Useful ideas for coing with ASDs, November 22, 2006
As a teacher of children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) and Sensory Integration Dysfunction (DSI), I have read nearly ever book written on the subject. Most focus on recognizing, and getting a diagnosis and treatment for, ASDs, or games/activities. This book stands out as one of few that address COPING. It is full of small techniques and tricks to help your child/student cope with the world around them. Some are everyday routine suggestions; others are situational tricks that actually help (I've test-run many). Even if you think you know pretty much everything, there are enough fresh ideas in this book to make it worth the read. I highly recommend it to anyone who works with these special kids.

Almost as easy as 1-2-3, June 16, 2006
While Autism can be mystifying, this book is a real time-saver in unraveling so many of its misconceptions. It gives you solution options, offering hope to those working with children with ASD and the social, sensory, behavioral, and self-care issues they have. This book offers non technical, practical, indispensable advice. An absolute must for educators.

I'm Not Convinced, February 13, 2007
As a father of a child with ASD and a special education teacher who deals with ASD kids every day in some ways I am in a unique position to judge the merits of programmes and strategies that come up. I welcome this book that it gives strategies for various situations one is likely to encounter and this is appreciated after attending lots of broad sweeping seminars etc. Unfortunately the book itself seems to suffer from sensory overload , it flow is jumbled and there is little structure to the book. The chapters are ad hoc and so are the strategies. The book is not written by educational professionals so practising teachers will see that many of the experiences are part of the general curriculum.
One of the keys factors that I have found both at at school and home is the environment that ASD kids thrive in , which is structured routine environments that have been carefully planned to eliminate sensory overload. This is not really adequately addessed in the book. When I believe it should be the cornerstone of intervetion and then other strategies and experiences flow from that position.
Too many time have I seen ASD kids meltdown because conditions at home or in the classroom are disorganised , chaotic and random.
Having said all this there are some real gems in this book which makes it well worth the purchase price and giving it a good thorough reading several times.
Personally I would like to see a better book with clear steps and layout written by parents , teachers , kids and others.

Loving unconditionally, June 16, 2006
My friend is a joy to be around most of the time. However, I must admit that there are those moments that I just don't understand why he does certain things. I cringe when he speaks out of turn or what I think may be strange or inappropriate. I've often thought "if only he would/wouldn't do certain things, he wouldn't have such a problem socially. I hurt for him. Through the reading of this book and others, including, "Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew", I have learned to show him always that I love him unconditionally. He will develop on his timeline and feel more self confidence in being who he is. He too has gifts and abilities just waiting to be discovered. Great Book!

Excellent for anyone interested in learning more about autism, June 16, 2006
Wow! I can't say enough about the invaluable information that I gained from this book. I have read many books on different aspects of autism, but this one tops them all. It helps you to be able to get into the mind of one with autism and understand more fully how they process information. The book gives insight on sensory integration a means to communication. I cannot imagine having great needs and not being able to make them known. How frustrating that would be. We are reminded to patiently and wisely move on to Plan B when Plan A is not working.

Awsome!, June 21, 2006
Terrific ideas! Very creative suggestions on embracing it's presence in our lives and how to successfully work with these individuals. Great guidelines to understanding the limits of their world such as: sensory issues, overload, communication, limited interests, and interaction with others. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Meet a remarkable young man.Max doesn't communicate like we do. But he communicates better than we do about the most important things. Max doesn't think like we do. But his actions reflect deep spiritual truths.With candor and wit, Emily Colson shares about her personal battles and heartbreak when, as a suddenly single mother, she discovers her only child has autism. Emily illuminates the page with imagery---making you laugh, making you cry, inspiring you to face your own challenges.Chuck Colson, in his most personal writing since Born Again, speaks as a father and grandfather.It is a tender side Max brings out of his grandfather, a side some haven't seen. As Emily recalls her experiences, we discover that Max's disability does not so much define who he is, but reveals who we are. Dancing with Max is not a fairy tale with a magical ending. It's a real life story of grace and second chances and fresh starts in spite of life's hardest problems.And Max? Max will make you fall in love with life all over again, leaving you dancing with joy. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Reviews

The Go-To resource for adults with ADHD/ADD, and their therapists, too!, July 2, 2009
The book is superb! It's clear, comprehensive and to-the-point, reflecting the years Dr. Tuckman has spent facilitating CHADD support groups for adults with ADHD. I agree with the previous reviewer - it's a true gift to all of us interested in and affected by ADHD. Plus, he's put great information free for the downloading on the book's site, [...], including a series of podcasts summarizing key points. I routinely recommend the podcasts to my patients with ADHD - it's easy to start off by listening to something short, and great for people who don't like to read or are auditory-preference processors.

