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Thursday 19 January 2012

book review ADHD The essential Guide by Diane Paul

Mummy News sent me the following to review
ADHD The essential Guide by Diane Paul

                                                     
Diane Paul has won awards from the BMA for her books, she has run an educational publishing company with an emphasis on special needs, and has workshopped with special needs children.
The book is broken down into 14 sections over 145 pages Paperback copy polished in 2012 by Need2Know, it’s also available in accessible formats for the visually impaired, large print edition and ebook.

INTRODUCTION
Diane covers the misconception that ADHD was caused by bad parenting , and goes on to tell us that they have found the neural wiring in the brain tends to be different in ADHD sufferers. Diane touches on the fact that many cases go undiagnosed. She talks about the difficulties she faced in trying to research this disorder in her quest to gather as much information in order to write this book.
DEFINITION
A huge list has been compiled of possible disorders that show similar signs to the signs of ADHD, Some of them can co-exist. Beside each disorder is a brief description of what that disorder is.
CHAPTER ONE - What is ADHD?
Diane explains how ADHD is detected and covers the History of ADHD. In this chapter she talks of famous people who may or may not have suffered with ADHD.
CHAPTER TWO - Signs and Symptoms
A list of symptoms to look for along with a symptom check list. What to look for in children of different ages. Diane covers the different types of this disorder and certain characteristics that a child with ADHD might have.
CHAPTER THREE - What do we do next?
A guide to the process you will need to go through in order to get your child a diagnosis. In this chapter there is a list of all specialist that you might come across on your path to diagnosis beside each specialist is their job description. Diane gives realistic time scales on waiting time to get your child up to the testing stage and goes into detail of other disorders that the tests can show up.
CHAPTER FOUR - What causes ADHD?
This chapter covers all the possible causes of ADHD and what research has been carried out.
CHAPTER FIVE - The Ritalin Controversy
A list of medication used to treat children with ADHD along with a list of the most common medication. You will find a list of possible side effects that comes with certain medication and covers the NICE (national institute for clinical excellence) Guidelines
CHAPTER SIX - Talking Therapies and Alternatives
This section covers other Therapies that can be used, and tells you about alternative therapies and what research has been done on these.
CHAPTER SEVEN - You are what you Eat
Possible ways to improve your child’s behaviour by eliminating certain foods that contain salicylates and additives. What food colourings and preservatives do to your food and which common foods contain E numbers that are best avoided. What foods are great for supplementing your child’s diet. In this chapter the differences in a nutritionist and a dietician are explained.
CHAPTER EIGHT - Support from your School
Covers what to do if your child’s school is unsupportive, and the roles of the teachers and SENCO. It tells you about the SEN code of practice. A guide of how to get your child a statement of special education needs, and what to do if this is refused.
CHAPTER NINE – Family Support
This chapter tell you what support networks are available and the importance of the. A guide on what is needed to set up your own support group. Parental training that will help deal with your child’s disorder. At the end of this chapter you will find the lists of benefits that you could be entitled to should your child receive a diagnosis.

Chapter TEN – Transition into Adulthood
What steps will need to be taken to ease your child into adulthood, and tips for an easier working life. In this section it briefly covers symptoms in adults with this disorder.
At the end of each chapter the author summarises each chapter
HELP LIST
There is an impressive list of websites, contacts and supports groups
BOOK LIST
There is a list of other useful books 
Throughout the whole book there is quotes one of my favourites is “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle” Albert Einstein
Being a mum to a child that has ADHD, and one waiting assessment, I found this book full of useful, correct information. I discovered many things that I did not know about the disorder and other similar disorders. Nobody on my son’s specialist team has ever discussed changing my son’s diet so this section was enlightening. 
The author has achieved what she set out to write which is a guide to ADHD it is pact with information, and facts.
I recommend this book to people who suspect a child has ADHD, going through the diagnoses process or has been diagnosed. Other people who may find this useful is teachers or people wishing to learn more on the disorder.

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