Will My Kid Grow Out of It? A Child Psychologist’s Guide to Understanding Worrisome Behavior

Neuropsychologist Forrest draws on her expertise as a clinician in this detailed but awkwardly structured guide aimed at enabling parents to identify issues with their children—whether social, cognitive, or developmental—that require professional help. Part one covers early intervention, providing direction for parents who aren’t sure whether their kids’ “differences” amount to more than just a phase. Part two, which makes up the bulk of the book, addresses common concerns, possible diagnoses, and treatment options. Individual chapters are devoted to such topics as infant mental health, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, OCD, and suicide. In part three, parents will find advice for navigating the often-confusing options available for help. Throughout, Forrest provides numerous case studies drawn from her own practice. Though she also places important data in three appendices—e.g., a year-by-year guide to brain development, with a checklist—this information might have been more accessible if it were integrated into the book. Despite Forrest’s laudable intentions, this combination clinical overview/parenting book does not make a significant addition to an already-crowded market. [em]Agent: Jill Marsal, Marsal Lyon Literary Agency LLC. (Oct.) [/em]