ADHD books for parents can provide information and guidance when parenting becomes challenging. We all need a little help sometimes.
Many parents know that raising children presents many challenges. Children with ADHD often present different challenges and struggles for parents. Sometimes, parents with children with ADHD just don’t know where to turn to for help.
To be honest, there are so many voices out there that it can be difficult to sort through all the noise for something that can actually help. Here at FastBraiin, we want to help provide quality resources so that you know where to begin. We know that everyone can’t be an ADHD expert, but yet everyone can have some tools to turn to when they need them.
While the internet provides many great resources for parents, we would also recommend seeking out books and other resources as well. In this post, we want to provide some ideas for ADHD books for parents as other resources to turn to.
ADHD Books by Healthcare Professionals
As we’ve already noted, we can’t all be experts in treating and managing ADHD. Fortunately, though, we don’t have to be because we can rely on the experiences and expertise of others to guide us.
A great starting point when looking for ADHD books for parents can be in looking at books written by healthcare professionals. Many doctors and counselors have numerous years’ experience in managing and treating ADHD symptoms. Some of these professionals have even helped define our understanding of ADHD and how to effectively manage ADHD symptoms.
Books to Check Out
In researching ADHD books for parents by healthcare professionals, we recommend you consider looking into the following:
- Talking Charge of ADHD: The Complete, Authoritative Guide for Parents by Dr. Russell A. Barkley, Ph.D. Guilford Press published the third edition of this great resource for parents in 2013. Dr. Barkley serves as a professor and researcher at the Medical University of South Carolina, where he has worked for numerous years with ADHD patients. His book provides a great resource for parents looking to understand more about their child’s symptoms, behaviors, and how to effectively manage those behaviors. More information about Dr. Barkley and his research and books can be found at his website: http://www.russellbarkley.org/index.html
- Superparenting for ADD: An Innovative Approach to Raising Your Distracted Child by Dr. Edward M. Hallowell, M.D., and Dr. Peter S. Jensen, M.D. Dr. Hallowell and Dr. Jensen join together to bring a fresh look at ADD and parenting. They spend most of their efforts focusing on the positives and gifts of ADD and how parents can bring out the best in their children. Both Hallowell and Jensen have many years’ experience working with children and specifically children with ADD and ADHD. They provide invaluable insights that can benefit any parent. More information on Dr. Hallowell and this book can be found on his website: http://www.drhallowell.com/books/superparenting-for-add-an-innovative-approach-to-raising-your-distracted-child/
ADHD Books by Other Parents with ADHD Children
Unfortunately, many parents with ADHD children feel very isolated in their communities. Oftentimes, parents of ADHD children feel like no one else shares their struggles. Parents need to know, though, that others have gone before them and have similar experiences as they do.
While you need to have books by healthcare professionals as part of your collection of ADHD books for parents, you also need books by other parents. Reading the tried and true insights of other parents struggling with ADHD behaviors in their children can provide a source of encouragement and camaraderie.
Books to Check Out
We would recommend you read a few books by other parents to help you know both that you are not alone and that others' experiences can help speak into your situation. A few books that might be helpful include the following:
- Boy Without Instructions: Surviving the Learning Curve of Parenting a Child with ADHD by Penny Williams. Penny Williams does not have a Ph.D. or M.D. What she does have, though, is plenty of experience raising her own son with ADHD. Penny provides a genuine and heartfelt look at parenting a child with ADHD as she takes the reader through some of her failures and successes in figuring out how to raise her son. You can find out more about Penny Williams and her writings at her website: http://adhdmomma.com/author/adhdmomma
- Raising Boys with ADHD: Secrets for Parenting Healthy, Happy Sons by Mary Anne Richey, M.S., and James Forgan, PhD. This book is unique on our list because it could really fit into either category. Both Richey and Forgan practice as licensed psychologists in Florida. Additionally, both of them have direct experience parenting a child with ADHD as they both have sons with ADHD. This book can be an invaluable resource to many parents looking for a good balance between the professional approach and personal relatable experience. You can find more information about this book and the authors on the publisher’s website: http://www.prufrock.com/Raising-Boys-With-ADHD-Secrets-for-Parenting-Healthy-Happy-Sons-P1356.aspx
Find Help in ADHD Books for Parents
Raising a child with ADHD can take a lot of patience, energy, and knowledge. Many times as just one person, you as the parent, can feel overwhelmed and at a loss. Fortunately, you don’t have to feel that way as there exist many resources to help provide you the tools you need to address ADHD in your child.
We hope this brief article gave you some insights into identifying resources with different ADHD books for parents. It is recommended that you look into some of the books mentioned here as well as explore other resources in talking with your child’s doctor, counselor, or teacher.
We firmly believe that effective ADHD management involves utilizing an ADHD comprehensive treatment plan. Part of being comprehensive involves using as many resources as possible and involving all levels of your child’s life. Be sure to include some great books in your comprehensive ADHD toolkit as well.