With a 'just-right' balance of neuroscience and wisdom-of-experience, compassion and accountability, "More Attention, Less Distraction" outlines how ADHD can be understood, managed, and not be so crazy-making. The advice and strategies are practical and readily applicable. Buy this one first.

Get this book -- now!, June 27, 2009
I just can't say enough good about this book. It has a wealth of fantastic information for the individual with adult ADHD. At the start of each chapter, there's a summary of the different sections of that chapter. How much more ADHD friendly can you get?

It's very, very clearly written.

Dr. Tuckman's afterward brought tears to my eyes. He talks about all the pain that adult ADHD sufferers (especially those born before the mid 70s) often experience, and how they're often judged -- labeled as lazy, unmotivated, etc. His compassion shows throughout the entire book.

And his counsel and information are solid, not speculative.

This would also be a fantastic gift to give to family members, friends, etc. of someone with adult ADHD. It's highly educational and very clear. Anybody reading it will learn so much.

Thank you, Dr. Tuckman, for this great gift!

Exceptional Book on ADHD!, May 21, 2009
More Attention, Less Deficit is the new "Bible" of ADHD. Dr. Tuckman brilliantly maps out strategies and tips while peppering it with facts in a way that makes it interesting and easy for the adult with ADHD to devour in bite-sized pieces. A must-read for all who are touched by ADHD.

Looking for your first book to purchase on ADHD?? This is the ONE!, August 9, 2009
If you're looking for your first book to purchase on Adult AD/HD, this is the one! If you're looking for a "must have" to add to your current collection, again- this is the one!

Dr. Tuckman deserves 5 gold stars for developing an insightful book of practical tools and strategies for adults who are challenged with troublesome symptoms of AD/HD. This is a "how to" book.... finally a book of various solutions! The book DOES NOT need to be read from front to back (although, you may not be able to resist doing so), but you can instead look up your particular issue/ challenge and be directed to short and practical tips and strategies.

This is a perfect book for adults with AD/HD to skim through and share certain portions that are applicable to their own "version" of ADD/ADHD with their non-ADHD partners, friends and family. I've recommended it to several couples, and they have come back reporting that the book is excellent and that it provides a vehicle to increased useful discussion and improved understanding of the challenges involved with the disorder.

Dr. Tuckman has provided his expertise in a fashion that is both respectful and incredibly compassionate. If you have AD/HD, after reading the portions of the book that pertain to you- you will feel understood. If you do not have AD/HD, the book will help you to better understand those who do.

Thank you for your contribution, Dr. Tuckman.

Deb Rowley, MSW
Madison, WI
[...]

The best and dare I say the only book you will need to buy on adult ADHD., May 27, 2010
I have read a whole heap of books on ADHD since being diagnosed and none of them have ever given me what I wanted. They tend to focus on case studies of suffers, lack information for adults with ADHD, have too much information on what to do if you think you might have ADHD, be outdated, focus on pseudo-science/'natural remedies', contain loads of fluffy talk such as 'ADHD is really a gift' and they quite often lack any real helpful information on what you can do to begin to address the issues that you're faced with as an adult with ADHD. More Attention, Less Deficit is very different.

Dr Tuckman's book is split up into 4 sections: 'Understanding ADHD in adults', 'Start with effective treatment', 'Build the necessary skills' and 'Improve specific areas of your life'. The book is wonderfully accessible and it's designed to be read however you like - you can read it right through or just dip into it when you want to read about a particular topic. Personally I read it right through, but I still find myself dipping into it all the time as I try to put new skills into action or try and remind myself where I went wrong.

