ADHD Handbook for Families: A Guide to Communicating with Professinals

by Paul L. Weingartner

This empowering book gives families practical, concrete know-how. The ADHD Handbook is packed with proven, real-life strategies and techniques that can be put to use immediately, including how to... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0878687505
• ISBN13: 9780878687503
• Release Date: January 1999
• Publisher: Child & Family Press
• Length: 146 Pages
• Weight: 2.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.0" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

A Practical and Invaluable Resource

This book is a nice introduction to ADHD for individuals, parents, or families that are dealing with the disorder for the first time. Throughout the book, concepts are explained using several, real-life examples that make them easier to comprehend. Weingartner's perspective is unique in that he is diagnosed with ADHD himself, and he often draws from his own experiences to help readers understand what it is like to struggle with hyperactivity and inattentive behaviors. Given that the author is speaking as both a person who has learned to be successful living with ADHD, as well as a professional who helps others deal with the disorder, readers have the sense that they are gaining honest, "insider" information.Weingartner begins by describing what it feels like to have ADHD. He accomplishes this by having readers imagine themselves in different situations where they are struggling with distractions and becoming increasingly confused and frustrated. He details the various reactions that a person with ADHD elicits from the people he or she interacts with. Weingartner emphasizes the fact the ADHD is a neurobiological disorder that has inconsistent symptoms, can be difficult to diagnose, and is likely to remain evident throughout one's lifetime. Behavioral expectations can differ depending on the environment, therefore, these symptoms may not be evident in every situation.The next few chapters in the book describe the process of diagnosing ADHD. The author identifies the various individuals that would be part of a comprehensive assessment and the type of data each person would collect. He then offers tips for parents on how best to document the behaviors they observe. A sample form is provided that parents can use to communicate effectively with other professionals. Case examples are presented using these sample forms. Weingartner stresses that parent information is invaluable and he provides support in these chapters for parents to participate confidently in the evaluation process.The author then discusses medical and psychosocial interventions, as these methods have the most research support endorsing their effectiveness. Parents are encouraged to consider using both interventions as best practice. Common fears about medication and its side effects are discussed, as well as the variety of medications that are used today to treat ADHD. The author stresses that individuals will have unique, individual reactions to medical treatment. In the chapter on psychosocial interventions, the author explains the theory and effective practice of behavior modification. He includes excellent examples of how behavior modification is a natural part of all our lives. The importance of selecting appropriate, immediate, and consistent consequences for behavior is discussed. Weingartner also highlights several ways parents can ensure their behavior modification program will be successful, such as catching their chil

An Excellent Resource

This book was informative and insightful; very down-to-earth with real-life examples that any parent, teacher or caregiver could relate to whether or not they were familiar with ADHD.This book is an excellent resource for anyone wanting to better understand ADHD in children or adults and the treatment processes involved. It truly is an excellent "guide for communicating with professionals".