The book Overcoming ADHD Without Medication: A Guidebook for Parents and Teachers, was produced through fieldwork with children with ADHD and other special education-related disorders or difficulties in public schools. A practical guide on how parents and teachers can help children overcome symptoms of ADHD without stimulants or other medication. It contains the ideas and lifework of numerous professionals who work with children with ADHD and other special needs on a daily basis.
Additionally, thorough research of the subject gives parents a good understanding of the disorder, its symptoms, causes and solutions.
The focus of the book is positive and solution oriented with the goal of helping parents, teachers and professionals to have concise information which can help them help children to overcome ADHD without having to resort to pharmaceuticals.
Far too many children are prescribed stimulants and other psychiatric medications when there are other options that can work equally as well or better. Further, we have seen many young children on stimulant medications who continue to demonstrate serious behavioral problems in class.
There is much circumstantial, observational as well as scientific evidence in the way of clinical studies that supports the view that non-pharmaceutical methods of treating ADHD, including self-help, are not only of much value, but can effectively take a child out of the classifiable range.
Psychiatric medication addresses symptoms, but it does not cure the illness. In some ways it is like an aspirin. An aspirin helps you to deal with a headache, but it doesn't cure it, and when the effects of the aspirin stop working, you have to take another aspirin. The same is true of most psychiatric medications.
The use of stimulant drugs results in some improvement for some of those who take them, usually for a limited time span. However, approximately 10% find the use of stimulant medications intolerable and 90% of children who are prescribed stimulant medications experience serious side effects.
At the same time, lifestyle changes that parents can easily implement in the home, as well as activities for children which help them to focus, can result in positive gains in the way of ability to concentrate and behave in class. Engaging in artwork helps many children with ADHD, who are often times visually-oriented, to focus, in considering one non-pharmaceutical skill that children can develop.
Overcoming ADHD Without Medication was developed through years of research and field work in the public school system and in working with individual students in private tutoring. The concepts presented here work, and can help most children to overcome symptoms of ADHD without ever needing to take psychiatric medications.
The book also contains ideas reflecting the life work from a number of educational professionals, including an inner-city reading coach, school psychologist, special education teachers, early childhood teachers, ADHD coach, and also includes references from clinical psychologists, university psychology professors, educational authors, various clinical studies on such subjects as media violence, the effects of television attention, video games and children's grades, side effects of medication and green therapy.
Professionals whose work is highlighted in Overcoming ADHD Without Medication
Reading coach
School psychologist
Special education teachers
Early childhood teachers
Certified ADHD coach
Clinical psychologists
Educational authors
Clinical studies
Some of the non-pharmaceutical methods covered in Overcoming ADHD Without, in addition to lifestyle changes and prevention, are art and art therapy, green therapy, nutrition, biofeedback, positive teaching methods and adjustments, positive parenting adjustments.
The book is well-referenced, has an extensive bibliography and index, 15 illustrations, six charts and graphs, as well as a recommended reading and resources section. We hope that it helps your child to be successful in school and in life.
Reviews of Overcoming ADHD Without Medication: A Parent and Educator's Guidebook
Midwest Book Review, May 7, 2011 (Oregon, WI USA)
5 Stars *****
An excellent read that should very much be considered by concerned parents.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder almost comes at an epidemic level. "Overcoming ADHD without Medication" is a guide for parents who want to pursue treating this condition for their children without resorting to drugs such as Ritalin, which carry some side effects. With a lot of thought and understanding of concern, "Overcoming ADHD without Medication" is an excellent read that should very much be considered by concerned parents.
end review
Invest in your child by reading this book, July 13, 2010
By Howard F. Clarke (Fort Worth, TX USA)
I'm going to be straight with you. As a medical provider for 30 years, I can promise you that many parents seeking help for their kids unfortunately will pass right by this wonderful book because of its title. Or, more likely, they won't seek any literature at all. People are busy. People are stressed. Often both parents work; they are tired, they want a quick fix for dinner, a quick fix for problems, a quick fix for their misbehaving child. But if you are reading this review--and the other reviews here--I congratulate you for taking the time and investing it in your child, sibling, or other family member, as the case may be.
More and more, these days, the quick fix isn't so quick. Doctors will want behavioral testing and testimonies from teachers...in other words documentation, before the docs prescribe the meds to suppress ADHD. And many of the medications require what used to be known as triplicate prescriptions--the type of Rx's that are watched very closely by the FDA due to the potential for abuse with these drugs. And the child's metabolism, chemistry labs, and development are monitored--or should be--when these types of meds are used.
I think that every parent or guardian considering treating the child with ADHD should buy this book and read it cover to cover...and then, with the help of a physician if it becomes necessary, decide upon the best course. This book is extremely well-done, not a stuffy text book, but an attractive, easy-to-read invaluable source of information that applies not only to the "hyperactive" youngster, but also to a family that is sorting through various concerns affecting mental, physical, and even spiritual health.
Any medication put into a child's body is considered a "dangerous drug," pretty much a term used by the FDA for any prescribed drug. It is a good term, because even the mis-use of a vitamin, particularly fat soluble, could cause harm. But...meds can be helpful: they can improve and prolong life. Sometimes they are necessary and right. Read "Overcoming ADHD Without Medication: A Parent and Educator's Guidebook" and then make educated decisions. At the very least, you will know what questions to ask.
--Howard F. Clarke, Asst. Professor in a busy University Family Medicine Clinic and author of "When Cancer Comes Your Way"
A Must Have For Any Person or Parent of Child w/ADHD June 27, 2010
Maiysha Clairborne MD (Atlanta, GA)
As a physician, I see children and adults daily who have been diagnosed with ADD and ADHD. The first thing that often happens in this case is that they are put on medications without any regard for their lifestyle or nutritional habits. What I love about this book is that right from the beginning the author addresses that ADHD is a multi-factorial illness that has multi-factorial solutions.
I especially like that he addresses how the over-exposure of a child to TV, movies, media, and video games affects the brain of a child in such a way that may contribute to the development of ADHD. In this book, the author skips over judgements and superfluous commentary, and gets right to the solutions. He gives the facts, backed up with data for both pharmacological and non-pharmacological management, as well as lifestyle management and leaving reader to decide which path to take in treatment. I especially love the section on the positive effects of music and art therapy.
At the end of the book, the author leaves you with several resources so the learning can continue beyond the close of the book. There is no doubt that after reading this book, any parent of a child or person suffering from ADHD will be well informed on all of the avenues of treatment. It's an easy read, it's well laid out, and based on research. I would definitely recommend this to my patients and anyone else who has or knows someone with ADHD.
Maiysha Clairborne MD, author of Life On Your Terms: 7 Steps to a More Empowered You
From Readers:
5.0 out of 5 stars An invaluable book for parents, September 9, 2010
If you have a child who is diagnosed with ADHD, this book is a must read.
I found it gave a comprehensive view of ADHD (its possible causes, its treatment options) along with many thoughtful insights into ways it can be managed without medication. It is easy to read and the information is easy to understand and use.
You owe it to your child, yourself and your family to read this book for its great advice and to find out more about how to live successfully with ADHD.
Overcoming ADHD Without Medication has been reviewed by educational and psychology professionals with PhD's in education and psychology, respectively, and has been determined to be a verified source of accurate information on mental health.
Overcoming ADHD Without Medication: A Guidebook for Parents and Teachers,
by the Association for Youth, Children and Natural Psychology 124 pages, illustrated, charts, extensive bibliography, recommended reading, index. Published by NorthEast Books & Publishing, Newark, NJ. Distributed by
Cardinal Publishing Group, Indianapolis, IN.
