12 Principles for Raising a Child with ADHD

Clinical psychologist Barkley successfully distills the most practical material from his comprehensive parenting manual, Taking Charge of ADHD, into a concise and accessible guide. Devoting a chapter to each of 12 “principles,” he begins by laying out his position that ADHD is a biological disorder, not the willful “behavior problem” educators and fellow mental-health professionals sometimes treat it as. Barkley further explains that children who have the disorder struggle with executive function in general, as well as impulsivity. He encourages parents to work with their children to develop a deeper sense of time beyond the present (in the chapter “Make Time Real”) and a greater awareness of the consequences of their actions (in “Promote Your Child’s Self-Awareness and Accountability”), but first and foremost to “Use the Keys to Success” by having one’s child professionally diagnosed, identifying his or her particular strengths and talents, finding resources to develop these abilities, and accepting and supporting one’s child unconditionally. Barkley also recommends letting go of less important demands, such as household chores, and, for the sake of one’s own well-being, cultivating mindfulness and forgiveness. Parents in Barkley’s target audience should find his guide to be a valuable and reassuring go-to. (Oct.)