Understanding My Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Paperback – October 28, 2008

I have never returned a book. If it's a "miss," I usually see the value in donating it to the library or Goodwill. This one, however, is going back. The story begins by introducing us to a boy who is sitting in a toy store while his mother and sister shop for a new toy for his sister! He has been sad since Kindergarten because nobody likes him anymore. Then the store owner approaches the boy and tells him about his own childhood because he, too, was ALWAYS in trouble. Magically, the little boy doesn't feel as sad after hearing the store owner's story and he goes to the playground. The book (pamphlet) states that its purpose is to "bring awareness and understanding," and I see neither being offered. The illustrations are pretty awful and the story is simply lacking. I'm glad that I purchased other books for my daughter to read about her ADHD.

We had high hopes for this book. We are begining to talk to our son about his ADHD diagnosis and had hoped this book could provide us with common vocabulary we could use as well as pointers for him. It was more about bullying and not helpful.

As a clinical psychologist who works with ADHD clients, I have found this book an excellent primer for parents and their kids, especially those who have been newly diagnosed with this condition. The book skillfully brings awareness of the many traits of ADHD all the while painting a picture of hope that this is a highly treatable condition. I highly recommend this book to my clients and to anyone who might be facing this specific challenge.

I loved this book! The poignant story is narrated in a refreshingly simple style. My four year old was able to understand this book easily. A great instrument to introduce your kids to a better understanding of ADHD.

I found this book disappointing but maybe my expectations of it were incorrect. This short story's approach is to first state Tommy's problem behaviours and difficulties (rather wordily and negatively - i.e predominantly from an outer problematic behavioural presentation point of view rather than sufficiently from the kid's inner experience or perspective); and to then describe the little boy's chance encounter & conversation with a male shopkeeper. The shopkeeper shares with Tommy that he too had the same problems as a child and that he needed professional help; and that help is available.Overall i feel the book presents negatively; in particular, there is way too little suggestion of the value, possible strengths or the true experience of the child himself. To me, the energy in the book's message was 'you have a big problem, don't you? and you need help and to really work on it'.