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Their ADHD Doesn’t Have To Limit Them
Andrew’s Awesome Adventures with His ADHD Brain provides insights into ADHD behaviors and provides pragmatic strategies for children with the inattentive subtype of ADHD. Why was this an important book for you to write?
My son does not fit the stereotypical profile of a boy with ADHD since he is not hyperactive and impulsive. Inattentive-type ADHD is under- and misdiagnosed in boys due to the absence of hyperactive behaviors; these children are often labelled as lazy or apathetic. The current literature is lacking in resources for children, parents and teachers on boys diagnosed with the inattentive subtype of ADHD.
What is a common misconception you feel people have about children with ADHD?
That they are all hyperactive and impulsive; that they are not smart because they cannot keep up with school assignments, or get failing grades; that their behavior is deliberate and they can just change it, if they put in the effort.
What is one piece of advice you would give to someone who is struggling with ADHD?
Realize what your special talents are and strengthen those. Kids and adults with ADHD are creative, great problem-solvers, and fearless.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your book?
To realize that their ADHD doesn’t have to limit them, but instead they can have limitless possibilities.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
How do you survive life and middle school with an ADHD elephant in your brain? Kids with ADHD will relate to Andrew’s reactions to everyday and school-related situations, like remembering to turn in homework, staying organized, and making friends. Using practical strategies Andrew learns to manage his ADHD even when his brain sometimes feels “like and overstuffed garbage can, the lid won’t stay on and garbage is falling out all over the floor”. He even realizes there is a positive side to having ADHD like creativity, fearlessness and hyperfocus.
Dr. Wilcox’s unique perspective as both a mother and a researcher allow her to discuss, parent to parent, the science behind ADHD from someone living in the trenches, learning to work with Andrew’s ADHD brain. Kristin discusses the significance of various aspects of ADHD and the theory and practices of the education and medical professions related to them, distinguishing inattentive-type ADHD from other subtypes. Two helpful appendices include a means for parents to “diagnose” the inattentive subtype of ADHD and a list of resources for parents and children with ADHD.
This book provides unique insights into ADHD behaviors and suggests highly pragmatic and successfully implemented strategies for children with the inattentive subtype of ADHD and their parents (with implications for educators and others who work with children with ADHD). A must read for kids with ADHD and their parents!
Andrew’s Awesome Adventures with His ADHD Brain
Children with ADHD fight battles most of us will never understand. Each day finds them experiencing a constant barrage of thoughts, all competing to find their way to the forefront. Parents and teachers alike can benefit from truly listening to a child’s account of an average day living with ADHD, especially Inattentive Subtype. The Inattentive Subtype of ADHD is a prevalent but often not recognized. Andrew is a child living with ADHD, and his journal-style account of his life is the focus of his mother’s book. Kristin M. Wilcox’s book describes both the child’s and the parent’s experience with this incredibly challenging disorder.
Andrew’s Awesome Adventures with His ADHD Brain is a unique account of a family’s understanding of the disorder that is a part of their day-to-day lives. Wilcox artfully divides the book into two main parts–one from her son’s perspective and one from her own. She has handed parents and teachers a thorough look at what a child hears each day as he tries to focus and time and time again loses sight of the last thought he had as easily as he breathes.
I more than appreciated Andrew’s perspective. As a teacher, I have seen many students over the years fighting their own inner battles. Only those who live with ADHD know the inner banter, and Andrew’s very thorough commentary allows readers to gain a true understanding of the chaos that can ensue and the emotional toll ADHD can take on the entire family. This is a must-read for any parent of a child with ADHD.
Wilcox manages to give readers a guide that is not only informative but simple to read. There is nothing worse than actively seeking information on a topic only to find the resources dry, boring, and incredibly difficult to understand. Wilcox bypasses all of those issues and hands readers valuable information on one of the least understood types of ADHD. I found the Wilcox family’s story to be immensely helpful in the elementary classroom. Wilcox’s appendices are a wonderful resource for families and educators. This easy-to-follow list of questions and answers regarding symptoms and signs is especially beneficial to families and educators.
I highly recommend Andrew’s Awesome Adventures with His ADHD Brain to any parent who has a child dealing with the symptoms of ADHD. Schools would benefit greatly by adding this to their teachers’ resource rooms or to their recommended reading lists. This is the book families and teachers have needed for decades.
Pages: 114 | ISBN: 195735402X
LITERARY TITAN 