If you want a concise, up to date, accessible and authoritative book explaining what adult ADHD is, how to live with it and that is packed with scientifically sound information (rather than dodgy new age weirdness)then look no further. If you're like me and struggle with reading anyway don't waste any time or money on any other book. Once you have read and adsorb this one any further information you could possibly want is on the web.

More Attention, Less Deficit, September 11, 2009
As a practicing therapist for years I have had relatively little knowledge of or interest in ADHD in adults. I recently began a new job in which I am seeing many more adults with ADHD, most of them in crisis. In an attempt to learn more about this disorder I found Ari Tuckman's book which is highly readable and provides clear guidelines for the diagnosis, as well as many suggestions which are helpful to me in working with ADHD clients. I have come to appreciate how difficult ADHD makes life for those who suffer with it. Dr. Tuckman's book is written with compassion and a tremendous amount of research.

Add this to your ADHD reference shelf if you deal with adult ADHD, September 4, 2009
Up today: a (relatively) new book about Adult ADHD, called More Attention, Less Deficit, by Ari Tuckman PhD.

This is actually one of the newer books I would recommend as an addition to your references on ADHD if you or your partner has ADHD. Specifically, I would treat it as a reference book. It is chock full of suggestions and strategies to work with ADHD issues as well as clear explanations.

It is not the kind of book that I, for one, would read from start to finish. It isn't the kind of book you read to understand your emotional and deep experience of ADHD the way some of the classics Adult ADHD are. That also means for me, that I don't get swept up in reading it for hours. And I don't want you to purchase it and then get mad at yourself for not reading like a non-ADHDer like that!

Instead, it's a book I like to pick up and check out the information on various topics and questions related to ADHD. I think it would be good for a partner or family member to help understand various aspects of ADHD, as well as for the adult with ADHD themselves- and I say various meaning MANY because it covers a lot from diagnosis to symptoms to social issues to life issues to medications to all kinds of other management strategies. It is organized and indexed well and clearly to make it easy to use for this. In fact, few of the other books around, while they do touch on the sort of gestalt experience of adult ADHD, serve as this kind of useful reference that could be super helpful to add to your bookshelf!

Finally, a well-organized and very practical resource for adults with ADHD!, August 8, 2009
Dr. Tuckman has done it again! His latest book is a welcome contribution to the books on adult ADHD. It covers everything you need to know regarding diagnosis, treatment, and life strategies. His down-to-earth, conversational style tells you what you need to do quickly and accurately. The table-of-contents allows you to go to the sections you are most interested in. Section subtitles make it clear what the focus of each section is, making it easier to browse through the book. The sections on coaching, medication, careers, and relationships will make it easier for adults with ADHD, and those who love them, to understand and cope with various aspects of the disorder. I also like the positive title and subtitle, as this book provides numerous "success strategies" for adult. This book is a "must have" for any adult with ADHD. I have been recommending it to all of my patients.

--James J. Crist, Ph.D.
Author of ADHD--A Teenager's Guide

Good guide to ADHD, March 28, 2010
I have ADHD and have been reading about the condition for several years. This book is one of the most comprehensive books on the Physiology of the condition and different treatment options. I am still reading the practical exercises but overall this is one of the better books I have read on the topic. Especially for different treatment options and a good explanation of the condition and the impacts on other people.

Top recommendation, July 31, 2010
I have read numerous books on adult ADHD (I am a late diagnosis adult), and this is by far the best book I have ever read on the subject. If you were to read only one book, read this one (although I would recommend reading more for a broad perspective). Other reviews submitted here provide good specifics; I am writing this to add another 5 star recommendation. The book is a must read about adult ADHD, and a book I would highly recommend about ADHD as it pertains to any age group. ... Read more

Editorial Review

FOR EVERYONE WHO STRUGGLES TO READ!
Clear, practical, science-based information and advice for successful results

One in five American children has trouble reading. But they are not stupid or lazy. In Overcoming Dyslexia, Dr. Sally Shaywitz, codirector of the Yale Center for the Study of Learning and Attention and a leader in the new research into how the brain works, offers the latest information about reading problems and proven, practical techniques that, along with hard work and the right help, can enable anyone to overcome them. Here are the tools that parents and teachers need to help the dyslexic child, age by age, grade by grade, step by step.

