Favorite books and/or resources about ADD?

[Upptacka]

While not formally diagnosed, I strongly suspect my 8 year old daughter has ADD. I was reading an article about some typical signs of ADD, and it was a lightbulb moment for me. After some more reading/research, I am fairly convinced she has at least some degree of ADD.

 

I want to better understand ADD, and learn about ways I can help her thrive.

 

Are there any books you have found helpful and/or would recommend? In particular, we could use some help with emotional intelligence and executive function impairment.

 

Thank you!

[PeterPan]

www.socialthinking.com is the place to go for the emotional regulation, social skills, noticing how other people feel, etc.  They have terrific materials, workshops, etc.  

 

For the EF, that's a big topic.  Technically the noticing of the social, noticing non-verbal, noticing things is part of EF.  Emotional regulation is part of EF.  We usually talk about secretary type skills (working memory, sequencing, organizing your writing, etc.), but it's pretty broad.  So I guess it depends on how broad you need to go.  Honestly, it seems like each book I've read is complementary, if that makes sense.  So for instance the Linguisystems workbooks for EF are pretty good for some of the secretary type skills, and then Zones of Reg is going to go more at emotional regulation.  I read a whole book on EF aimed at speech therapists but it was uber in the weeds.  The Source for Development of Executive Functions  I think that's the one I read. 

 

If you go to amazon (or google search the boards), we've had some really good ADHD book lists in the past.  Amazon.com: executive function linguisystems  Anything by Holloway is good.  Steve Green's The Explosive Child, Jeffrey Freed's Right-Brained Chidlren in a Left-Brained World, also No Mind Left Behind, Dyslexic Advantage, Bright Not Broken...  Basically go through the library, lol.  

 

Heathermomster has posted instructions for metronome work at home.  With metronome work you're connecting sides of the brain with the bilateral motions, tapping EF (because of the beat), and improving motor planning, ability to handle distractions, etc.  As my dd got better, I also brought in digit spans to work on working memory.  With my ds I've been trying to do some math skip counting to see if I could get those two sides of the brain to connect.  

 

I think if I were looking back at myself when my dd was 8, I would tell myself to get the evals and not wait.  We waited, and it turned out she had very low processing speed as part of the problem.  It gave us MUCH grief.  We got a lot of improvement with VT (vision therapy), and I should have gotten an OT eval years earlier.  I would tell myself to increase STRUCTURE.  I would console myself that I was doing the RIGHT THING by being interest-driven and feeding her passions.  I would play more.  Only late did we realize that we should play games and call it school, do puzzles and call it school, etc.  I would have bought more toys and sat with her and played with them more, just imaginative play.  Make stories with her toys and do little videos on the ipad.  That kind of thing.  I would tell me past self not to drop things she's good at to make time for things she's less good at, no matter what people say.  

 

You're doing a good job starting now, identifying it now.  Have you considered a psych eval?

[nature girl]

OhE has some great suggestions. And yes, I'd highly recommend you get a neuropsych eval, because most people with ADD/ADHD have comorbid issues. Almost all ADHD kids have working memory problems, and you'll want to find out how extensive hers are so you can know whether to work on them specifically.

 

Elizabeth recommended SocialThinking.com, I think your DD is the perfect age for the Superflex books, to help work on emotional regulation and social skills. The Glassman book was especially fantastic, we now talk about Glassman all the time when emotions get out of control. We're also working on mindfulness, and I think it's helping my DD to realize when she's starting to lose it. Not soon enough now that she can actually calm the emotions in time, but I think she'll get there, we've really come a long way.

 

Smart but Scattered is an excellent book discussing EF, with techniques to work on all the issues our kids face. And I'll second Hallowell, especially Superparenting for ADD, which really helped me--at a very difficult time--to understand that this diagnosis was not the end of all my hopes and dreams for DD. Seriously, it's the book I'd recommend any ADHD parent read first, to give a better understanding of their children, and help to see the issues you're facing in a more positive light.

 

 

 

 

[nature girl]

Heathermomster has posted instructions for metronome work at home.  With metronome work you're connecting sides of the brain with the bilateral motions, tapping EF (because of the beat), and improving motor planning, ability to handle distractions, etc.  As my dd got better, I also brought in digit spans to work on working memory.  With my ds I've been trying to do some math skip counting to see if I could get those two sides of the brain to connect.  

 

So they're clapping and trying to follow a beat at the same time they're doing skip counting/digit spans, right? So every time they clap/stomp they're also saying a number and trying to match the clap and number up with the metronome? Just want to make sure I'm imagining it correctly. How are you doing the digit spans? I guess you say the numbers while she's clapping and then she repeats them back?

