Parenting ADHD: Useful Books

My last post Update: Parenting ADHD, I mentioned a few books that I had ordered to help us as a family deal with J and his needs.

The books arrived last week and we got set straight away reading the 2 child friendly books to the children. J even read one of them back at me. It took him a while and he struggled with some of the words, but he did really well.

Anyway, I wanted to share with you the books that I brought, incase anyone out there will find them helpful too.

The books are:

"All Dogs Have ADHD" by Kathy Hoopmann - 'Absorbing and insightful, this book takes a refreshing approach to understanding ADHD. It combines humour with understanding to reflect the joys and challenged of raising a child who is different.'

I was given this book to read at J's last hospital appointment and thought it was really good and it is exactly like J. I thoought it would help him understand himself a bit better.

 "My Brother Is Different" by Louise Gorrod and Illustrations by Beccy Carver. Written for The National Autistic Society.

There is no synopsis for this book. The book is fabulous for explaining to children about why their brother is different. Not all of the aspects in the book are relevant to our family, but hopefully it will give the girls a bit of an insight into why J does the things he does and that he doesn't mean to do them, and how they should love him for being him.

"How to Help Your Child With ADHD: Practical ways to make family life run more smoothly" by Beverly Davies - 'What can you do to help your child with ADHD? Parenting a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can be hugely stressful and can often feel overwhelming. But you are not alone. How to Help your Child with ADHD draws on the advice and experience of many parents so you can make a different to your child's life by discovering how to: * Deal with doctors and ask the right questions. * Weigh up the pros and cons of different treatments. * Provide the right diet for your child. * Handle difficult behaviour without losing your temper. * Share responsibility with your family. * Work in partnership with your school."

I have only just started to read this book and this is probably the book I need the most. I find it hard to stay strong and focused and to not shout at J for his behaviour. I need to remind myself that he doesn't know/understand what he is doing wrong and rather than shout at him for it, I need to react to him in a calmer manner and discuss why he thought that the actions he took were appropriate at the time. I will let you know what I felt about this book when I have finished it.

"Understanding A.D.H.D: A parent's guide to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Children" by Dr Christopher Green and Dr Kit Chee - 'Understanding ADHD is the definitive guide to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder for parents, teachers and health professionals, including the latest research on this distressing and misunderstood condition. This is the most up-to-date guide from the author of the international bestseller Toddler Taming. In his typically friendly and direct style, Dr Christopher Green, with Dr Kit Chee, explains the causes and effects of ADHD and provides well-tried, practical strategies to help cope with common problems such as inattention, impulsiveness and under achievement. He demystifies the condition and offers the latest information on the Ritalin debate. *how to identify ADHD in your child. * medication and alternative therapies. * self-help for adults with ADHD. * where to get support. * how to help with reading, writing and language. * improving behaviour at school and home. * the latest research on medication and treatment.'

This book sounds like a great book to help anyone understand ADHD and how it affects not only the child, but the family too.

ADHD is still not recognised by some people as being a REAL condition. A lot of people think it is just an excuse for a 'naughty' child, but it's not! There is an imbalance in the brain that causes ADHD. It happens when the foetus is growing inside the womb and will ALWAYS be with that child. It will not go away and they will not 'grow out of it' like some assume. They just learn to manage and cope with it. They know no different, to the child with ADHD, they ARE normal!!

I would recommend anyone who has a child with ADHD, if you have a child with ADHD within your family or simply a friend has a child with ADHD, please take a moment to read a book about it! We need to educate people more on ADHD!!

All these books are readily available on the internet and (I assume) at bookstores and /or libraries.

*This is NOT a sponsored post. I merely want to share with you information I have found to be useful, and hope it helps someone reading this.