--What dyslexia is and why some intelligent, gifted people read slowly and painfully
--How to identify dyslexia in preschoolers, schoolchildren, young adults, and adults
--How to find the best school and how to work productively with your child’s teacher
--Exercises to help children use the parts of the brain that control reading
--A 20-minute nightly home program to enhance reading
--The 150 most common problem words–a list that can give your child a head start
--Ways to raise and preserve a child’s self-esteem aqnd reveal his strengths
--Stories of successful men and women who are dyslexic ... Read more

Editorial Review

A groundbreaking book explains what really causes AttentionDeficit Disorder.

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) has quicklybecome a controversial topic in recent years. Whereas other books onthe subject describe the condition as inherited, Dr. Gabor Matebelieves that our social and emotional environments play a key role inboth the cause of and cure for this condition. In Scattered, hedescribes the painful realities of ADD and its effect on children aswell as on career and social paths in adults. While acknowledging thatgenetics may indeed play a part in predisposing a person toward ADD,Dr. Mate moves beyond that to focus on the things we can control:changes in environment, family dynamics, and parenting choices. Hedraws heavily on his own experience with the disorder, as both an ADDsufferer and the parent of three diagnosed children. Providing athorough overview of ADD and its treatments, Scattered isessential and life-changing reading for the millions of ADD sufferersin North America today. ... Read more

Reviews

Merlin:"The best thing for being sad is to learn something.", February 11, 2002
Having been in therapy longer than Woody Allen, I practice what Karl Menninger called `bibliotherapy'-i.e., reading widely and deeply in the field of mental or emotional disorders. Since I'm a voracious reader, and since I've been doing this for twenty years, I sometimes feel there isn't much left for a layman to learn, or at least nothing much that could be called new. But Dr. Mate's book is wonderfully helpful on two fronts: first, it is a "why-you-or-your -child-are-like-this" book, and second, it is a "and-here-is-what-you-can-do-to-allieviate-the-condition"book. Not cure it, mind you, just make the cards you drew a little easier to play.

On the first front, the neurobiology of ADD, Dr. Mate makes his point conclusively: this disorder arises first in the infant, in how he or she is wired-or not-and it occurs in the make-up of the hypersensitive baby, highly aware and from the very beginning suffering at the smallest slings and arrows life offers. Resilient children roll with the punches; ADD kids are flattened by them and get back up more slowly. Momma used to call this type "high-strung" and, boy, was she ever right. Dr. Mate even points out a study done on the vagus nerve of five-month old babies that turns out to be highly predictive of which of them will later, at fourteen months, prove to be "more reactive to maternal separation." In other words, ADD could as well serve as an acronym for Attachment Deficit Disorder. People who are hypersensitive have a disordered attachment to their caretakers that is pre-verbal and pervasive. One had better learn to deal with the fact that the fault is mainly synpatical, not social. My family doctor told me that my then-nine-year-old son suffered from severe separation anxiety because he hadn't been in pre-school or away from his parents enough. Fortunately, a more knowledgeable child psychiatrist said it was inborn so we could relax and quit blaming ourselves. Whew....

That doesn't mean that experiencing this hypersensitivity isn't damaging, even with a more-than-good-enough mother. Or that nurturing a hypersensitive child is easy. It is much more tiring and trying to deal with the ADD child than it is with his or her more resilient sibling.The ADD child triggers anxiety in even the most competent parent. So, it is on the second front, the practical things to do, that this book is most helpful, even hopeful. I return to it again and again (that is, when I haven't mislaid it in one of my more driven ADD moments) to remind myself what to do and what not to do to help myself and my similarly-wired son. For instance, the section on the counter-will-an idea I'd not heard before-made me understand why I am more often than not so suspicious of authority figures. I used to think it was very adolescent of me, and now Dr. Mate tells me it is, and that this is a component of ADD. It was from this notion of a counter-will that I began my search on ways to strengthen the will itself, so as to disengage this adversarial part of me, the counter-will, that aspect of us that doesn't trust. It has been an interesting and fruitful search and I am grateful to Dr. Mate for giving me new ways to think about this way of being in the world.

