Maybe You Know My Kid: A Parent's Guide to Identifying, Understanding, and Helping Your Child With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Rating:
Summary: A Helpful Guide
Review: A wise and interesting book, and one of several you ought to read if your child has ADHD. Ms. Fowler includes a wealth of information about ADHD here (relying heavily on Russell Barkeley), but it's from a parent's perspective rather than a psychologist's or doctor's. It is well organized and easily read and understood; the end of each chapter contains a summary (great if you're ADD yourself!) which I found particularly helpful because I'm always looking back into books to find something I read earlier. Ms. Fowler's point of view is refreshing, too. She readily admits her mistakes and valiantly tries to find a way to look at her son and her family that is neither pathological nor mythological. I found this book to be useful, interesting, and, ultimately, inspirational. The only (tiny) quibble I have with it is that the "case study" is only one child. If you read very much about ADHD or ADD, you quickly learn that it manifests itself in a large number of ways. Looking at only one child (who has a pretty severe "case") may confuse parents whose child shows different manifestations of ADHD or ADD and lead them to believe that their family will not be affected very much unless the child is on the far end of the ADHD spectrum. For this reason, I heartily recommend this book but also recommend reading other books about ADHD as well.

Rating:
Summary: Finally, a parent's perspective.
Review: A wise and interesting book, and one of several you ought to read if your child has ADHD. Ms. Fowler includes a wealth of information about ADHD here (relying heavily on Russell Barkeley), but it's from a parent's perspective rather than a psychologist's or doctor's. It is well organized and easily read and understood; the end of each chapter contains a summary (great if you're ADD yourself!) which I found particularly helpful because I'm always looking back into books to find something I read earlier. Ms. Fowler's point of view is refreshing, too. She readily admits her mistakes and valiantly tries to find a way to look at her son and her family that is neither pathological nor mythological. I found this book to be useful, interesting, and, ultimately, inspirational. The only (tiny) quibble I have with it is that the "case study" is only one child. If you read very much about ADHD or ADD, you quickly learn that it manifests itself in a large number of ways. Looking at only one child (who has a pretty severe "case") may confuse parents whose child shows different manifestations of ADHD or ADD and lead them to believe that their family will not be affected very much unless the child is on the far end of the ADHD spectrum. For this reason, I heartily recommend this book but also recommend reading other books about ADHD as well.

Rating:
Summary: A Helpful Guide
Review: I read this book in two nights. I would recommend it especially to any parent whose child has been recently diagnosed with ADHD. Especially informative where chapters regarding working with the school system and educators. Clear and easily understood information regarding diagnosis, evaluation, the IEP process, IDEA, 504 plans etc. would be especially helpful to parents entering into the educational system. Chapters on home behavior management and techniques, and information to help parents better understand our wonderful children who live with ADHD will help any parent be a better advocate for their child. Highly recommended, an easy and informative read.

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful reference book for parents of children with ADD/
Review: Whether you just recently found out that a child you care about is impacted by ADD/ADHD, or if you have known for some time, this book contains valuable information on treatment, education advocacy, and dealing with the trials that can accompany parenting someone with AD(H)D. Perhaps the best part though, is the guilt-reduction that occurs as Mary Fowler takes you through her personal journey of loving, and raising her ADHD son. This book is a "must-have" for parents and teachers alike!