 

And how is your son doing with IM/skip counting? I'm guessing Anna would have a really hard time with it, partly because of her DCD, although she doesn't have an issue with clapping in rhythm.

 

I'm also wondering how long each of your kids is able to do this before rebelling. I think if Anna lasted 2 minutes, it would be a good day! :)

[Tiramisu]

So they're clapping and trying to follow a beat at the same time they're doing skip counting/digit spans, right? So every time they clap/stomp they're also saying a number and trying to match the clap and number up with the metronome? Just want to make sure I'm imagining it correctly. How are you doing the digit spans? I guess you say the numbers while she's clapping and then she repeats them back?

 

And how is your son doing with IM/skip counting? I'm guessing Anna would have a really hard time with it, partly because of her DCD, although she doesn't have an issue with clapping in rhythm.

 

I'm also wondering how long each of your kids is able to do this before rebelling. I think if Anna lasted 2 minutes, it would be a good day! :)

 

When I tried to have dd10 clap to a beat, she didn't last long at all. She got real frustrated, real fast. That was when she was about 8. I was using the specific bpm which is maybe in the forties? fifties? Somewhat below what a normal heart rate would be, especially for a child.

[PeterPan]

AM, it was dd, who at the time was (I forget) 12-ish when we were doing this.  And she's only ADHD, with not much else exciting comorbid.  She could, from the very beginning, clap a beat.  For her the attention, the midline component, handling the distraction of me speaking while we did it or her brother running around, all these things were a challenge.  As they got easier, I added in digit spans and n-backs, etc. using Cusmano's workbook.  I theorized that doing tasks that coordinated motor planning, working memory, and language, all at the same time, would improve her ability to write her thoughts and get them onto screen, which in fact it did.  It was during that work that dd had a HUGE leap in ability to get her thoughts from brain to screen.  HUGE.  She now LOVES writing.  It was free, no regrets, totally worth it.

 

I started ds on some metronome work at 5 or 6, I forget.  Honestly, with him all I was trying to do was get him able to take a single clap.  He is SO impulsive, with TERRIBLE EF.  Psychs watch him for an hour and go Oh yeah, I can see the EF issues, lol.  I'm looking at him thinking what, my precious ? I see nothing, but people see it.  Anyways, yes, his starting point was MUCH lower.  For him I started with no metronome.  I just wanted one single clap.  He'd go into hyper-clap.  We'd do hands on hands to try to get ONE CLAP.  Then, when he could do ONE CLAP, then I said hey, could we clap while I say/touch the alphabet?  That was super tricky, and at first he might get 3 letters in the first row of the little foam alphabet puzzle.  You know what I mean, one of those $1 things from Dollar Tree or something.  

 

So we just slowly built up.  I just try to keep stretching it to add variety.  It's still very hard for him, which obviously means we don't do it enough.  That's a long story, sigh.  But yes, that's my current stretch, to see if we can clap through the 10s on a hundreds chart, clap and count by 2s, that kind of thing.  I'm more trying to keep it spicy because just saying oh clap for 5 minutes isn't going to keep him engaged.  Problem is those tasks are kind of hard for him, even with the visual supports.  But my theory is that I'm making connections between the sides of the brain, that I'm telling the math on the one side to make some connects to the language on the other side.  That's my theory at least, lol.  And I always kind of feel like finding something is hard is your clue to back up and break it down more, not just say oh that's not a good task.  Might not be the time or might need to be a lot smaller steps.  

 

So no, he's not able to do it for 15 min like some kids.  I'm trying for 20 claps one way, then maybe 10 or 20 claps another way, then 20 claps another way.  So it might be stomping, patting, clapping, but it's just very brief amounts.  

 

I'm definitely agreeing that there is a HUGE difference in my kids and how that has played out, and I don't think it's due to age.  I think it's because of the differences in severity of their EF problems.  

 

Edited March 23, 2016 by OhElizabeth

[Upptacka]

Wow, this is so helpful! Thank you! I love this board. =)

 

I would like to get her evaluated by a professional, I just wasn't sure where to start. I will search for pediatric neuropsychologists in our area.

 

I appreciate all of the suggestions and advice! I can't wait to spend more time reading this again when I can sit down later tonight.

 

The piece on structure hit home......that is something I really need to work on. I think all of us would benefit from more structure around here! We have such loose structure right now -- it is a major weakness of mine. I feel like I am failing her there.

[PeterPan]

Structure was a really hard one for me, because it felt like it was giving up our spontaneity and ability to follow passions and interests.  For me, I need enough structure that I know what's coming next (we use a visual schedule) but then we find our spontaneity within that.  That works for me.  And of course that's why a visual schedule has velcro, so you can rip it off and change!  But even that discussion about making a change is healthy.  

