Helping Children with ADHD - by Susan Young & Jade Smith (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Combining the latest research evidence with the authors' practical expertise, Helping Children with ADHD offers a complete intervention programme for flexibly delivering behavioural and cognitive interventions to children aged 6-12 with ADHD and associated conditions.

• Redefines and develops best practice in the application of cognitive and behavioural techniques to help children aged 6-12 with ADHD and associated comorbid conditions, including learning difficulties
• Offers a range of engaging resources within a pragmatic and practically-focused approach; modular structure allows the interventions to be selected and tailored according to the particular age, ability and needs of the individual child
• An appendix of entertaining stories about Buzz, a boy with ADHD, provides structural narrative while also teaching core skills in areas such as keeping calm, planning, managing impulsivity and dealing with anxiety
• Straightforward, accessible language allows the techniques to be used by those without expert clinical training; dedicated sections provide advice for using the approach in school, home and group contexts
• A companion website provides downloadable materials including illustrated patient worksheets to accompany the narrative stories

From the Back Cover

There is very little published guidance on how best to effectively deliver CBT in order to help children with ADHD understand and manage the challenges they face. Addressing this need for an authoritative way forward, Helping Children with ADHD offers a complete intervention programme for healthcare professionals and parents, allowing them to flexibly deliver behavioural and cognitive interventions to children aged 6-12 with ADHD.

The focus throughout is on practical techniques to address symptoms, problem behaviours and emotional difficulties. Consistent with the abilities of young children and the evidence base for ADHD, the primary emphasis is on behavioural and environmental interventions, although cognitive interventions are also included as appropriate. A modular format allows treatment to be tailored to the needs of the individual child, and the information for expert practitioners is supplemented by straightforward guidance for teachers and parents on how to extend the techniques into the classroom and home. Engagement is ensured through the adventures of a young boy called Buzz; core concepts and skills are discussed through the eyes of Buzz, providing a narrative for children to understand techniques that they can subsequently apply themselves.

Review Quotes

"This book is recommended to all professionals wanting to increase their skills in working with children affected by ADHD. It presents a detailed and practical scheme based on cognitive-behavioural therapy, with well-worked-out sessions and advice. Teachers and clinicians will find good ideas for promoting resilience and overcoming disability." -- Professor Eric Taylor, Retired Head of the Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Department, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, UK

"Finally a comprehensive resource applying research proven principles to address the myriad of co-occurring problems children with ADHD frequently experience. Drs. Young and Smith are to be commended for providing clinicians with this thorough guide filled with practical ideas and strategies for the novice and experienced clinician." -- Sam Goldstein, Ph.D., Editor in Chief, Journal of Attention Disorders, University of Utah School of Medicine

"This is a valuable resource for parents, carers and school staff, and fills an important gap in the in the support available for children diagnosed with ADHD. Most important of all, it addresses the criticism often levelled at current services, in that it places the child at the heart of the treatment process, and helps them to understand how best to minimise the difficulties that they may face at home and in school, and how best to make the most of their potential. The programme will help increase skills, planning, organisation, and personal resilience, and so lead to more positive outcomes for this vulnerable population." -- Bill Colley, Educational Consultant, The UK ADHD Partnership, London, UK

"Drs. Young and Smith's CBT Guide to working therapeutically with children is a must have for any CBT therapist or children's counsellor who is involved in supporting young people with ADHD. Providing clear and effective strategies that offer the child a framework to learn how to understand and live successfully with ADHD, this guide is long overdue." -- Dr. Tony Lloyd, CEO, ADHD Foundation

About the Author

Susan Young is a clinical academic working at the Centre for Mental Health, Imperial College London, UK, and Visiting Professor at Reykjavik University, Iceland. She was previously employed as a Clinical Neuropsychologist at the Maudsley Hospital, where she set up and developed the psychology service at the first adult ADHD service in the UK. She is the author of over 100 publications in peer reviewed journals, four books and three manualised CBT programmes that are in use internationally; numerous chapters, and the ADHD Child Evaluation [ACE].

Jade Smith is a Cinical Psychologist who has worked in a range of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Neurodevelopmental and Paediatric Services providing assessment and treatment for young people with complex neurodevelopmental disorders and associated emotional, behavioural and mental health needs. She designed and implemented an ADHD pathway as well as contributing to ADHD assessments in National & Specialist children's Services in London. She currently works with children with learning disabilities and long term conditions.