The ADD & ADHD Answer Book: Professional Answers to 275 of the Top Questions Parents Ask

287 Pages·2005·0.96 MB·English

by  Susan Ashley

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What are the symptoms of ADD? What questions will the doctor ask me
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Should I medicate my child? What can I do to help my child now?

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ADD and ADHD are estimated to aff ect at least 3 to 7 percent of

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The ADD & ADHD Answer Book is a reassuring, authoritative reference for D
you and your family, providing sound advice and immediate answers
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to your most pressing questions.
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Written by an experienced child psychologist, The ADD & ADHD Answer ANSWERBOOK
Book answers your most important questions, including: TM
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Is AD/HD overdiagnosed? What type of doctor should
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evaluate my child?
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275
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What medications are used
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to treat AD/HD? Is there a cure for AD/HD?
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B *Includes Questionnaires and Checklists that help you get the most out of the Top Questions Parents Ask
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Susan Ashley, Ph.D., is the $14.95 U.S./ $17.95 CAN/ £7.99 U.K. (cid:2)(cid:2) K Know your child’s
founder and director of Ashley ISBN-13: 978-1-4022-0549-1 rrights at school
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and has been specializing (cid:2)(cid:2) H Help your child
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families. WWW.SOURCEBOOKS.COM
SUSAN ASHLEY, Ph.D. Susan Ashley, PhD
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THE
ADD ADHD
&
Answer Book
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THE
ADD ADHD
&
Answer Book
S A , P D
USAN SHLEY H
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Copyright © 2005 by Susan Ashley
Cover and internal design © 2005 by Sourcebooks,Inc.
Cover photo credit line © Punchstock
Sourcebooks and the colophon are registered trademarks of Sourcebooks,Inc.
All rights reserved.No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any elec-
tronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems—except in
the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews—without permission in
writing from its publisher,Sourcebooks,Inc.
This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the
subject matter covered.It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in
rendering legal,accounting,or other professional service.If legal advice or other expert assis-
tance is required,the services of a competent professional person should be sought.—From a
Declaration of Principles Jointly Adopted by a Committee of the American Bar Association and a
Committee of Publishers and Associations
This book is not intended as a substitute for medical advice from a qualified physician.The
intent of this book is to provide accurate general information in regard to the subject matter
covered.If medical advice or other expert help is needed,the services of an appropriate med-
ical professional should be sought.
All brand names and product names used in this book are trademarks,registered trademarks,
or trade names of their respective holders.Sourcebooks,Inc.,is not associated with any prod-
uct or vendor in this book.
Published by Sourcebooks,Inc.
P.O.Box 4410,Naperville,Illinois 60567-4410
[phone]
Fax:[phone]
www.sourcebooks.com
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Ashley,Susan,PhD.
The ADD & ADHD answer book / Susan Ashley.
p.cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-1-4022-1976-4 (alk.paper)
1. Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder--Popular works. I.Title.
RJ506.H9A327 2005
618.92'8589--dc22
2005021669
Printed and bound in the United States of America.
BG 10 9 8 7 6
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To parents searching for answers
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Contents
Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ix
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .xi
Chapter 1: The ABCs of ADD and ADHD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Chapter 2: Getting Your Child Evaluated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Chapter 3: Coexisting Disorders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51
Chapter 4: Succeeding in School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73
Chapter 5: Homework . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101
Chapter 6: Parenting:Rules,Routines,and Rewards . . . . . . . . .123
Chapter 7: Medication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .145
Chapter 8: Social Skills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .171
Chapter 9: Self-Esteem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .195
Chapter 10: Growing Up with AD/HD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .215
Appendix A: The 5 Most Important Lists You Need . . . . . . . .237
Appendix B: Section 504 Accommodations
and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .241
Appendix C: Behavior Charts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .249
Appendix D: Educational Tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .255
Appendix E: Recommended Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .257
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .267
About the Author . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .273
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Acknowledgments
There are many individuals who were helpful in the writing of this
book whom I wish to thank.
I wish to thank the hundreds of children whom I have had the
delight of knowing in my years of practice.They have been my great-
est source of information. It is through them that I truly came to
understand what it is like to be a child with AD/HD.I am honored
by their parents for allowing me to enter their family and for trusting
me with the most important person in their life.
My research assistant Tiffany Kleoni contributed to the develop-
ment of this book in ways that cannot be measured.Her dedication,
effort,and belief in this project helped immensely.
I am thankful for having the good fortune of working with Senior
Editor Bethany Brown. She was instrumental in the birth and
development of this book.Copy Editors Samantha Raue and Kelly
Barrales-Saylor were most helpful in lending their eye for detail in
the final stages of the book.
For their remarkable display of friendship to their schoolmates
through the Buddy Program,I wish to thank Elliott and Aaron Stone,
who are living role models for children to reach out to those in need.
Words cannot express my gratitude to my parents who provided
me with the gift of a calm,structured,and predictable home life that
has shaped not only what I teach parents in my practice, but also
how I live my life.
My deepest appreciation to Stan for everything.