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ADHD - Living without Brakes
This concise and highly accessible book contains everything that parents and busy professionals need to know about ADHD. The author describes the spectrum of ADHD, the co-occurring symptoms, and common difficulties that parents face. The rest of the book focuses on solutions, based around four rules. Rule number one is keeping it positive: punishments can change behavior, but only positive approaches can improve attitude. Rule number two is keeping it calm: it's difficult thinking clearly enough to solve problems logically if you are feeling overwhelmed. Rule number three is keeping it organized: this rule relates particularly to the child's school life. Rule number four is to keep doing rules one to three. Finally, Dr. Kutscher discusses the role of medication for treating ADHD. The concluding chapter summarizes the information covered and can also be read as a complete, freestanding text. Useful checklists and further reading recommendations are also included. Realistic and optimistic, this book is the ideal source of information and advice for parents and professionals who are trying to keep up with children who are living without brakes.
192 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2002
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272 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
September 3, 2010
Clear and concise! This book would be best described as the CliffsNotes version of ADHD for Dummies! This is ADHD packed into 130 pages and broken down into a format that anyone can understand.
As a mother of a child with ADHD, even having an extensive medical background, I struggle daily to understand just what is going on in the mind of my child. I've read the medical journals, the psychological summaries, even attended conferences, but still walked away wondering what was TRULY going on in my child's mind. Science is great for explaining WHY this is happening, however it can't explain just WHAT the child is feeling or going through.
I found this book to be fabulous as it not only helped me gain insight into my daughters mind, however it also helped me to help her better understand just what ADHD was beyond, "I don't know why, I just can't help it" (Chapter 7 written for kids).
In addition, as any parent raising a child with ADHD knows, traditional and dare I say "conventional" methods of child rearing often times do not work. All to often when we as parents try to conform our children to our "conventional methods" vs conforming our methods to them, we end up with a child that is now labeled as having a co-morbidity consisting of ADHD and ODD (oppositional defiant disorder); translation: Two labels, one suffering child, and still no answer in sight.
Therefore, I was ecstatic to see that this book not only gave parents that permission to seek out unconventional methods that perhaps they wouldn't have, due to societal pressure and our need to avoid "social stigmas", but it also suggested them. Dr. Kutscher leaves parents with four simple rules to follow, reminding them that children with ADHD respond differently to various methods of discipline.
While we all know ADHD'ers are grossly unorganized, their moods change with the wind, and their activity level I swear changes just as quickly as someone flipping a light switch, I think at times it's still hard for us as parents to break the habit of "My house, My rules" without giving compromise any thought. However, I would urge any parent to take the 4 simple rules challenge. Apply them for a few weeks, and you will be AMAZED at the changes you will see in your child.
Some things I now do differently at home since picking up this book:
- Our lives are now VERY scheduled. From homework time to dinner time, we operate like clockwork. This seems to help my daughter transition from her structured day at school back into our home without any of the all too common outbursts.
- I bought one of those mail bins from Office Max and its hanging in my entryway so when my daughter comes home from school she has a visual reminder to get out her folders from school before she does anything else. Each section is labeled "Take Home", "To be signed", "Homework". Once she files these accordingly she is free to step into the house and I allow her 30 minutes of "free time" so she can have that little break before getting to her homework.
- Homework is now done in 15 minute increments, followed with a 5 minute break, and then repeat. I learned that after about 15 minutes my daughter shuts down and requires a moment to walk away.
- Behavior is now a reward system. Much like any child with ADHD, if my daughter misbehaves and I send her to her room, I'm likely to have slamming doors, foriegn objects may fly, and 2 out of 5 times I may even be on the receiving end of an emotional melt down that includes, "Mom I hate you!". So now I try to stress the positives. When she sits down to complete her homework without being told, offers to help, excuses herself to her room because she feels she's losing her temper, I praise her repeatedly and she receives stickers for her behavior chart (at the end of the month she turns it in for rewards that she set up herself. ex: 5-10 stars Rent a movie, 11-20 stars go get a manicure with mom). When she misbehaves, I still punish her, but I have defintiely learned to keep my voice low and calm which seems to help her as well.
... In summary, I've basically walked away with the knowledge that for my daughter, ADHD is like the tv is on but someone else has the remote and they are constantly changing the channel. With this understanding in hand, I am definitely far more empathetic to her situation, and I am better able to handle the outbursts, mood swings, and those moments where she talks so much and so fast that I eventually begin to feel as though I'm in a Charlie Brown episode and all I'm hearing is, "Muah muah muah...." This is a definite must read if you are a parent dealing with the stress of ADHD.
