ADHD: What Every Parent Needs to Know

by American Academy of Pediatrics, Michael I. Reiff MD (Editor)

Overview

Based on the American Academy of Pediatrics’ current clinical practice guidelines for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), this updated guide offers parents balanced, reassuring, and authoritative information on this challenging and often misunderstood condition. Written in clear, accessible language, the new edition features the latest information on ADHD medications and offers expanded sections on preschoolers and adolescents. A new chapter on advocacy, updates on special education services and laws, and the role of the medical home are also included. Among the common questions examined are How is ADHD diagnosed? What are today's best treatment options? and Will my child outgrow ADHD? The reference also addresses what schools can do to support children with the condition and offers ADHD management strategies that balance the roles of behavior therapy, medications, and parenting techniques.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781581104516
Publisher:	American Academy of Pediatrics
Publication date:	03/14/2011
Edition description:	Second Edition, Second edition
Pages:	336
Product dimensions:	7.06(w) x 9.12(h) x 0.66(d)

About the Author

Michael I. Reiff, MD, FAAP, is an associate professor of pediatrics and family medicine at the University of Minnesota, where he is the director of the Autism Spectrum and Neurodevelopmental Disorders Clinic. He has written and spoken nationally and internationally on ADHD and autism spectrum disorders and served on the Executive Committee of the AAP Section on Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. He is presently the editor of Developmental and Behavioral News, the AAP Section on Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics newsletter, and a member of the AAP ADHD Guidelines Committee.

Table of Contents

Please Note xiii

Foreword xiv

Note on Gender xv

Introduction xvii

Chapter 1 What Is ADHD? 1

Chapter 2 Does My Child Have ADHD? Evaluation and Diagnosis 15

Chapter 3 What Should We Do?: Treatment Options 35

Chapter 4 The Role of Medications 59

Chapter 5 Managing ADHD at Home 85

Chapter 6 Behavior Therapy: Parenting Techniques That Work 109

Chapter 7 Your Child at School 139

Chapter 8 Advocating for Your Child and others E. Clarke Ross Paula F. Goldberg Julie Holmquist 175

Chapter 9 When It Is Not Just ADHD: Identifying Coexisting Conditions 195

Chapter 10 Complementary and Alternative Treatments for ADHD 231

Chapter 11 ADHD in Adolescence 253

Chapter 12 A Look at Your Child's Future 287

Afterword 307

Resources 311

Appendix: Vanderbilt Assessment Scales 319

Index 325

Editorial Reviews

"While nothing about ADHD is easy, this book is well-structured and surprisingly easy to understand . . . as it walks parents through the difficult process of defining the disorder and its various subtypes. Parents will appreciate the abundant charts, myth-busting sidebars, case studies, parenting strategies, and clarifying message: diagnosing and effectively treating ADHD relies on the dedicated, long-term teamwork among a child's parents, teachers, mental health professionals, and physicians." —Publishers Weekly on the first edition

From the Publisher

With its arsenal of experts, evidence-based research and trusted name, the American Academy of Pediatrics sets out to demystify and untangle the knot of controversy surrounding one of today's hot-button health issues: ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). Nothing unnerves parents more than confronting the realization that their child might be diagnosed with ADHD at least until they face the mountain of potentially disreputable books, articles and Web sites dedicated to the topic and the media hype that has made ADHD a dreaded household word. The concern is not unfounded: ADHD affects 6% to 9% of the school-age population, a childhood problem second only to asthma. What's more, much of the confusion occurs because behaviors associated with ADHD inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity are exhibited by all children at some time. The AAP's intent for this guide is to provide a single source that reveals the truth about the disorder, diagnosis, treatment and lifelong management of ADHD. While nothing about ADHD is easy, this book is well structured and surprisingly easy to understand (although the writing is rather clinical and devoid of warmth), as it walks parents through the difficult process of defining the disorder and its various subtypes. Parents will appreciate the abundant charts, myth-busting sidebars, case studies, parenting strategies and clarifying message: diagnosing and effectively treating ADHD relies on the dedicated, long-term teamwork among a child's parents, teachers, mental health professionals and physicians. (Apr.) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Publishers Weekly