Review of Navigating ADHD
- Pablo Josue Mendia
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Review of Navigating ADHD
Navigating ADHD: A Parent’s Guide to Cultivating Strength, Resilience, and Connection by Emily Lawson is a thorough book for parents raising children (or teenagers) with ADHD.
Lawson starts by addressing eight common myths about ADHD and contrasting them with scientific insights to educate us. She also explains that ADHD is a biological condition affecting millions of children, young adults, and adults. In addition, she emphasizes that ADHD is not a result of poor parenting or laziness. Lawson introduces the concept of “neurodiversity” to show that ADHD is a unique way of experiencing life, with strengths like creativity.
Lawson also outlines parenting strategies for children with ADHD. She encourages positive reinforcement (and routines with structure and visual aids) to create supportive home and school environments. For example, establishing daily schedules and collaborating with teachers may reduce the stress and anxiety of one’s child or teenager. Lawson also encourages open communication and empathy, motivating parents to acknowledge their child’s emotions and involve them in problem-solving. This parental involvement allows children to gain self-esteem and become more independent.
Moreover, Lawson shows the educational and social challenges faced by children with ADHD. For example, she provides a detailed guide on navigating the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process, offering steps to ensure that children receive the proper support. She advises parents to build positive relationships with educators and healthcare professionals and to advocate for their child’s needs. Lawson also suggests activities that help children with ADHD develop social skills and build friendships. She provides strategies for managing common triggers, like creating a sensory-friendly environment and maintaining predictable environments for children when possible.
Lawson also introduces stress management techniques to help both children and parents cope with the daily challenges of ADHD. She outlines the benefits of mindfulness, such as improved attention and self-regulation. The book also covers dietary and lifestyle changes that can help a child’s ADHD symptoms. The book also discusses resources for community support and staying informed about the latest ADHD research and treatments.
I liked that Lawson included interactive elements such as quizzes and worksheets, making the book a practical tool for parents. I also liked that she included many resources for anyone who wants to learn more about ADHD, like podcasts like “Hacking your ADHD.” One possible drawback, however, may be that the book contained some (but not enough) examples of how different children may experience ADHD. Despite a lack of personal examples, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it to all parents who have children with ADHD or readers who would like to learn more about ADHD in general.
Overall, the book is well-edited and only contains a few grammatical errors. I rate it 5 out of 5 stars.
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Navigating ADHD
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