By the time the ADD child arrives at school, the disconnectedness is ingrained. We are attuned to every slight, intended or not. Other kids find ADDers just as trying as the grown-ups do-it takes a lot of energy to interact with a `wild child' who hogs the teacher's attention or a distracted one whose hypersensitivity presents the perfect opportunity to torture for fun and profit. I've yet to find an ADD adult who liked the social aspects of school, or didn't have horror stories about cruel peers and teachers...

The most important chapters for me have been the ones on medication and on self-parenting. The first, medication, gives the limits of pharmocological help for this disorder. It is very clear about what medicine can and cannot do and the importance of finding a knowledgeable physician. The second, self-parenting, seems like a Mobius strip until Dr. Mate takes apart the results of life-time conditioning and explains the qualities one needs-compassion for self and others, curiosity rather than blame or judgment-in order to embark on a course of change. Whether one has to structure things by herself, or has the good fortune to find competent professional help, Dr. Mate's book is of inestimable help on that journey.

In fact, every time my ADD tendencies pop up and I lose my copy of Scattered, I buy another. And now that my stepson has been diagnosed with ADD, I have an extra copy or two to give his suffering parents, though I would not be without this book.

Scattered is definitely a keeper.

Is Scattered half-full, or half-empty?, April 28, 2001
I must say that my opinion regarding Dr. Mate's "Scattered" is... well... "Scattered!" On the one hand, it contains some of the most eloquently poetic descriptions of A.D.D. I've ever seen (some of which come directly from Dr. Mate's patients). One need look no further than the chapter headings to see how beautifully the ambiguity of poetry describes the A.D.D.experience- headings like "So Much Soup and Garbage Can," "Forgetting to Remember the Future," "A Surrealistic Choreography," "Severed Thoughts and Flibbertigibbets," and "My Marshmallow Caught Fire." In fact, on page 43, Dr. Mate offers one of the most poignant metaphors for A.D.D. I've read, in his description of the trees on the shores of Vancouver Island. Passages like this one make "Scattered" a worthwhile book to own, and I've recommended it highly to several people on that basis alone. But while "Scattered" delivers in grand style on the promise of the first part of its title (i.e. "How A.D.D. Originates"), it fails to deliver consistently on the promise of its second (i.e. "What You Can Do About It"). This unrealized expectation is established by the last sentence of the very same page referenced above (p.43), which reads: "Fortunately, as we will see when we come to the chapters on the healing process in ADD, neurological and psychological maturation can take place at any time during the life cycle, even in late adulthood." As well-established as the author's intentions are for the remainder of the book, what unfortunately follows is heavily and disproportionately weighted more towards offering specific advice to parents of A.D.D. children than towards offering practical solutions for the A.D.D. adult. In my opinion, Dr. Mate's message would have been far better-served by either: 1. Presenting the material in a more cohesive and balanced fashion or, 2. Presenting the material through two different books, each geared towards a separate audience.

It's not that the information itself is uninteresting or irrelevant, but that Dr. Mate so radically changes the focus of the discussion from addressing the needs of adults in general (Chapters 1 - 15) to exclusively addressing the needs of parents of A.D.D. children in particular (Chapters 16 - 24). The experience is not unlike someone at a party (who happens to have kids) speaking to you directly and then suddenly, without warning, turning their complete attention towards starting up a fresh conversation with someone else about mutual issues involving their children. This of course leaves you standing alone with a drink in your hand, anxiously waiting for the tray of finger sandwiches to make another round, while you wait for your former conversation partner to return and resume the discussion with you.

When the author does finally broaden his scope to once again include a general adult audience (Chapter 25), he does so not by fulfilling the promise of "What You Can Do About It" for the A.D.D. adult (as he had in the previous section for parents), but by returning yet again to descriptions regarding the origins and nature of A.D.D., thus moving the focus back onto the first portion of the title. In fact, the "What You Can Do About it" section for Adult A.D.D. that eventually appears is limited to a mere 23 pages (in a book containing a total of 323)! I find particularly significant that while part V is entitled "The ADD Child and Healing," (indicating practical solutions for parents to healing the A.D.D. child), part VI is simply entitled "The ADD Adult."

