Taking Charge of ADHD

The complete, authoritative guide for parents

Russell A.Barkley PhD

I am usually sceptical of a review which starts, ‘This book is essential reading for parents’. But I do strongly recommend this book to parents and to professionals working with children who have ADHD.

In this revised new edition there is everything you need to know about the strategies which you can use to help your child. Barkley urges parents to be proactive, and to treat educators and professionals involved with your child as your advisors. You are the case manager of your child’s life. You are the child’s voice with others, and you are the one to protect him from criticism and rejection. So the purpose of this book is to empower you to become ‘an executive parent’ who is as effective as possible in getting the help your child needs.

The author pays heed to the family context of children with ADHD and acknowledges that a child with ADHD is stressful for all family members. There are thoughtful comments about the interaction between children with ADHD and their mothers, fathers and siblings and Barkley spotlights the reaction of a parent to child misconduct over time: ‘Living with a child who has ADHD can seriously tax a parent’s mental health and commitment to parenthood.’

All parents will find the chapter called ‘Eight Steps to Better Behaviour’ especially useful - it is crammed full of strategies and helpful programmes. And for many parents the chapter on ‘Medications for ADHD’ will answer most of the questions they want to ask, while the chapter on ‘How to Take Care of Yourself’’ is a mine of essential information; even reading it will, hopefully, give you the break you deserve.

© Jill Curtis 2002

Guilford Press      £14.50     $18.95   ISBN 1572305606 

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