Abstract

This concise and highly accessible book contains everything that parents and busy professionals need to know about ADHD.

The author describes the spectrum of ADHD, the co-occurring symptoms, and common difficulties that parents face. The rest of the book focuses on solutions, based around four rules. Rule number one is keeping it positive: punishments can change behavior, but only positive approaches can improve attitude. Rule number two is keeping it calm: it's difficult thinking clearly enough to solve problems logically if you are feeling overwhelmed. Rule number three is keeping it organized: this rule relates particularly to the child's school life. Rule number four is to keep doing rules one to three..Finally, Dr. Kutscher discusses the role of medication for treating ADHD. The concluding chapter summarizes the information covered and can also be read as a complete, freestanding text. Useful checklists and further reading recommendations are also included.

Realistic and optimistic, this book is the ideal source of information and advice for parents and professionals who are trying to keep up with children who are living without brakes.

Dr. Kutscher has brilliantly accomplished exactly what he has set out to do. This book is wonderfully concise yet all-inclusive while remaining an easy read for parents and educators alike. The parenting and educational strategies are a great combination of proven methods that are realistic and practical to implement. Most of all, this book will help parents and anyone else who works with these children thoroughly understand how they think and why they function the way they do.
Heidi Bernhardt, National Director of the Centre for ADHD/ADD Advocacy Canada (CADDAC)
Martin L. Kutscher MD is Assistant Clinical Professor in the Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology of New York Medical College in Valhalla, NY, and has worked in the Rye Brook, New York area since 1987, with children who have special neurological needs. Dr Kutscher is board certified in Pediatrics and in Neurology with Special Qualifications in Child Neurology. He received his BA from Columbia University, his MD from Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons, and completed a pediatric residency at Temple University's St. Christopher's Hospital for Children. His neurology residency and pediatric neurology fellowship were completed at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He is the author of Kids in the Syndrome Mix of ADHD, LD, Asperger's, Tourette's, Bipolar, and More! The one stop guide for parents, teachers, and other professionals and Children with Seizures: A Guide for Parents, Teachers, and Other Professionals, both also published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Even if parents, teachers, and therapists read no further than the table of contents, they will gain a hugely valuable set of guidelines for helping children with ADHD. Of course, they'd best continue reading, because Dr. Kutscher fleshes out each guideline in the realistic-but-optimistic style his readers have come to expect… I cannot imagine a more clear, concise, and empathetic guide. Reading this book is like sitting down for a leisurely chat with an extremely compassionate, informed, and down-to-earth physician.
Gina Pera, author of Is It You, Me, or Adult ADD?
A concise and highly accessible book containing information about ADHD for parents and professionals.
Current Awareness Service, March 2008

This concise and highly accessible book contains everything that parents and busing professionals need to know about ADHD.

The author describes the spectrum of ADHD, the co-occurring symptoms, and common difficulties that parents face. The rest of the book focuses on solutions, based around four rules. Finally, Dr Kutscher discusses the role of medication for treating ADHD. The concluding chapter summarizes the information covered and can also be read as a complete, freestanding text. Useful checklists and further reading recommendations are also included.

Autism US

Territory World

'Martin Kutscher is a paediatric neurologist and understands the nature of ADHD as well as the perspectives and experiences of parents, teachers and children. He explains ADHD in a clear and engaging style that will ensure that his book will be read, appreciated and the practical strategies implemented at home and at school. I strongly recommend Living Without Brakes as the book of first choice for parents of a child with ADHD.'

Tony Attwood, author of The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome and Asperger's Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals

Living with a child who can't control movements or thoughts or emotions can leave parents feeling pretty out of control, too. We may feel that negotiating with kids weakens us, and that profiving a safety net weakens them, but without those thuings days can devolve into cyles of fighting and failure.

Maybe the most important thing about ADHD:Living without Brakes is that is gives parents permission to give kids with ADHD --the sort of support and stress releif they need to function successfully. These children require a departure from the standard techniques of firm di

scipline and learning from mistakes, and if you've been fighting that bad fight without success, it's a releif to know there are other approaches.

Many of the ones included in this zippy little book come froo other longer and less zippy works, making it a great introduction to a lot of text you will want to examine in more detail. This is sort of the attention-deficit version of an ADHD help bppk, highlightes by cartoon illustrations and 'quizzes' that summarize the chapter in a way that makes it very clear with answers are right and wrong.

And if the first 130 pages are still too much for you to wade through? The last thirtyfive summarize the whole book in an even briefer package. That little bit may be perfect for passing on to teachers or family members who are really never going to read those books you recommend. Particularly if they have a negative view of your child's behaviour or your way of handling it, the positive attitude and simplified explanations here may turn their attention to a more productive path.

Reviewed on About.com
This concise and highly accessible book contains everything that parents and busy professionals need to know about ADHD...Realistic and optimistic, this book is ideal source of information and advice for parents and professionals who are trying to keep up with children who are living without brakes.
Education Today, June 2008
Parenting a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is demanding, and there are many misconceptions about the diagnosis. But there is help as we learn more about the different facets of ADHD. For clarity, advice, and a healthy dose of optimism, we turned to Martin Kutscher, M.D., a pediatric neurologist and the author of the book ADHD: Living Without Brakes. His best advice: Stay positive'.
Scholastic Parent & Child