Book review: The Little Black Book of Neuropsychology: A Syndrome-Based Approach(2011)

Book review: The Little Black Book of Neuropsychology: A Syndrome-Based Approach(2011)

I have taken a little of a break from my reviewing, who can blame me having submitted my PhD and about to pick up a new locum position. And review season is now in full swing. So over the next few weeks, I will be catching up on reviewing all the peer reviewed journal articles and texts.

This is a really good text to get me back into the game. Having done a fair few neuropsychology assessments in the last month, I can appreciate a good resource when I see one. Instead of digging into the numerous powerpoint presentations, different textbooks and different notebooks, this text has allowed me to get a really good comprehensive source reference when preparing for assessments and during the write up. It was also a very good refresher for main neuropsychological concepts.

The structure of the text itself lends itself to be useful. While the text itself is somewhat wordy and dry, the quick call out boxes gives all the information I need at a quick glance. If I was still in graduate school, it would be a text that I would be madely highlighting, and these highlights would come to great use just about now. It will definitely be a text I would recommend to my students.

My psychological perspective

The text is well organised and I can imagine myself seeing a particular client, then having a flick through the text to identify key things I would need to test for, just in case I've forgotten. There are bits and pieces that I will keep well "tabbed" including the list of common abbreviations, specific tests that I can use in bedside assessments, and brief recommendations.

I like the focus on facts and practical examples. As a visual person, I liked the inclusion of diagrams, though I believe coloured diagrams would have really added to the overall understanding of the concepts.

My Christian perspective

Observing and describing strengths and weaknesses in cognitive functioning is great. At this clinical level, I find it really hard to have any grey areas in terms of impact on my Christian worldview. Of course ethical issues will arise from the use of the information in reports and so on, but it's not really worth discussing here.

My overall rating: 

Excellent
This is a very useful resource or a decent use of time. 

This is another great quick reference guide to have on my bookshelf at work- yes it's getting quite large now, but I will definitely be referring back to this text every now and then. Especially, if I'm getting the Tip of the Tongue syndrome. I would highly recommend this text for any graduate student studying neuropsychology or any medical student studying neuro.

  This book is available from Springer, Amazon and other online retailers.

I was provided with a review copy of this book but was not otherwise influenced in my review. 

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Book review: Mindful Parenting (2014)

Book review: Mindful Parenting (2014)

I think I am in the same minds as the publisher, I am truly grateful that Mindful Parenting is finally published in it's current form. I have been training parents in evidence based family behavioural interventions and mindfulness based parenting (PuP) for a number of years, but there was a gap in our understanding of the scientific basis of such approaches.

  It is an easy to read text including an 8 week Mindfulness Parenting course!

My psychological perspective

This text is spot on. It doesn't matter how many skills we provide parents, if they are unable to apply these skills because of emotional stress. And reading through the text, I felt like I was going on a journey with the authors into the development and refinement of the Mindfulness Parenting Course: an 8 week courses detailed in the book complete with handouts. The preliminary evidence shows that it works. Obviously more research is needed, but this is an exciting step.

The Mindfulness Parenting Course is not presented as a mechanical program, but written in such a way as to give insight into the processes of the evolving group program. I love how the authors include the reactions they normally get from parents. It's almost as if I was there with them in the room. And I can definitely picture myself running said group. They also provide a bunch of resources (permission to replicate included :D) to use if one decides to run the program. My critiques of the program.  I really like how the authors have attempted to scientifically study the effectiveness of this program. I like that there is a balance of experience as well as knowledge imparted in the program. I like the encouragement of homework tasks to practice the skills. And I like on follow up, parents continued to improve beyond the program. One of my critques of the program in private practice is that it is a long program, which won't be as big of an issue in the public sector. And personally, I would prefer a greater emphasis on parenting techniques which combine well with the mindfulness based approach, but this wasn't a positive parenting program, it was a mindfulness based parenting program.

I would recommend this book to those who have already been exposed to evidence-based mindfulness approaches, and those interesting in enhancing their parenting skills.

