Rating: 
Summary: Overly Simplistic
Review: It is obvious that Mr. Stein is an anti Ritalin zealot. His discussion on using Ritalin is sensationalized and alarmist. His discussion of Mr. Barkley's findings appear to be innaccurate. Some of the parenting tips could be helpful and were techniques we used on our other kids without ADHD. They failed miserably with our ADHD child. Ritalin may not be needed by everyone, but it is a life saver for some such as my own child. It does require active parenting techniques to go along with the medication. I would suggest other books by authors with more balanced views should be read rather than this one.
Rating: 
Summary: Ritalin Harmed My Husband!
Review: Leave Ritalin and all the other stimulant therapies alone! Several reviewers disagree with Dr. Stein and cite 50 years of research as their back-up. Of course, none of these citations is specific, so we have no way of investigating it. My husband was diagnosed with ADHD in the 70s. He was bounced from psychiatrist to psychiatrist. They had him on several different medications trying to find the magic pill that would make him a perfect child. He could completely relate to the dangerous side-effects he read about in Dr. Stein's book. Further, we believe these medications and the application of the label "hyperactive" gave my husband severe social and emotional impairments that he will likely never recover from. He is an alcoholic, and in the past has suffered with other addictions as well. Could it be because mommy taught him to take pills to control the way he feels?! Dr. Stein provides useful suggestions to improve parenting skills. Everyone can use those! Parenting is hard work. Magic pills will not solve your problems. I wish Dr. Stein had talked a little about diet, as well. Did you know that fluoride contributes to reduced brain function? While Omega-3 has been found to produce significant improvements in children diagnosed with ADHD. Do some research... check it out! Other good reads on parenting skills are "Parenting Isn't For Cowards" and "The Strong-Willed Child" both by Dr. James Dobson.
Rating:
Summary: The Answer to a Prayer
Review: My son was diagnosed with ADHD in kindergarden. He was on medication until after I read this book when he was in third grade. This book has been a godsend. We use the techiques in the book, and he has been on the A/B honor roll for the last 3 years. His self-esteem and self-control has improved greatly. He consistently thinks before he acts. I would recommend this book to anyone with a child with ADHD, and I have recommended it to many of my students' parents
Rating:
Summary: Highly One-sided
Review: Ritalin caused my life to turn around. Before Ritalin, I coasted through high school, failed out of college twice, and almost got fired from my first real job. Since Ritalin (prescribed for the first time at age 25), I have gotten promoted several times (by the same company that almost fired me), have re-entered college and have been getting straight A's, and have joined Mensa. DO NOT write off Ritalin (or other medications for ADD) simply because of falsely-induced media hype. While I agree that these drugs are probably being over-prescribed to some degree, I think it's criminal to automatically dismiss them as harmful. This book is truly only one side of the story. If you have ADD, or if you suspect that your child has ADD, I urge you to start with Ritalin, and then work closely with your child and your physician to determine whether or not it's truly working before trying other methods. Perhaps the methods in this book will work for some people. If so, great. But please make every attempt to explore all your options before you write off Ritalin. It has saved me, and might save you and yours as well.
Rating:
Summary: More than meets the eye
Review: The book over simplifies the issue. Behavioral inteventions are a MUST in treating any ADHD/ADD. It must be diagnoised by a physician with the anticdotal observations of parents and teachers, school counselors, etc. This is a real behavioral issue involving real brain chemistry differences. My advise to parents-being a parent of an ADHD child and a counselor is to use both behavioral interventions and medication--at least try the meds for 6 weeks along with using a schedule, more structure, etc.
Rating:
Summary: Ritalin can save your child's life
Review: The premise of this book -- that behavior modification can somehow help you gain control of your ADD/ADHD child and that medication is "wrong" -- is inaccurate and misleading. We've seen plenty of these books in recent years, and they cater to what people want to hear -- a quick fix without drugs. But ADD/ADHD stem from fundamental, neurologic differences in the brain that are becoming clearer every day through new SPECT scan imaging and other diagnostic means. Study after study has shown that proper medication can help these children focus, behave, and truly thrive, because it helps their brains approach "normal." If they CAN behave and learn, THEY WILL! A multimodal approach is useful in helping these dynamic kids, but medication is often the cornerstone of that approach. Educate yourself and your family through CHADD and other terrific organizations, and attend conferences at top-notch institutions like Eagle Hill,which specialize in treating kids with ADD and learning disabilities. My son has severe ADHD, as well as Tourette's syndrome (it is not accurate that Ritalin produces "tics;" ADD and tic disorders often co-exist in the same child, but tic disorders show up later than ADHD). Since preschool, we tried it all -- behavior mod, diet, herbs, you name it. In desperation, we tried Ritalin in his early elementary years and it has been a godsend. The dosing, of course, must be very carefully titrated, and different medications work better for different children. He has just turned 14 and has a wonderful group of friends, good grades in a very challenging school system, and a positive attitude. Once I thought I'd have to send him to a "special school," now we rejoice in the possibilities ahead for our son and consider the very best colleges. Ritalin, most recently in the new once-a-day Concerta form, has saved his life. And our entire family's. Hang in there and don't leave any stone unturned for your child. Read this book if you must...but at least give medication a try.