[Heathermomster]

So they're clapping and trying to follow a beat at the same time they're doing skip counting/digit spans, right? So every time they clap/stomp they're also saying a number and trying to match the clap and number up with the metronome? Just want to make sure I'm imagining it correctly. How are you doing the digit spans? I guess you say the numbers while she's clapping and then she repeats them back?

 

And how is your son doing with IM/skip counting? I'm guessing Anna would have a really hard time with it, partly because of her DCD, although she doesn't have an issue with clapping in rhythm.

 

I'm also wondering how long each of your kids is able to do this before rebelling. I think if Anna lasted 2 minutes, it would be a good day! :)

Children do not develop a beat competence until a certain age, and I expect your child is too young for IM right now.  Maybe check out this book instead.

 

IM is boring, and DS worked at it for a specific amount of time because we knew it would end once he had met certain OT goals.

[Heathermomster]

ADD-Friendly Ways to Organize Your Life is a helpful book.  DS is currently using EF books with a CBT therapist once per week.  DS also is under the care of a child psychiatrist who is helping us work out appropriate meds for ADHD inattentive.

[PeterPan]

Children do not develop a beat competence until a certain age, and I expect your child is too young for IM right now.  Maybe check out this book instead.

 

IM is boring, and DS worked at it for a specific amount of time because we knew it would end once he had met certain OT goals.

Do you know what age?  I have that book.  The activities were VERY hard for my ds when we tried them maybe around 5.  I'll bet he could do them now.  I think his issue is the severe EF issues. 

[Heathermomster]

Do you know what age?  I have that book.  The activities were VERY hard for my ds when we tried them maybe around 5.  I'll bet he could do them now.  I think his issue is the severe EF issues. 

Reread dmmetler's comments from this thread.

[sbgrace]

There are a lot of great materials out there. I'll highlight the ones I've found most helpful to this point.

 

I really like Smart but Scattered because it has practical, doable ways to work on each weak executive function.  It also helps you assess each executive skill to identify the weak and strong areas. Sometimes you can use a strong skill to mitigate weak ones. I felt I really learned a lot about my son's, well, wiring reading that book. Anyway, it's probably my favorite for executive skills. Your library probably has or can get a copy.

 

If social skills are impaired, and they can be with just adhd, I like The Unwritten Rules of Friendship. I have a lot of social skills stuff here and I think this is my favorite resource for the younger ages.

 

For emotional regulation, if that's part of the mix, Zones of Regulation is probably my favorite resource along with The Explosive Child for parenting help.

 

I can't find it right now, but there is a curriculum called Mind Up for mindfulness work. We put it on hold to work more on some other materials. It's the only mindfulness curriculum I own, so maybe there is something better--I don't know. But Mindfulness can definitely help ADHD.

 

Oh, there's a book Unstuck and On Target I was using to work on Flexibility. I liked that one too, if that may be one of the weak executive functions.

 

 

Edited March 24, 2016 by sbgrace

[nature girl]

This is interesting, thank you! And so encouraging that your kids seemed to have made such great strides with IM, OhE, wow.

 

I tried clapping today with Anna, just with an online metronome set at 54bpm...I'd say she did okaaay, but not stellar. She had a hard time matching the beat. (It's hard that slow!) She did adjust the beat well to match a slow pace, but couldn't quite clap right on the beat. It was a reasonably fun game with her, she got through the alphabet, skip counting by 5's to 100, then 2's to 30 before she'd had enough. Tomorrow I'll try with digit spans. (Is it doing anything if she can't actually match the beat all that well? I'm wondering now, since she was just slightly off, tended to clap right after she hears the beat, if there's a chance she was just waiting to hear the sound before she clapped rather than internalizing it, it's hard to tell.)

 

I know I'm being ridiculous and should just wait till she's old enough to really get something from it...But this all sounds magical, I've been intrigued for months, more so the more I read...Will general movement exercises to a beat really have some of the same effect? Movement while doing digit spans? Or a drum kit like geodob suggests in the other thread? (We have an old Rockband drum set and an an OLD-OLD-OLD electronic keyboard, with background rhythm you can play to...Would that do anything? Would it do more if she beat the rhythm while skip counting or doing digit spans? I'm guessing we'd just be spinning our wheels for no reason, but who knows?)

[nature girl]

I can't find it right now, but there is a curriculum called Mind Up for mindfulness work. We put it on hold to work more on some other materials. It's the only mindfulness curriculum I own, so maybe there is something better--I don't know. But Mindfulness can definitely help ADHD.