My Christian perspective

Mindfulness parenting just makes sense. We were created differently to animals, and traditional behavioural approaches uses the same strategies to train dogs. Well, it works, kind of, at least in principle it works, and for most parents it does. But it's missing something. And I think Mindfulness Parenting fills that gap well.

My overall rating: 

Superior
This is a fantastic resource or was an extremely great use of time.

 I do rarely give out a superior rating for my reviews. But this book definitely deserves one. This is one of the resources used in developing the Raising Tweens and Teens group in my clinic later this year. This is not really an academic text, but targets those who are already practicing mindfulness. I will be sharing this resource with my psychology students and with some of the parents I am working with.

I guess my interest also stems from parents asking me for an alternative to what is available on the market. And it's still evolving. A lot of my clients are parents struggling with the behaviours of their children (ADHD, challenging behaviours from ASD, self harm, substance use, aggression). This text definitely is one step in the right direction.

Please stay tuned for a new program called: Raising Tweens and Teens: Positive and mindful parenting which I will be running late 2014. It combines Mindfulness Parenting with Family Behavioural Intervention. It is a five session program with ongoing follow up sessions every 6 months as needed. For more information, please contact the clinic or visit www.couragepsyc.com.au/groups.

  This book is available from Springer, Amazon and other online retailers.

I was provided with a review copy of this book but was not otherwise influenced in my review. 

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Book review: Positive Psychology (2013)

Book review: Positive Psychology: Advances in understanding adult motivation (2013)

I was really excited to see this text being published. It's a useful first and second look at Positive Psychology. Not light reading, but clearly useful for those interested in positive psychology.

My psychological perspective

Having been trained in traditional psychology perspectives, I have noticed that the focus on treatment is usually based on the past and based on deficits. But I have noticed that when I include and focus on positive psychology, my clients start showing more resilience, hope and courage. And this really resounds with me.  

I was hooked into the book when it was talking about calling. Particularly reviewing findings where parental calling increases child wellbeing. Bam. This is what I've been noticing all along. And what I have personally found is that the concepts of positive psychology fit better for some clients than the traditional CBT approach. Obviously though, there needs to be more trials in this area.

An interestingly, the text looks at the constructs in positive psychology that aren't easy measured including flow (how do you measure how an individual is completely engrossed in activities that they enjoy?).

My Christian perspective

Positive psychology really resounds with the focuses in the Christian faith. Think purpose driven life by Rick Warren. We are built with a purpose. And when you find said focus, it should empower and drive you. It was interesting to read about the matches between psychology and the christian faith in Chapter 1. This is a relatively uncommon stance as some theorist have openly claimed that psychology conflicts with the Christian perspective. And what is more interesting is that the positive psychology movement to date has been close associated with other world religions.

My overall rating: 

Excellent
This is a very useful resource or a decent use of time. 

This is mostly an academic text, and is a bit too dense for general reading and there are far too many references listed. If you are looking at an easy to read pop psychology book, look elsewhere. But as an academic, I found it an exciting addition to my bookshelf and definitely one I will share with my psychology students.

Please stay tuned for a new program called: Raising Tweens and Teens: Positive and mindful parenting which I will be running late 2014. For more information, please contact the clinic.

  This book is available from Springer, Amazon and other online retailers.

I was provided with a review copy of this book but was not otherwise influenced in my review. 

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Book review: Evidence-Based Interventions for Children with Challenging Behavior (2014)

Book review: Evidence-Based Interventions for Children with Challenging Behavior (2014)

This text is written in really simple language, and balances the practical needs of practitioners with evidence-based intervention techniques. For college students, this text provides a great overview of a range of childhood disorders- highly recommended for child development courses. And not only that, it will provide parents with some key tips on how to manage a range of childhood emotions and challenging behaviours.


