Making the System Work for Your Child with ADHD

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.

I read this book so that I may learn more about the school system and how I can manuever my child to succeed the most possible. Also it gives advice on how to succeed at home and in the public with a child who has ADHD/ADD. While learning about ADHD, this is not the only book I suggest you read, but as one of the books on a list to read to be more informed about ADHD. I am pleased that I purchased the book and am almost done. I tabbed many pages so that I may return and do the activity/plan and be more prepared for the future years of dealing with a child who has ADHD. The author included comments that other parents have made regarding their tried and true strategies or just plain every day issues/feelings. The book was very easy to read, not boring and enganged my attention for many, many hours. It gives advice, support and encouragement. I have a long road ahead of me, but its good to know that the author also had a child with ADHD. It also has an appendix suggesting websites, other authors' books, and organizations that any parent of ADHD would need to know. I would recommend this book to family and friends.

This book will walk you through the process of getting your child evaluated and the steps needed to insure your child gets the best schooling that is available. It will cover your rights as a parent and how to work together with the school system. Prior to getting this book, I had already taken the necessary steps and was armed with lots of knowledge on the subject but I still learned a lot from reading it. If you're new to ADHD or not sure of what your entitlements are, this book is a must have. Worth every penny.

I was looking for a book to help me understand how to maneuver through all the red tape of special ed and testing. This gave a lot of info but didn't answer all the questions I had.

Very helpful. A must-have.

Recommend for all parents raising a child with ADHD. Valuable information, amply resources, and sound strategies that really work for you.

This book was filled with information that I didn't even realize I needed to know about ADHD. I highly recommend it to any parent with an ADHD child.

Good product

Great book