Abstract

For Alison, life with her son Daniel sometimes seemed like an endless round of difficulties: disobedience, backchat, rudeness, name-calling and aggression. Upon starting school, where his aggression and lack of concentration concerned teachers, Daniel was given a vague diagnosis of borderline Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), which was later changed to ADHD with secondary Oppositional Defiant Disorder and autistic traits. In this honest account of the first 18 years of Daniel's life, Alison exposes her own worries, doubts, and exceptional courage at every pivotal turn in Daniel's life. Interspersing the narrative with tips and advice on what she has found useful - or not - in bringing up Daniel, Alison also provides encouraging guidance for teachers and fellow parents. This book also raises serious questions about how the education system supports children with special needs, and if medication can be the answer to managing ADHD in children.
Daniel's story is very readable and interspersed with really helpful tips and information. The way the ADHD criteria and the strategies the author has found helpful are related directly to the child we are reading about makes them all the easier to understand and the regulations around school exclusions and special needs provision are introduced easily into the narrative too. The book also includes an excellent selection of references and resources. This is a really worthwhile project and I will be recommending it to parents who contact us.
Mary Austin, Founder, ADHD Oxfordshire
Alison M. Thompson is the founder of ADHD Kids and a trained NLP Practitioner and Life Coach, a route she was propelled down due to the ongoing experience of raising a son with ADHD. She works to educate parents and teachers on understanding and dealing with ADHD in children. In 2008, Alison was nominated and shortlisted for the mother@work Most Exceptional Working Mother Award.
Alison's story is both heart-breaking and inspiring... Her account will make you cry. But it may also make you laugh. Above all, it should make you realise that you're not alone. With patience, understanding, professional help and perseverance, you can get through this, and life can get better.
from the foreword by Rory Bremner
The Boy from Hell is like a parents' survival guide, offering private comfort and reassurance that it won't always be like this, and though every battle may take you to the brink of exhaustion it will all be worth it in the end. Oh, and it's proof that a mother's instinct about her beautiful yet challenging son is always right!
Annemarie Main, mother of a child with ADHD
The Boy from Hell is an honest and very moving personal account of a parent's experience of having a child with ADHD. Alison Thompson has written a book that will be welcomed by any parent who is trying to understand their child's ADHD and how best to support them. A well-researched, informative and accessible guide, full of practical tips for parents and professionals - especially teachers! This book is a must for anyone whose life has been touched by ADHD.
Dr Tony Lloyd, CEO, ADHD Foundation