My psychological perspective:
Challenging behaviours in children and adolescence is one of my special interest areas in psychological practice. I found this text particularly useful as a quick reference guide (quick incidence rates, guidelines and evidence based treatment approaches for common disorders).  Childhood disorders are more common than we think, and the number of parents seeking help for these problems are disproportionate to the incidence of such problems.

There are snipits based on different evidence-based interventions giving practitioners, funding bodies and parents a good idea about what is involved and the effectiveness of such programs. I can only judge the accuracy of approaches that I've been trained in, but the presenting information about Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Triple P Positive Parenting Program, . The descriptions are brief but do give an insight into what the programs involve. As opposed to other training manual, this text is quite practical and even provides details of how to get trained in these approaches. The benefit of presenting all these evidence based approaches is really because there isn't a one size fit all approach. There are a few evidence based programs not available in Australia which has shown promise.

Finally, the book presents some core strategies. Although I have found that these strategies can be applied better with practitioner support, through role plays and active problem solving, the strategies presented here give parents a great idea of how to start using the strategies of time out, modelling, problem analysis, progress monitoring, etc.  (Not so useful was the large number of pages dedicated to showing you how to graph in excel, this is not a computing text after all and many practitioners I know are actually mac uses). Nevertheless, the book has inspired me to write a few more case studies. What I think the text does lack is a focus on third wave CBT interventions, which deals with empowering parents to be mindful while appling strategies.

If you are a parent of a child suffering from challenging behaviours, please give my clinic a call, and I will be happy to meet with you to discuss your concerns. The clinic in located on the Gold Coast.

If you are a psychology university student on the Gold Coast, and would like to work shadow me in delivering Triple P, please contact me.

My Christian perspective: 
I would not discount the potential of children.  I have seen how these interventions have worked. Based on some of the theories presented in this book, I have seen children develop into leaders, and become really helpful around the household. But there is something missing in this text. From my Christian perspective, I have to note that physical, and emotional development are useful, but so is spiritual development. I would still encourage clinicans and parents to investigate the options listed in the book and also adapt these to include a focus on moral development and spiritual growth.

My overall rating: 

Excellent
This is a very useful resource or a decent use of time. 

 

Really very useful for clinicians and college students. A great resource to keep on the bookshelf as a quick reference guide.

This book is available from Springer, Amazon and other online retailers.

I was provided with a review copy of this book but was not otherwise influenced in my review.

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Book review: Angels (2013) Alexis York Lumbard

Book review: Angels (2013) by Alexis York Lumbard

This is a beautiful little picture book.

My psychological perspective

I love simple picture books that speaks beyond it's simple words. It's not so much about angels as about "differentness". Kids themselves, through this book can start to understand that they are unique in how they look and what that like, and that's all great. 

Things to talk to your children about: uniqueness, selfesteem, body image.

My Christian perspective

I am well aware that angels that are presented in this book differ to how angels are represented in the bible.  And when children are older, it will be important to draw this distinction.

My overall rating: 

Excellent
This is a very useful resource or a decent use of time.

It's a great little book to have around. To remind kids that they are unique, and it doesn't make them better or worse than others. Probably aimed more at little girls than little boys.

Available on Amazon. If this was a gift, I would probably splurge for a handcover copy.

I was provided with a review copy of this book, but it did not influence my review opinions.

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Book review: Never Underestimate a Hermit Crab (2014)- Sneak peak

Book review: Never Underestimate a Hermit Crab (2014) 

This is a book that you will enjoy reading with your children. And as I was reading it, I could just image all the different sound effects and voices that parents can put on to make this a fun time with their little ones. And it is a good reminder for ourselves, that our children can accomplish so many things without us realizing.

My Psychological perspective

I loved this book for several reasons. It's creative and promotes imagination. There are plenty of things for you to talk about with your kids. It's got a practical aspect- even instructions of how to look after your little hermit crabs. And it has a really good message. That, you too can have such fantastic adventures, and you are capable of more than you realize.

Things to talk to your children about

What other crazy things can our other boring pets and animals around be actually up to. Go to the pet shop to have a look at hermit crabs as a trip afterwards. This book can't just be read, you will need to do fantastic voices to give it justice.