~ As Dr. Kutcher puts it, these are children being forced to cope with a condition they didn't ask to have.
As a mother of a child with ADHD, even having an extensive medical background, I struggle daily to understand just what is going on in the mind of my child. I've read the medical journals, the psychological summaries, even attended conferences, but still walked away wondering what was TRULY going on in my child's mind. Science is great for explaining WHY this is happening, however it can't explain just WHAT the child is feeling or going through.
I found this book to be fabulous as it not only helped me gain insight into my daughters mind, however it also helped me to help her better understand just what ADHD was beyond, "I don't know why, I just can't help it" (Chapter 7 written for kids).
In addition, as any parent raising a child with ADHD knows, traditional and dare I say "conventional" methods of child rearing often times do not work. All to often when we as parents try to conform our children to our "conventional methods" vs conforming our methods to them, we end up with a child that is now labeled as having a co-morbidity consisting of ADHD and ODD (oppositional defiant disorder); translation: Two labels, one suffering child, and still no answer in sight.
Therefore, I was ecstatic to see that this book not only gave parents that permission to seek out unconventional methods that perhaps they wouldn't have, due to societal pressure and our need to avoid "social stigmas", but it also suggested them. Dr. Kutscher leaves parents with four simple rules to follow, reminding them that children with ADHD respond differently to various methods of discipline.
While we all know ADHD'ers are grossly unorganized, their moods change with the wind, and their activity level I swear changes just as quickly as someone flipping a light switch, I think at times it's still hard for us as parents to break the habit of "My house, My rules" without giving compromise any thought. However, I would urge any parent to take the 4 simple rules challenge. Apply them for a few weeks, and you will be AMAZED at the changes you will see in your child.
Some things I now do differently at home since picking up this book:
- Our lives are now VERY scheduled. From homework time to dinner time, we operate like clockwork. This seems to help my daughter transition from her structured day at school back into our home without any of the all too common outbursts.
- I bought one of those mail bins from Office Max and its hanging in my entryway so when my daughter comes home from school she has a visual reminder to get out her folders from school before she does anything else. Each section is labeled "Take Home", "To be signed", "Homework". Once she files these accordingly she is free to step into the house and I allow her 30 minutes of "free time" so she can have that little break before getting to her homework.
- Homework is now done in 15 minute increments, followed with a 5 minute break, and then repeat. I learned that after about 15 minutes my daughter shuts down and requires a moment to walk away.
- Behavior is now a reward system. Much like any child with ADHD, if my daughter misbehaves and I send her to her room, I'm likely to have slamming doors, foriegn objects may fly, and 2 out of 5 times I may even be on the receiving end of an emotional melt down that includes, "Mom I hate you!". So now I try to stress the positives. When she sits down to complete her homework without being told, offers to help, excuses herself to her room because she feels she's losing her temper, I praise her repeatedly and she receives stickers for her behavior chart (at the end of the month she turns it in for rewards that she set up herself. ex: 5-10 stars Rent a movie, 11-20 stars go get a manicure with mom). When she misbehaves, I still punish her, but I have defintiely learned to keep my voice low and calm which seems to help her as well.
... In summary, I've basically walked away with the knowledge that for my daughter, ADHD is like the tv is on but someone else has the remote and they are constantly changing the channel. With this understanding in hand, I am definitely far more empathetic to her situation, and I am better able to handle the outbursts, mood swings, and those moments where she talks so much and so fast that I eventually begin to feel as though I'm in a Charlie Brown episode and all I'm hearing is, "Muah muah muah...." This is a definite must read if you are a parent dealing with the stress of ADHD.
~ As Dr. Kutcher puts it, these are children being forced to cope with a condition they didn't ask to have.
February 28, 2012
This is a good book if you want a bit of perspective on ADHD. It is written by a doctor whose specialty is ADHD and attempts to break down the causes, symptoms, treatments and medications in under 200 pages. If you have a child with ADHD, it is always better to have a short book to get through!!!
September 24, 2012
This book was recommended to me by my sister. It's the first ADHD book I have read because I've recently been diagnosed with ADHD. While this is written for parents, it gave me HUGE insight into the workings of my brain. Kutscher discusses the other conditions that may be associated and/or confused with ADHD.
This is written by a Pediatric Neurologist who lends his expertise and also condensed a plethora of research into a concise format (the book is short)--especially helpful for ADHDers. I understand myself so much better as a result of this book!
