Otto Learns about His Medicine: A Story about Medication for Children with ADHD

By Matthew R. Galvin and Dr. Matthew Galvin MD

Book Overview

Otto is a high-octane young car whose motor runs too fast. He also has trouble paying attention in school, is easily distracted, and says and does things without thinking. Otto and his parents visit a special mechanic, who prescribes a medicine to help slow down Otto's racing motor. Otto also meets other mechanics in his pit crew, who will show him ways to be more focused and organized, and teach him ways to get along better with others. This new edition of a classic resource for young children and their families includes the latest advances in the understanding of ADHD. An expanded Note to Parents by the author discusses treatment approaches and current findings about medications, including their possible side effects. From the Note to Parents: Children may be worried or frightened regarding medication. Information can help reduce their worries and correct unrealistic ideas. Many different medications are available for use in ADHD. Often the first choice is from the family of medications called psychostimulants. The term "stimulant" sometimes creates confusion. I am often asked, "Won't a stimulant cause my child to be even more hyperactive? I definitely don't want that " Neither does your doctor. It is helpful to think of these medications as stimulating the pathways in the brain that allow a person to focus and to make more efficient use of their working memory and problem-solving skills. They also help the person be in a position to acquire and practice new problem-solving skills. Problem- solving skills include: 1. Stopping and recognizing there's a problem to be solved; 2. Thinking through alternative ways of solving it; 3. Thinking about the consequences of each alternative solution; 4. Choosing a solution based on how those consequences are valued; 5. Devising a strategy for implementing the solution. In daily living, things happen and people respond. In shorthand, let's say S (denoting something happens) is followed by R (denoting a person's response), or S-R. Think of the hyphen between S and R as a way to represent the chance to focus. In a person with ADHD, the hyphen is shorter than it is in others. Medications draw the hyphen out more, from S-R to, say, S---R. It is important to understand that medication doesn't fill in the hyphen, though. Medication doesn't think things through or make one mindful of alternatives, consequences, or strategies. It doesn't create or understand values, or make choices for good or ill. The person has to do all that, although he or she can find help from the pit crew.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1557987718
• ISBN13: 9781557987716
• Release Date: July 2001
• Publisher: Magination Press
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 8.3" x 10.0"
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

helps the kids identify without pressure

Very effective. This book is great to help kids see that they are not alone, that its ok to just be who they are, and help is a matter of fact, not a big deal. my son loves this book because he loves cars. may not be as effective for girls.

great for young kids with ADHD

This is a great book to explain to children how their medicine can help them.

Just What the Doctor Ordered

Shortly after my middle son was diagnosed and given his meds the daily struggle on how to get him to take them began. Adding them to food did no good because he wouldn't eat it. Trying to get him to swallow was impossible as he would clamp his jaws shut. I bought this book and we read it many times and he began to understand why he needed to take his medicine. That was almost 3 years ago and there are times he reminds me it's time to take his meds. We gave the book to his psychiatrist when we were done with it.

Good way to explain medication and therapy to kids

I specialize in treating ADHD kids and this is one of the best books I have read that explains the process to children. It follows all the steps in the journey from diagnosis to treatment in a fantasy story about a young car who has a "motor that runs too fast". I will use it in my practice and will recommend it to the parents and children that I see with this disorder. I would highly recommend it.

Helps kids understand medication without fear or shame.

I keep a couple of copies of this book in my office. It uses humorous illustrations as well as concrete examples to help children understand why they need to take medication for AD/HD. Otto, a young car, visits a special engine mechanic and receives an engine treatment to help him run at the right speed. The author uses this metaphor to explain the nature of AD/HD, and the process of getting a psychiatric evaluation. It suggests some good questions that the the child might want to ask about medication. I particularly liked the way the book discussed potential side effects and how it encouraged the child to discuss this with his or her doctor.The book is aimed at elementary school children and some pre-schoolers.