My Christian perspective

Doesn't the bible remind us of this? Do not let them look down on your because you are small, but set a good example for the elders. Indeed, through teaching children, I have found that I have learned so much. And even in providing therapy to people, I also gain so much insight into the fantastic things people are capable of.

My overall rating: 

Excellent
This is a very useful resource or a decent use of time.

This is a great little gift for kids who might get a new "boring" pet. But in general, it's a fun book to have around to teach kids that they too can accomplish things. And this will be a great book for parents who are struggling to enjoy reading with their kids.

Available on Amazon. March 18, 2014.

I was provided a copy for review but this did not influence my opinions.

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Book review: Zebra Stripes Go Head to Toe

Book review: Zebra Stripes Go Head to Toe

My psychological perspective

This is a great book to have around homes and kindy. It's about all things square and stripped and is an excellent tool to help kids learn about shapes in the world around them.

My Christian perspective

After reading this book with your kids, why not go on a hunt for square/cubbed things you can pray about?

My overall view

Excellent
This is a very useful resource or a decent use of time.

Just like the Ladybugs have lots of spots, this is a niffty little book to have around. It teaches kids about shapes/patterns and is a book you can read over and over with little ones. Not quite as pretty, but I still enjoyed it.

Available at retailers including Amazon.com. 

I was provided a copy for review purposes but it has not influenced my opinion.

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Book review: Ladybugs Have Lots of Spots

Book review: Ladybugs Have Lots of Spots

Simple is best. This book is all about one thing, all things round.

My psychological perspective

This book is great to have around the home and in kindy/ prep. It teaches kids about shapes, but also you can open it up to a lot of incidental learning.

Things to talk to your children about

Shapes and colours

My Christian perspective

I love finding opportunities to get kids more curious about the world around them. After reading this book with kids, consider a hunt around the house and garden for all things with spots and are round in shape. 

You can also spend time praising God for all things round!

My overall rating

Excellent
This is a very useful resource or a decent use of time.

I really loved this little book. There is something about the beautifully coloured pictures and rhymes which really sells this book to me. It's a book to read over and over!

It's available at good retailers including Amazon.com

I was provided a copy of this book for review, but was not influenced in my opinions.

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Book review: Kobee Manatee (2013)

Book review: Kobee Manatee (2013)

Books like this excite me. I learn something new while reading with a young person, and when you learn new things together you grow together. The illustrations are stunning.

My psychological perspective

This book is pitched at older children, optimally at grade 3. The words are a bit more difficult for the younger children and they will need this read to them. 

The authors have put fast facts into the pages which gives kids something to talk to you about when you re-read this book for the nth time. 

There are also fun things to talk to your children about including

Helping others, standing up for others

My Christian perspective

It's amazing how God's creatures are so unique. This is a fantastic opportunity for you to have a chat to your children about all of God's sea creatures.

My overall rating: 

Excellent
This is a very useful resource or a decent use of time.

A great book that balances a storyline with building knowledge.

Kobee Manatee (2013) is available from Amazon in multiple formats.

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Book review: Claude at the beach (2014)

Brief Book review: Claude at the beach (2013)

My psychological perspective

I love a good picture book. This is no exception. Not quite a standard children's picture book though, with only a few shades of colour. 

Words are a bit difficult for those who haven't started school yet. I would recommend reading this with your primary school child. Yes, it's a little silly, and I laughed out loud when Claude was being creative with sticky tape. It's going to be a bit scary for some- don't want to spoil it for you but a great big SHARK makes an appearance!

Things to talk to your children about

sunsmart, safety in the water, self esteem

My Christian perspective

Going for a short beach break with the family after reading this book will really boost relationships with your children. 

Available at all good retailers including Amazon.com.

My overall rating: 

Good
This resource maybe useful and maybe a decent use of time.

 Another good little book to keep around the clinic and for parents to connect with their kids.