This is written by a Pediatric Neurologist who lends his expertise and also condensed a plethora of research into a concise format (the book is short)--especially helpful for ADHDers. I understand myself so much better as a result of this book!
February 6, 2013
This book was an Amazing read and highly effective for the daily interaction with my daughter. I would HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone dealing with a child who has ADHD, it truly has changed my life as a parent:)!!
November 24, 2024
library genesis
March 9, 2020
Short but good overview of ADHD and possible strategies for dealing with it.
Highly recommended for parents of children with ADHD.
Highly recommended for parents of children with ADHD.
April 8, 2022
Bra och lättläst bok om ADHD, det finns till och med ett eget kapitel som är en kort sammanfattning av boken om man inte vill läsa hela. Konkreta förslag för både hem och skola samt mycket som beskriver perspektivet för den som har ADHD. Slutsatsen är att man kommer långt med att behålla lugnet och ha ett positivt förhållningssätt. Tyvärr är den version jag läst inte helt aktuell eftersom den skrevs för ett bra tag sedan och skulle behöva en uppdatering, därav bara tre stjärnor.
January 15, 2023
This book is simple and concise. I’ve read it twice since my son’s diagnosis and always come away with some insight that I’d forgotten about since my last complete reading or perusal. I’ve also read the condensed version at the end of the book multiple times as a refresher.
It’s well organized and gives plenty of information for the reader to understand, as well as references to more in-depth sources if the reader chooses.
It’s well organized and gives plenty of information for the reader to understand, as well as references to more in-depth sources if the reader chooses.
December 9, 2017
A very helpful book, with a good summary chapter for anyone who doesn't find reading easy and also a chapter specifically for the ADHD child. Only real complaint is that the references to disability discrimination laws and diagnostic process are American - seeing as I got the British edition I had hoped for a British frame of reference. Still great for giving perspective and coping strategies.
August 22, 2020
Super quick read that was engaging and funny at times. Has given me a reset in dealing with my own ADHD child. Points out the positives of ADHD but also that it is really a disability. ADHD kids live in the moment. There is really no past and no future (no hindsight and no foresight). It is their curse.
May 22, 2024
This was sitting in the nonfiction section of my public library’s book sale fundraiser. It was the last day of last year’s sale, and it was perfect timing going into some family vacations. Several bullet point stylings are especially helpful for facilitating elements of discussion or an area of attention.
November 26, 2020
Vahva, kompaktne ja parasjagu (enese)irooniline raamat. Kokkuvõte osutus minu arvates liiga palju juba kõige eelpoolöeldu lihtsalt ümberkirjutuseks, aga sellest hoolimata heade õppetundidega kirjutis.
September 3, 2018
Not as many solutions as I would have hoped. it focuses on children in middle and high school, but has no solutions nor advice for preschoolers or primary school children who suffer from ADHD.
January 15, 2021
Behoorlijk wat open deuren en herhaling. Desalnietemin een aardig boek.
March 2, 2021
Very educational
Read
April 29, 2022The most concise and helpful of any of the ones I’ve read so far.
June 27, 2023
Ignore the TERRIBLE cover art. Nearly every pediatric therapist or pediatrician has recommended this book. There's even a 30-page summary in the back for the quick overview. It's solid, not fluffy.
August 5, 2024
Other than a few blatant sexist comments, I found this to be pretty helpful. Great perspective
January 27, 2025
A little dated but good.
January 16, 2026
Read for a book report assignment in my Structured Literacy Intervention Specialist training course as ADHD and dyslexia often go together.
January 8, 2011
This was a good and quick summary of the various issues related to ADHD, including a good explanation of the overall executive function issues. It also had some good recommendations for parenting a child with ADHD and how to tackle some of the common struggles.
January 29, 2017
Fantastyczna książka - elementarz i niezbędnik dla rodziców i nauczycieli - polecam. Prosto i przystępnie wyjaśniono jakie są podłoża ADHD, jak rozpoznać to zaburzenie i jak pracować z dzieckiem. Książka konieczna w biblioteczce, jeśli ma się kontakt z dziećmi z ADHD.
February 6, 2010
Quick, easy, and informative read. Very sympathetic to those with ADHD and a helpful resource for those of us trying to understand what makes them tick.
January 13, 2011
Very informative about how the brain works.... but also very based on an older child being diagnosed after behavioral issues have arisen.... still a good rescource though...
January 17, 2014
Great book for parents with a kid with ADHD
April 29, 2017
Lots of good information and advice about ADHD.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews