Making the System Work for Your Child with ADHD

Rating:
Summary: Terrific Resource
Review:
Reviewed by Sandra F. Rief, author of How to Reach & Teach Children with ADD/ADHD, 2nd edition (2005) and The ADHD Book of Lists (2003):



This is an outstanding book - one that I highly recommend not only to parents of children with ADHD, but anyone (educator or clinician) advising parents of how to obtain the best help for their children. The author addresses what to expect from and how to get the best from their healthcare system, child's education, home and family life, etc.

Written with compassion, humor, solid understanding, and powerful expert advice by one of the world's leading and most respected researchers, practitioners, and authorities in the field. What makes this book exceptionally valuable and insightful is that Dr. Peter Jensen also shares what he has learned as a parent of a child with ADHD, as well - not only his own personal anecdotes and perspective as a parent, but the honest and open advice of other "expert parents" who were interviewed for this wonderful book.

Dr. Jensen has written an invaluable resource - one that gives parents information that no other book I have seen has been able to provide... the inside scoop on how parents can get what they need from their physician, the school, their insurance providers, etc. In short, it is a guide for helping parents best advocate and become an effective case manager for their child with ADHD.

I found Making the System Work for Your Child with ADHD to provide exactly what the title indicates. It is packed with information that will strengthen, encourage, and empower parents. At the same time, Dr. Jensen's humorous, engaging style made it a pleasure to sit down and read this book.

I also appreciate the author's focus on how to cultivate positive working relationships between parents and all parties involved in the care and education of their child, how to advocate for their children effectively - yet do so in a way conducive to building a collaborative relationship ... a win-win situation.





Rating:
Summary: Critic's Review
Review: A very good book, and a good read. What tipped me off was the following, from the Library Journal, written by Maryse Breton:

Library Journal
Jensen (child psychiatry, Columbia Univ.) aims to help parents solve problems encountered when dealing with the professionals who work with children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD); he wants readers to realize that doctors, teachers, therapists, and insurance companies should work for them. Acknowledging the limited resources of some and the unwillingness of others, Jensen provides solid tips and a great deal of information based on his practice, his experience as a parent of a child with ADHD, and input from many other parents. The author's experience on both sides of the fence gives the book strength and authority, as do the extensive appendixes listing resources, organizations and books, sample letters, and an example of a school accommodation plan for children with ADHD. While Russell Barkley's Taking Charge of ADHD, Revised Edition: The Complete, Authoritative Guide for Parents helps readers understand ADHD, Jensen's book assists them in getting the best care possible. Highly recommended for all public libraries. Maryse Breton, Ann Arbor, MI Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.


Rating:
Summary: Very helpful...different from the usual book on ADHD
Review: At last something practical on ADHD, and that I can use! I've been struggling with my 9 year old daughter's adhd and her school's continuing reluctance (actually, I think refusal is the better term) to do anything to help me or her. Learning more about her rights, and some practical next steps I can try, even with the school's stone-walling I've run into this far, gives me new hope.

I really liked hearing about other parents' experiences, and getting their tips. Knowing that others have been there too, and seeing how they handled it makes me realize there are some things I can try to change the situation, including getting my lawyer neighbor to write a letter on my behalf. I have been patient and understanding with the school's lack of resources, but my daughter's problems are not getting better, and she's only getting more locked into low self-esteem and feeling like she hates school. So time for a change. Look out, world! No one is going to stand between this momma bear and her cub.

Rating:
Summary: At last the book I've been looking for!
Review: I have been searching far and wide for something that I felt really gave me practical advice on managing my daughter's ADHD. Out of frustration, not finding anything like I needed, I actually begin to write the book myself. Being ADHD, after 3 years, I hadn't gotten far, as you might guess. But my close friend who also has a child with ADHD told me about this new book by Dr. Jensen, and darned if he hasn't already written the book I have started to write! I loved it, though I wish he had written it when my daughter was first diagnosed 4 years ago. For someone with ADHD, I was amazed how I couldn't put it down...I think it was the parents stories. They were so much like my own, I wondered if he had been talking to my husband or to my friend! They both deny it, of course.

But better late than never. The book is full of advice I have only been learning the hard way, plus new ideas from other parents who really know. Dr. Jensen, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU. Dottie.

Rating:
Summary: I wish I had this book several years ago
Review: I've been hearing from several members of CHADD about this book, and finally got my hands on it at my local Barnes and Noble. I picked it up, and literally couldn't put it down during spare minutes where I wasn't supervising my ADD son and playing traffic cop between him and his younger sister, as well as tending to my other jobs as chauffeur, cook, laundress, tutor, and our family's executive director...

After three days, my book is fully marked with yellow highlighter and notes in the margins for things I am going to try out. Happily, this book is not the normal jibberish you so often get from doctors, but instead it is full of common-sense and uncommon sense, plus lots of really good tips from parents "who have been there".

I needed this book back when my child was first diagnosed, but better late than never. I like Dr. Jensen's point "you can get there from where you are now" and that there are "no dead ends."

Delighted in Dallas

Rating:
Summary: Very helpful
Review: I've been through several books, but this is one of the best so far. What I particularly like is Dr. Jensen's problem-focused approach, and the practical solutions to all the crazy frustrating problems my wife and I didn't realize we would get into with our son's school, and even with his doctor who should know better. We were inspired to look around, once we began to realize our previous doctor wasn't as knowledgeable about ADHD as we just assumed he would be. The new doctor, a pediatrician who specializes in ADHD has been a real boon. The letters at the back of the book were especially good, particularly in guiding us in writing offical letters to the school to get more classroom help. We're not "there" yet, but this book has given us a jump start, and was well worth what we spent. Ron Vitello [e-mail]

Rating:
Summary: Practical, comprehensive book for parents and professionals
Review: You can always tell the books written by people who have personal experience with AD/HD. You can also spot books written by authors with clear professional experience. This book is both. Dr.Jensen is both a well-known reasearcher and the parent of a boy with AD/HD. He includes deatiled practical information on a variety of topics relevant to reasing a child with AD/HD. He illustrates this with examples from his own family life as well as with the voices of many other parents. He clearly shows respect for the members of families who are dealing with AD/HD.

I liked his suggestions on how to interact with health professionals in a managed care environment. He holds physicians to a high standard of care, and tells parents how to be effective and assertive when they feel that they are not getting what they need. I liked his suggestions on how to politely get your doctor to answer further questions when he is ready to end the session. I was glad that he talked about communication between members of the child's treatment team. this is often where treatment founders. He gives specifics on how a parent can encourage and monitor the communication flow beween school, physician, and other therapists.

Dr. Jensen explains the role of medication and how parents can help professionals monitor progress and possible side effects. He also suggests situations when a parent might want to consider whether the medication is not being monitored closely enough. He suggests ways that parents can hlep the physician monitor medications. He explains the importance of a parent keeping records of medications and other treatments.

The section on home and family life is compassionate and pragmatic. He gives suggestions for behavioral plans but also puts them in a realistic perspective. He gives suggestions for what to do if a well-designed plan does not work. He discusses parent stress and burnout. Many parents have wanted practical information on how to balance play dates and a busy schedule.

The appendices contain items such as model letters requesting special education services. There are also recommended books and web sites for individuals who desire more information on legal rights, time managements and advocacy groups.

At 283 pages, the book might be too long and too dense for some stressed, overworked parents. For those new to AD/HD a shorter book might make a more accessible introduction. However, for the parent who has the attention and time to read it, the book provides the practical wisdom of many experienced parents and the knowlege of an experienced scientist.