(Please bear with me, the next couple of reviews will be of picture books, I'm on the lookout for books for my clinic to read with some of my child clients. I have a rule, I don't EVER watch or read things with clients without having watch them first and made sure the material will be therapeutically beneficial). 

I was provided a copy of this book for review but there was not influence on my review. 

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Book review: The Giving Prescription (2014)

Book review: The giving prescription (2014)

My psychological perspective

Philanthrophic actions like volunteering have helped many of my clients stay mentally healthy and physically active. And the book is spot on, these actions provide meaning, helps us to make lemonade out of the lemons life throws at us. There are a bunch of other reasons why volunteering can promote mental health and wellbeing- it adds structure to your life- gives you a reason to get out of bed, gives you a new role. The book gives some helpful advice to those who want to just throw all their energy into volunteering to help them recover.

My Christian perspective

I believe that being the hands and feet of Jesus is really one of the reasons why we are still on earth. So I'm all for people using their negative experiences to help them recover.

My overall rating

I liked this book. While we have known for a long time the benefits of helping others, there are some things people need to be aware of. And this book covers those quite well.

The giving prescription is available on amazon and other leading retailers.

I was provided with a copy of the book for review purposes but was not otherwise influenced in my opinion.

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Book review: Give, Save, Spend with the Three Little Pigs (2014) sneak peek

Book review: Give, Save, Spend with the Three Little Pigs (2014) sneak peek

The ideas presented in this book are great. And I couldn't help but smile all the way through.

My psychological perspective

This book probably would make no sense to younger children, as their brains haven't developed enough to understand the concepts of savings. This is a great idea for kids who are about to get some pocket money. And is a great opportunity to teach them different ways to spread out their money.

My Christian perspective

If we view our money as God's money, but just ours for safe keeping, then it makes sense for us to be good stewards of His money. In fact, recently, we had a great discussion in Children's worship about monetary offerings. So teaching children about money and how to spend it seems like a great idea.

My overall rating: 

Superior
This is a fantastic resource or was an extremely great use of time.

For those that have read a few reviews of mine, you will find that I don't give "Superior" ratings often. I'm entirely biased because of my background in both psychology as well as business. In fact, I think I should send a copy to Kochie on Sunrise to have a look.

Give, Save, Spend with the Three Little Pigs (2014) will be available from amazon from 4 March 2014.

I was provided with a review copy but this did not influence my opinion of the book.

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Book review: Mindful Discipline (2014) Sneek Peak!

 

Book review: Mindful Discipline (2014) 

The authors open the book with describing children as seeds, undeveloped, but one day may grow into spectacular plants. Parents are seen as gardeners, and while there is little we can do to make the plant grow faster, we can provide these little plants with nourishment, we can help to prune the plants.

Parents and clients often ask me the key to my calmness, even when things are out of control. It's practice and experience. And tonnes of practice in mindfulness.

My psychological perspective

While CBT and Triple P may be Gold Star treatments in their own rights, today's technology and research has been largely pushing third wave therapies. Mindfulness based CBT, mindfulness based parenting to name a few. And these new approaches have great application in clients who connect with this framework, while for other clients, it will be a big turn off. 

The book is loosely based on a wealth of knowledge about attachment, mindfulness, parent training and child development. My previous training through Parents Under Pressure was reflected well in this self-help book for parents. Mindfulness is something that is mostly taught with experience. But this book does this quite well on paper! Nothing new is under the sun. But different ways of presenting and packaging information connects to different people.

I love the detail of the formal mindfulness practices at the end of each chapter. I think parents will get most out of this book if they are reading it alongside others, and able to share their learning and practices together.

My Christian perspective

I sometimes struggle with the mindfulness approach which was originally inspired by buddist zen. But I have seen it work again and again with my clients. If we removed the stigma associated with it's origins, and simply as a technique to build psychological flexibility, I believe it contradicts my beliefs less. I explain to clients that it's about building psychological flexibility about focusing on the past, and the future, and on the present. 