Adding to the level of frustration, these long-anticipated (though brief) 23 pages of practical solutions for the A.D.D. adult are joltingly interrupted by a very short chapter describing the relationship between the A.D.D. brain and addictions, once again describing the origins of the condition rather than offering solutions to it. Again, it is not the information itself (which is all certainly valuable), but the sometimes exclusionary way in which the information is presented, that I find to be most frustrating.

If you are looking for poignant and poetic descriptions of the A.D.D. experience, then I highly recommend "Scattered." However, if you want a more balanced presentation of a variety of theories regarding the origins of A.D.D., as well as practical solutions geared towards the A.D.D. adult in particular, then I recommend "Out of the Fog," by Kevin Murphy and Suzanne Levert as a better choice.

Dr. Mate is an extremely articulate writer, and his book is a worthy addition to any library of A.D.D. material. But from the standpoint of practical solutions, "Scattered" loses focus mid-way through, in that it attempts to address the needs of far-too-wide of an audience, thereby not only diluting the impact of its message, but also excluding a significant portion of readers in the process.

Applauding Gabor Mate, May 29, 2000
I applaud Gabor Mate for the remarkable contribution he has made to the literature on Attention Deficit Disorder in his book Scattered. Due to both personal and professional interest, I have read and recommended many books and articles on this topic. I find that Scattered has become the first book I recommend to colleagues, clients and anyone interested in learning about, or ruling out ADD. Feedback is consistent with my own reaction--this is a comprehensive and insightful book--an easy, informative, valuable, read for professional and lay people. The role of biology/nature is described so well that the non-scientific reader gains a new level of understanding. When it comes to the role of nurture/environment--Mate truly shines-- capturing the experience of ADD with an insiders wisdom and a refreshing openess, bringing the reader understanding, comfort, hope and pathways to healing. The material on parenting (ADD and the child) is excellent---could be part of a parenting handbook. His writing on change and growth and his understanding of what causes adults to struggle have value across the board --whatever the issues are. One does not have to have, or work with ADD to enjoy and benefit from Scattered.

Maybe the most original book about ADD & most ignored, October 26, 2004
Mate offers a very fresh, insightful interpretation of ADD as a cognitive vulnerability that may or may not manifest itself, or manifest itself in varying degrees depending on one's environment. In this sense, the book takes a ecological approach to the problem; ADD, according to the author, is not biological determinism and it's not cultural construct and it's not some conspiracy to keep certain children in their place and it's not a pharmaceutical ploy for more business. Anyone who has taken prescribed Ritalin knows it's about the cheapest prescription drug on the market (and has been around nearly the longest). The author simply points out that according to current and provisional informed research (and research can only be provisional unless we can stop time), the idea that symptoms of ADD are a result of many forces--chemical, environmental, cultural, and developmental--just makes sense. Since Mate's analysis is moderately complex in comparison to most analyses in most popular ADD books, it may turn off those who want a quick pat explanation to the "disorder." The author is a doctor with ADD; so his analysis is both research oriented and phenomenological. He is also smart enough not to use the word "prove" in his book because he knows he isn't proving anything: he is simply making his own best inferences based on current knowledge. He makes sense; and he adds to the current literature on the subject. If you have been diagnosed with ADD, you will nod your head in agreement through much of the book. The author also has a gift for writing, having been a former English teacher. Thus, his language is on a level of sophistication which does justice to the subject, and lends his observations authority. This is far different from the "cookbook" breezy style of so many other authors who address the subject.

An insightful, humane perspective, May 27, 2000
The ADHD world seems to have split into several definable camps -- the neo-Darwinist doomsayers like Barkley who say flat-out that ADD is "of no value whatsoever" and is purely a sickness; the deniers like Breggin and Rush Limbaugh who think it's a conspiracy by doctors or liberals; the geneticists like Comings who suggest ADDers shouldn't breed to keep from contaminating our gene-pool; and those like Lucy Jo Pallidino who consider it a "context disorder," a collection of traits that may be useful in some times and places but is generally not a good match for the way our schools are currently set up (I consider myself in this category).

