Putting on the Brakes: Understanding and Taking Control of Your Add or ADHD
Once/Now/Then/After Series
on Goodreads (153)
What’s inside...
Completely updated and expanded, Putting on the Brakes, 3rd Edition continues to be the go-to resource for kids with AD/HD. This essential guide - celebrating its 20th year in print - is loaded with practical ways to improve organization, focus, attention, time management, and scheduling, as well as studying and homework skills. Importantly, kids will also find strategies for making friends, controlling emotions, and being healthy. Putting on the Brakes gives kids with AD/HD the tools they need for success in and out of school and a plan to manage all types of attention disorders. From the Introduction to the 3rd Edition: Many things have changed over the last 20 years. Magination Press (an imprint of the American Psychological Association) acquired the title and through the years encouraged us to keep the book up-to-date as AD/HD developed into a better-understood disorder. Other things have changed as well, particularly with respect to the diagnosis and treatment of AD/HD. More children than ever are being diagnosed. The last Centers for Disease Control report from 2007 indicates that, according to their parents, 9.5 percent of all children have had an AD/HD diagnosis. That represents approximately 5.4 million children. Newer long-acting medications (both stimulants and non-stimulants) are now available to treat AD/HD. Teachers are better trained to recognize the impact of AD/HD on children in the classroom and to provide effective intervention. Counselors and therapists who treat children with AD/HD are able to provide important services to them and their parents. Coaching and other cognitive-behavioral therapies have been introduced as treatments for AD/HD. However, as we think back through all this, we realize that much remains the same. Kids still need to learn about their AD/HD, how it affects them, and what they can do to take control of their symptoms, emotions, and academic performance to ensure success. Kids need straightforward explanations and reassurance that AD/HD can be managed. Kids need to know that they are not alone. Kids with AD/HD are the reason we wrote this book in the first place and they continue to motivate us to share what we have learned over the past 20 years. It is with great pride that we welcome you to this new '20th anniversary' edition of Putting on the Brakes.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
8-13
Length
112 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you feel when you find it hard to concentrate or sit still?
Can you tell me about a time when you used one of the strategies from the book to help you focus?
What are some ways we can create a better environment for you to concentrate at home or school?
Which character in the book did you relate to the most and why?
How can we work together to help manage your feelings when you’re feeling overwhelmed or distracted?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings and experiences openly without judgment. Use examples from the book to discuss how characters handle similar situations, making the conversation relatable. Validate their feelings and praise their efforts to implement strategies. Co-read the book with your child to make it a shared experience, pausing to discuss concepts and personal connections. Offer to brainstorm together on new strategies they could try, emphasizing teamwork and support.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Self-awareness of one’s condition
Explanation: This book educates children about ADD or ADHD, helping them understand the symptoms and characteristics of the condition.
Real-World Application: Children with ADD or ADHD can recognize their own behaviors and understand that these are a part of a diagnosed condition, leading to better self-management and communication with others.
Example Lesson: Techniques for managing symptoms
Explanation: The book offers various strategies and tools, like setting routines or breaking tasks into smaller steps, to help control and cope with the disruptive aspects of ADD or ADHD.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply these strategies in school or at home to improve concentration, organization, and overall task completion.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding from others
Explanation: Through its thorough explanation of ADD and ADHD, the book also targets readers who do not have the condition, cultivating a sense of empathy and understanding.
Real-World Application: This can lead to more supportive relationships and environments, as peers and adults better understand the challenges faced by those with ADD or ADHD.
Example Lesson: Building self-confidence
Explanation: By mastering strategies to manage their symptoms, children can experience successes and improvements in school and daily activities.
Real-World Application: As children see their own progress, their self-esteem can be bolstered, encouraging a more positive self-view and resilience.