Rating: 
Summary: If ADD was only this simple
Review: The premise of this book is a bit off kilter. Many of his sections are misleading. Often suggesting that the doctors are in collusion with drug companies and public schools to sell ritalin. The reality is that Stein's philosophy is about 15 years old and doesn't hold any relavence. ADD and ADHD are the most commonly missdiagnosed psychological disorders and his annecdotal success stories are probably the result of this missdiagnosis. For real clarity and physical evidence. Check out Dr. Daniel Amen. He is cutting edge. His discovery is that there are actualy six types of ADD. Like Stein, he stresses that ritalin is only appropriate for two of the types, and that ritalin can actualy make things worse for the other 4 types. Amen's advice is pure, he offers up herbal supplement alternatives to medication, along with the most important perscription: a healthy and active life style. ... I am in now way affliated with Dr. Amen at all. I just feel that he is the expert on this topic. His advice has helped me more than anyone else's. For those of you skeptical of "professionals", Amen is the real deal. Infact he offers up several lessons and quotes from the bible. Those people who have truly encountered ADD knows that it can't be fixed from self discipline. ADD attacks when you least expect it. Training your self to avoid or to compensate for it unmedicated is a futile effort. I sympathize with evey parent and individual who is dealing with ADD.
Rating:
Summary: Must Read Guide for ADHD Behaviors
Review: This book contains practical information about how to address typical "ADHD" behaviors. It teaches the child to think independently and teaches consequenses for both positive and negative behaviors. I highly recommend this book unless you cannot see past the myth that ADHD is some mysterious brain disease that researchers cannot seem to pin point. A disease that is selective in its symptoms. An "ADHD" child can pay close attention an interesting TV program or game, but can't seem to pay attention and misbehaves in boring Math class. Dr. Stein's program is more effective than admistering drugs because the child learns coping skills. And although it takes more effort for parents initially, the results are lasting. Ritalin on the other hand, is easy to administer but the effects wear off after a few hours. My 8 year old son has responded postively to this program. His behavior is far more appropriate and positive now than when he was taking Ritalin.
Rating:
Summary: Must Read Guide for ADHD Behaviors
Review: This book contains practical information about how to address typical "ADHD" behaviors. It teaches the child to think independently and teaches consequenses for both positive and negative behaviors. I highly recommend this book unless you cannot see past the myth that ADHD is some mysterious brain disease that researchers cannot seem to pin point. A disease that is selective in its symptoms. An "ADHD" child can pay close attention an interesting TV program or game, but can't seem to pay attention and misbehaves in boring Math class. Dr. Stein's program is more effective than admistering drugs because the child learns coping skills. And although it takes more effort for parents initially, the results are lasting. Ritalin on the other hand, is easy to administer but the effects wear off after a few hours. My 8 year old son has responded postively to this program. His behavior is far more appropriate and positive now than when he was taking Ritalin.
Rating:
Summary: Finally....the truth!
Review: This book has been a lifesaver for my family. I highly recommend it to any parent who has a child who has been diagnosed ADD/ADHD - especially parents who have been bullied into accepting the diagnosis from schools. I have 2 children - 8 and 11. I have fought battles with the schools since Kinder and 1st grades for both my children, but mostly for my son, the 8 year old. The schools wanted to label my children ADD, but I knew they were not. The teachers basically wrote my son off because we wouldn't go down the ADD path with them and have him labelled and drugged. I was growing desparate for a solution. I hit the books. I found this one and it has literally changed our entire family. My son has gone from constant problems at school to A & B work - all because of this book. This book tells it like it is. Don't expect a white-washed book. Expect to learn a system that works. You will, while reading this book, have an AHA moment that will change your life forever. I wish this book were required reading in every school in the country. I wish I had found this book 5 years ago. Not only has it helped with school and grades, but our family life is totally different as well. The stresses that we had while we were fighting this battle and loosing are gone. We are happier, we have more fun as a family, we get along better. This is an amazing book.
| 