Now comes Gabor Mate, an insightful, no-nonsense, and thoroughly compassionate physician who provides an overview of all these perspectives and comes to the marvelously humane conclusion that ADD/ADHD is neither nature (genetics) nor nurture (parenting/environment) but, rather, the result of the collision of a predisposing nature with an ADD-hostile life situation, family, school, or job. How refreshing!

Gabor Mate has made a valuable contribution to the ADD/ADHD world, and this book not only offers thoughts on what it is and where it came from, but also is chock full of useful, real-world solutions for the problems people with ADD confront in a world increasingly run by bureaucrats and farmers.

Highly recommended!

--Thom Hartmann

An excellent, well researched book . Highly recommended., September 15, 1999
Dr. Mate, who has ADD himself and who is the father of three children with ADD, provides information about brain development and theorizes that ADD results from problems in bonding that effect brain development. He discusses addiction as related to ADD and the lack of bonding. He provides a method of treatment that addresses the underlying dynamic rather than dealing more superficially. As someone with ADD myself, experience in working with autistic and learning disabled children, and a strong interest in curative emotional relationships, I have found this book incredibly insightful and useful. It is strongly recommended to professionals as well as clients and families. It is written with respect and compassion and refrains from blaming parents for their children's difficulties.

Mesmerizing and insightful, January 16, 2006
Five years ago, I picked up this book and, mesmerized, read it in one sitting. With content so rich and insightful, I felt perhaps I should stop and absorb each chapter before continuing. Yet Mate's elegant writing was too captivating and flowing to put down.

Today, it is the book in my extensive ADHD library that I turn to when I need reminding of some core concepts, such as "counterwill," Mate's term for oppositional defiance. So many other books about ADHD float on the surface or focus on medical treatment options. While I would be the last person to minimize the importance of medication -- I've seen in too many people medication's dramatic effects and their immense gratitude -- there is so much more to understanding ADHD.

For example, here is an excerpt on Counterwill:
"Children with attention deficit disorder are often characterized as stubborn, oppositional, cheeky, insolent, spoiled. "Wilful" is a description almost universally applied to them.... ADD children can hardly be said to have a will at all, if by that is meant a capacity which enables a person to know what he wants and to hold to that goal regardless of setbacks, difficulties, or distracting impulses....

"...Counterwill is an automatic resistance put up by a human being with an incompletely developed sense of self, a reflexive and unthinking going against the will of the other. It is a natural but immature resistance arising from the fear of being controlled. Counterwill arises in anyone who has not yet developed a mature and conscious will of their own. Although it can remain active throughout life, normally it makes its most dramatic appearance during the toddler phase, and again in adolescence. In many people, and in the vast majority of children with ADD, it becomes entrenched as an ever-present force and may remain powerfully active well into adulthood. It immensely complicates personal relationships, school performance, and job or career success."

[...]

Passages such as that completely unlocked the door to understanding for me. When it comes to ADHD, I've learned, what's "obvious" on the surface seldom holds water under close scrutiny. Despite having read dozens of books and articles on ADHD, I've not seen this perception on counterwill expressed and yet, from my observation, it is bedrock truth. And, it is only one of the profound concepts Dr. Mate exlains.

As for the nature/nurture issue, we know so little about genetic expression. Last time I looked, at least 7 genes, in various combinations and subsets, are thought contributory to ADHD. Perhaps it will be 10-20 years or more before we understand this highly heritable condition. I do know many mothers of children with ADHD who say that, even in utero, the child was clearly hyperactive. Some cases are less clear-cut. There are no hard and fast answers here.

That said, recent genetic studies reinforce Dr. Mate's theories, showing that the presence of a "behavior"-related gene does not guarantee its expression. For example, the recently discovered "shyness" gene seems to express in children who have it only under stressful conditions. (You can read more about this in a Jan 2006 Wall Street Journal's "Science Journal" column.) The idea is not to make parents feel guilty, as some have suggested, but to expand our knowledge and help future generations of children as much as possible. For instance, the epigenetic factors are good reason to encourage parents of children with ADHD to undergo screening for ADHD themselves. Studies have shown the often deleterious effect of living with a parent's untreated ADHD.