 

MindUp was good, especially as a first step. We're using Sitting Still Like a Frog now, which I think goes even further, and DD likes it and agrees to do it much more than I thought she would. I also recently got a book called Spinning Inward that has some great visualization exercises, which are fun to do, and also work on stillness and mindfulness.

[nature girl]

If social skills are impaired, and they can be with just adhd, I like The Unwritten Rules of Friendship. I have a lot of social skills stuff here and I think this is my favorite resource for the younger ages.

 

 

I also love this book! I think you might have been the one I got the recommendation from, sbgrace, so thank you! My DD fits the Different Drummer category perfectly, I was reading the description to my husband and we were both laughing and gasping. Thinking, Do we know this author?? Because he must have spent time watching our daughter's interactions...It was kind of stunning, haha. We've already put some of the ideas into practice. Excellent book!

[PeterPan]

Reread dmmetler's comments from this thread.

Wow, that was from way back!  :D  I made a screenshot of that sequence.  I know when I tried that book with ds, he was just so not ready.  I think *now* he might be there.  A lot of things have been clicking in my mind today.  I'm getting excited to tweak some things and try them...

[PeterPan]

This is interesting, thank you! And so encouraging that your kids seemed to have made such great strides with IM, OhE, wow.

 

I tried clapping today with Anna, just with an online metronome set at 54bpm...I'd say she did okaaay, but not stellar. She had a hard time matching the beat. (It's hard that slow!) She did adjust the beat well to match a slow pace, but couldn't quite clap right on the beat. It was a reasonably fun game with her, she got through the alphabet, skip counting by 5's to 100, then 2's to 30 before she'd had enough. Tomorrow I'll try with digit spans. (Is it doing anything if she can't actually match the beat all that well? I'm wondering now, since she was just slightly off, tended to clap right after she hears the beat, if there's a chance she was just waiting to hear the sound before she clapped rather than internalizing it, it's hard to tell.)

 

I know I'm being ridiculous and should just wait till she's old enough to really get something from it...But this all sounds magical, I've been intrigued for months, more so the more I read...Will general movement exercises to a beat really have some of the same effect? Movement while doing digit spans? Or a drum kit like geodob suggests in the other thread? (We have an old Rockband drum set and an an OLD-OLD-OLD electronic keyboard, with background rhythm you can play to...Would that do anything? Would it do more if she beat the rhythm while skip counting or doing digit spans? I'm guessing we'd just be spinning our wheels for no reason, but who knows?)

Oh no, don't go to digit spans!!!  Not on the 2nd day, lol!  With a 12 yo I did that after a couple MONTHS!!  And that was doing it like every day for 15-20 min.  Start low and slow, praise, work up when it gets easy.  Don't let it get hard.  Maybe tomorrow do it but make some even EASIER variants, so she can focus just on the beat and not so much anything cognitive.  Clapbox (app) will give feedback.  I usually clap with my kids, so they can laugh at whether I'm on or off, lol.  Maybe tomorrow don't even ask her to talk.  Just let her clap, your hands on hers, and you chant something adorable that she enjoys listening to.  

[PeterPan]

MindUp was good, especially as a first step. We're using Sitting Still Like a Frog now, which I think goes even further, and DD likes it and agrees to do it much more than I thought she would. I also recently got a book called Spinning Inward that has some great visualization exercises, which are fun to do, and also work on stillness and mindfulness.

You realize it FINALLY hit me today that we need to practice SSLaF during the day?  I'm just really slow to catch on, lol.  After baths works well, but I'm thinking I need to try during the day.  I had things too segregated in my mind for what would make good breaks.  I'm now realizing (duh) I need to bring more types of things in.  I guess we evolve and grow!

[nature girl]

Upptacka, I just got an email that Understood is hosting a (free) webinar on EF, on the 6th. In general, I'd recommend looking through Understood.org, as well as ADDitude.com. They have a wealth of information, and ADDitude has a pretty good search function.

 

ETA: Oops, that link didn't work. Here's the ridiculously long URL...https://www.understood.org/en/community-events/experts-live-chats-webinars/2016/april/06/executive-function-understood-science-skillbuilding-success?cm_ven=ExactTarget&cm_cat=032416_U_TN_Livestream1_Emoji&cm_pla=All+Subscribers&cm_ite=https%3a%2f%2fwww.understood.org%2fen%2fcommunity-events%2fexperts-live-chats-webinars%2f2016%2fapril%2f06%2fexecutive-function-understood-science-skillbuilding-success&cm_ainfo=&utm_source=livestream_032416TN&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=mobilization&utm_content=%xtshortdate%%&&&&

Edited March 24, 2016 by Anna's Mom