ADHD

Here are some resources that may give information and help in raising a child diagnosed with ADD1 or ADHD.

ADHD Information

Carrie Jones has a master’s in Public Health and is an epidemiologist working at our clinic in Ukarumpa, Papua New Guinea. She has ADHD, and she has three sons with ADHD.

ADHD & Executive Function

Chyrl Mullins, a certified educational diagnostician with Wycliffe USA, summarizes characteristics of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) for us and the impact it has on executive function in children. 

ADHD Causes & Treatment

Chyrl Mullins shares some proposed causes for ADHD and gives some specific life-style changes that might help.

Strategies for ADHD  in the Classroom

Chyrl Mullins shares specific suggestions for helping students with ADHD to better succeed.

Helpful Links

ADDitude
Provides information on symptoms, treatment, the ADHD adult, and parenting the ADHD child.

CHADD
Provides descriptions, research, and resources for both children and adults with ADHD.

Helping the ADHD Family
A short article that offers suggestions to for dealing with children with ADHD.

Books

For Adults

7 Crucial Tips For Parents and Teachers of Children with ADHD by Bryan Hutchison
The author was diagnosed as an adult as having ADHD. He covers his experience growing up with ADHD and provides general principles on how to nurture and ADHD child to provide the foundation for personal success. (Kindle only)

ADD/ADHD Alternatives in the Classroom by Thomas Armstrong, PhD
For a more whole-person consideration of what could be the causes of ADHD-type behaviors in the classroom and how to tackle those issues in alternative ways (besides or in addition to the typical medication and behavioral approaches)

The ADD/ADHD Checklist: A Practical Reference for Parents and Teachers by Sandra F. Rief M.A. (ISBN 0470189702)
The ADD/ADHD Checklist helps parents and teachers to better understand children and teenagers with attention problems and provide the kind of support and intervention that is crucial to kids’ success. (Kindle edition available.)

Driven to Distraction: Recognizing and Coping with Attention Deficit Disorder from Childhood through Adulthood, Edward M. Hallowell, John J. Ratey. Simon and Schuster, 1995. (Link is to revised edition.)

How To Reach And Teach Children with ADD / ADHD: Practical Techniques, Strategies, and Interventions by Sandra F. Rief M.A.
This book is filled with practical strategies and techniques to improve the academic, behavioral, and social performance of students with ADHD. (Kindle edition available.)

The Myth of the A.D.D. Child: 50 Ways to Improve Your Child’s Behavior and Attention Span Without Drugs, Labels, or Coercion by Thomas Armstrong, PhD,
Same as above but focused more on home/family strategies.

Parenting Children with ADHD: 10 Lessons That Medicine Cannot Teach by Vincent J. Monastra, PhD
The author covers the causes of ADHD, the different medications used to treat ADHD, diet implications, and practical life skills to teach. This book was updated in March 2014; to see reviews of the older version, click  here. (Kindle edition available.)

The Source for ADD/ADHD Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder by Gail J. Richard
This book deals with the many questions surrounding a diagnosis of ADD or ADD/ADHD.

Taking Charge of ADHD, Third Edition: The Complete, Authoritative Guide for Parents by Russell A. Barkley
The newest of the listed resources, this book covers help on understanding ADHD, parenting a child with ADHD, how parents can help their child deal with life, and the medications that are often used to help those with ADHD. (Kindle edition available.)

For Children

Eagle Eyes: A Child’s Guide to Paying Attention by Jeanne Gehret
During the course of the book, the reader can see the effect that Ben’s ADD has on his family and how he learns to control it better. It includes discussion questions at the end.

Houdini’s Gift by Jeanne Gehret also talks about Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
The story of Ben continues in this book as he works to earn a new pet after losing his hamster. It gives an example of using a reward chart to teach responsibility and readiness.

Free Association, Where My Mind Goes During Science Class by Barbara Esham
The little girl in this story struggles to pay attention instead of thinking about other things. (Kindle edition available.)

Mrs. Gorski, I Think I Have the Wiggle Fidgets by Barbara Esham
“The problem is, I’m not thinking about paying attention when I’m not paying attention. If I was thinking about paying attention when I’m not paying attention, I would definitely pay attention. I want to pay attention but it is just so hard when an exciting idea pops into my head….” (Kindle edition available.)

1.  ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) is now called ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), even if kids are not overtly hyperactive. Whatever their bodies are doing, their brains are either jumping around with hyperactivity or are “hyper-focused” on one activity or line of thought.