Gina Pera, author
Is It You, Me, or Adult A.D.D.? Stopping the Roller Coaster When Someone You Love Has Attention Deficit Disorder
ADHDRollerCoaster.com

Best thing ever happened, April 8, 2000
Reading this book was the best thing that ever happened to me. For me as a 49-years-old with only recently diagnosed ADD, it is of more therapeutic value than a good 17 years of psychotherapy have been. One reason is that I feel understood for the first time in my life. Another reason is formed by Mat�'s clear explanations on how to treat myself in order to make room for personal growth and development. In short: a jewel.

Finally, the Answers!, May 27, 2000
Do you wonder why you do and feel all of the weird things you do and feel? If it's due to Attention Deficit Disorder, you'll be thrilled with this compassionate, user-friendly book. Dr. Mate is personal, clear, and non-blaming in his explanations, insights, and suggestions for healing. His approach to medication usage is conservative but balanced. He and several of his children have ADD, and he shares honestly about his struggles with the symptoms. The book offers an excellent tapestry of the neurological and the psychological. I found that I now had an understanding of the "neurology behind the psychology."

NOW YOU WILL UNDERSTAND THE CAUSE OF ATTENTION DEFICIT DISOR, June 24, 2002
This phenomenal book, Scattered, by Dr. Gabor Mate, goes beyond causing us to totally rethink anything we thought we knew about Attention Deficit Disorder. Dr. Mate introduces us to an eye- opening concept that the cause of ADD is that children (he explains that it's due to what is called a lack of attunement between parent and child) are often not registering and processing the love of even the most caring parents. The author does a masterful job of explaining why this is so. Suddenly, one appreciates just how much knowledge and awareness must go in to the complex job of parenting. Dr. Mate truly has a gift for sharing this information in a way that will mesmerize readers of this inspiring book. After reading Scattered, many will no doubt come to the realization that they, or someone they love, may suffer from ADD or Adult ADD. I owe Dr. Mate a debt of gratitude for clarifying why so many people are experiencing such hurt and pain. Needless to say, I recommend this book as being crucially important for anyone who has reached a point of desperation in terms of understanding the cause of their emotional problems. This book should be mandatory reading for every teacher - for anyone who works with children. Thank you, Dr. Mate for your intuitive insights and this groundbreaking work that could change the world by impacting on all the generations to come. ... Read more

Editorial Review

The bestselling author and psychologist whose books have topped 240,000 copies in print now addresses the trait of “high sensitivity” in children–and offers a breakthrough parenting guidebook for highly sensitive children and their caregivers.

With the publication of The Highly Sensitive Person, Elaine Aron became the first person to identify the inborn trait of “high sensitivity” and to show how it affects the lives of those who possess it.Up to 20 percent of the population is born highly sensitive, and now in The Highly Sensitive Child, Aron shifts her focus to highly sensitive children, who share the same characteristics as highly sensitive adults and thus face unique challenges as they grow up.

Rooted in Aron’s years of experience as a psychotherapist and her original research on child temperament, The Highly Sensitive Child shows how HSCs are born deeply reflective, sensitive to the subtle, and easily overwhelmed.These qualities can make for smart, conscientious, creative children, but with the wrong parenting or schooling, they can become unusually shy or timid, or begin acting out.Few parents and teachers understand where this behavior comes from–and as a result, HSCs are often mislabeled as overly inhibited, fearful, or “fussy,”or classified as “problem children” (and in some cases, misdiagnosed with disorders such as Attention Deficit Disorder). But raised with proper understanding and care, HSCs are no more prone to these problems than nonsensitive children and can grow up to be happy, healthy, well-adjusted adults.

In this pioneering work, parents will find helpful self-tests and case studies to help them understand their HSC, along with thorough advice on:
• The challenges of raising an highly sensitive child

• The four keys to successfully parenting an HSC

• How to soothe highly sensitive infants

• Helping sensitive children survive in a not-so-sensitive world

• Making school and friendships enjoyable


With chapters addressing the needs of specific age groups, from newborns through teens, The Highly Sensitive Child delivers warmhearted, timely information for parents, teachers, and the sensitive children in their lives. ... Read more