I must admit, when I started reading this book, What Your ADHD Child Wishes You Knew by Dr. Sharon Saline, I really did not have a good understanding of what ADHD is. I almost hate to say this, but my image of an ADHD child was someone that ran around the room nonstop, screaming.
What's Inside?
Call my image of it ignorant and you’d probably be correct. I’m ashamed that in all my years, I really didn’t have a better understanding. Dr. Sharon Saline did an excellent job of shedding light on what ADHD is and how to better help those who struggle with this condition.
Something I noticed throughout the book was that many of the concepts she teaches also help those dealing with difficult moments in life or trauma. While these are two different subjects, I noticed that there were many similarities in treatment approaches with people.
Maybe those with ADHD have something that we can all learn from them, which will help the world at large. I don’t mean to discount what they go through, but it was eye-opening seeing this throughout the examples and stories she shared in the book.
Dr. Sharon Saline’s Five C’s
I love her Five C’s – Self-Control, Compassion, Collaboration, Consistency, and Celebration. They make perfect sense to me and from the way she describes it, I can see where it is very helpful for all involved.
One of the things that caught my attention about helping kids with ADHD is how it is a team approach. It isn’t just one person trying to help them or work with them. It is an effort by many, each one playing a key role in their area of expertise. If all the parts are working together, it is so much better for the child.
I especially enjoyed the part where it stated how some books talk about teaching you how to discipline. In the case of a child with ADHD (and dare I say any child), you instead become an ally helping to create lasting changes longed for by you and your child. It says to me that you respect and care for your child, rather than just trying to force them into your will.
One of the things that I have seen first hand is how people who have been traumatized in life struggle with the development of the prefrontal cortex. In Dr. Sharon Saline book, she talks about how adults are more able to re-establish self-control than a child or teen whose prefrontal cortex is still maturing. Adults want children to function in the same capacity that they can, without understanding that their brain is still maturing.
Kids With ADHD
Some facts I did not know include the following (as stated in her book).
- Learning disabilities occur quite commonly in kids with ADHD (anywhere between 45% to 71%).
- Dyslexia occurs in 33% to 45% of kids with ADHD.
- Math challenges have been found to occur in 20% to 30% of children and teens with ADHD.
- Writing is the most frequent learning difference for ADHD kids.
- ADHD kids deal with mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, or disruptive behavior.
- Research shows that untreated mood issues raise the risk for substance abuse among ADHD teens.
Last but not least, I absolutely adore her statement about when parents remember what you love about your son or daughter with ADHD, it’s easier to see challenging behaviors as signs of frustration instead of personal weakness. All our kids deserve to be loved in the best way that helps them grow and mature. Adults play a key role in this, and Dr. Sharon Saline has helped make this more a reality through her book.
COMMENTS
Good write up. I wish this type of information were out what I was a kid. Life would have been a lot easier growing up!
Thank you, Topher, glad you liked the writeup and I know reading the book taught me a lot. Too many times I think we have the “prevailing wisdom” in the common news sources, but not a lot of real-world practical stuff. I try to read things like this so I can better understand areas that I’m definitely not an expert in.