Parenting Children with ADHD: 10 Lessons that Medicine Cannot Teach

Vincent J. Monastra, Ph.D. 2005. (APA LifeTools). Washington, D. C., American Psychological Association. $14.95. ISBN: 978-1-59147-182-0. 263 pages. Paperback only.

Vincent J. Monastra, Ph.D., the book's author, is an internationally recognized clinical psychologist specializing in the neurophysiological characteristics of children with ADHD. He is the founder and director of the Fpi Attention Deficit Disorders Clinic in Endicott, New York, and frequently lectures and conducts workshops at scientific conferences across Canada and the United States on the topic of ADHD and children.

This well-organized, clearly written, easily understood book leaves few unanswered questions for parents of ADHD children, as well as the clinicians who treat ADHD children or anyone interested in gaining a better understanding of ADHD. The book's primary purpose is to help parents learn ways to improve their child's success and is based on Monastra's research and treatment of thousands of patients with ADHD.

As the title suggests, the book consists of ten lessons or chapters (plus a concluding chapter, references and index) which explains his comprehensive treatment approach including parents, diet, physician/ medical, school district and teacher, psychologist and biofeedback. Each chapter addresses a specific aspect of ADHD although help for parents weaves itself through the entire book. In the first chapters, Monastra discusses the five criteria that must be present to correctly diagnose ADHD; and clarifies that ADHD is a genetic, medical and psychiatric problem that is primarily associated with excessive inactivity of the frontal lobes of the brain.

He provides parents with a check sheet, "What I'd Like My Child to Learn: Dr. Monastra's Top 40" which contains such items as, "wake up in the morning without battling me," and "remember to bring home books and materials needed for homework." He asks parents to establish a non-aggression pact with their child for all interactions and to select six or eight of the check sheet items on which to focus. Monastra discusses the importance of parents establishing a plan and offers unique methods and techniques to aid parents in disciplining and getting their ADHD child to complete tasks.

A chapter is devoted to the various medications used in treating ADHD, and another discusses nutrition and the importance of protein in the diet. A later chapter examines the role of the school corporation and classroom teacher in the treatment plan, and includes an assessment checklist for teachers and a sample letter to request a school corporation's ADHD evaluation. In the remaining portion of the book, Monastra offers parents detailed nonconfrontational ways to put out emotional fires and teach their ADHD child problem solving skills. In the final chapter, he describes areas where parenting efforts commonly get bogged down and provides helpful suggestions based on his years of clinical experience.

The importance of this book is demonstrated by its being part of the APA LifeTools selections; its popularity by being in its eighth printing. The book's only drawbacks are its 2005 copyright date and its dated references. Most references are from the 1990s and the latest is from 2004. Advances in neurophysiology and pharmacology over the past nine years suggest a new edition would provide useful updated information. Do not, however, let these issues keep you from purchasing the current edition; the benefits strongly outweigh the negatives.

Reviewed by Rebecca A. Adams, Ph.D., CFLE, Assistance Professor Emerita, Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, Ball State University.