The book

My overall rating: 

Excellent
This is a very useful resource or a decent use of time.

Not everyone's cup of tea, but will be a winner for some struggling parents. The book is a bit wordy, but if you can bare with the slow pace, I'm sure you will get something out of it! Take the journey, I'm hopeful that the process will be rewarding for most parents who connect with the ideas. 

Mindful discipline will be available from 1 June 2014 from leading retailers including Amazon.

I was provided with a review copy ahead of publication.

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Book review: FastExercise (2014) by Michael Mosley

Book Review:  FastExercise by Michael Mosley
I jumped onto this book as soon as I finished the 5:2 book. High intensity training has always appealed to my brother, who is a doctor. He has urged me to do hill sprints and the like for years. I tried. And it was painful. It was difficult to do by yourself.
So instead, over the years, I've been more drawn to endurance training. But it's hard to get up for pre-dawn sessions. And so I press snooze more often than I should. So I understand when clients tell me how hard it is for them to do exercise. Especially, if they have an image of exercise being in the gym for long sessions with good looking people around, or endless laps in the pool where tonned bodies glided in the water.
So to me, this book was exciting. Its not for everyone, but at the very least, the idea is, if the time commitment is realistic enough, then perhaps it will move some overweight people into exercising.

My psychological perspective:

 Behavioural activation is a core component of CBT. It's often hard to get clients to add exercise into their day. Where are they going to fit it in, given mounting piles of homework, housework, overtime at work? It's attractive to sell a program that requires such minimal time. And really appeals to the time poor. I'm all for anything that gets people more motivated to be active. And I'm a bit biased because there is some Australian research quoted.

I'm going to put the same cavets as I did for my review of the FastDiet. Widespread application of this FastExercise plan is not recommended. This exercise program really shouldn't be recommended to people before they seek their own medical advice, pregnant women need to be cautious, those with existing heart conditions and children. And although I've already mentioned this, you should get your health team on board before making any significant changes to your lifestyle or diet.

My Christian Perspective:

Our body is God's temple, so it makes sense to look after it a bit. To do exercise, to stay active makes sense. But the bible also says physical training is of worth, but so is spiritual training. And the risk of a heavy focus on this, even top piority, means that possibly, God is no longer first?

My overall rating: 

Excellent
This is a very useful resource or a decent use of time. 

If this will get at least one person moving for a while, then I say go for it. It's a bit too much jargon for the standard person to read through. And you would definitely consult your medical team before starting this plan. I recommend at least reading the book once if you are thinking about starting the FastExercise. Available on Amazon and other online retailers  

I obtained a review copy of this book, but it did not influence my opinion.

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Book review: FastDiet by Michael Mosley.

Book Review:  FastDiet by Michael Mosley

I'm really slow on the pick up. I only got onto this book recently after a psychologist coworker explained why he has lost 8kg over the Christmas holidays and why he was eating a leafy salad for lunch.

So like you would, I went home and googled it. Placed by order for the book, and while I was waiting, I found the original documentary Michael Mosley was in. I was cautioned, those that do the diet without reading the book may not have the same benefits. 

What I found was that the documentary was already enough to convince me to give it a try. The book was slightly redundant, given I was accessing an electronic copy. I would really recommend the physical copy of the book instead, so you can flick through whenever you need it. 

The results, within the first month, I had lost 2 kg. For my height this is a great achievement. After doing a maintanence bout, I gained one kilo back, so I will be starting the whole 5:2 again.

My psychological perspective:

MANY clients come to see me in private practice due to body image issues. Girls are too fat, boys don't have enough muscles, lean ladies have too much of a gut still, and older men have beer bellies. And even I was slowly creeping up on the scale over the last couple of years. And this is not surprising given my busy schedule and largely sedatory job. 

But for some, difficulties losing weight is a battle. Even with their GPs (doctors) on board. The diet makes sense, because it makes calorie restriction easier. You only have to get through one day, and you can eat normally the next. The degree of self control here is perceived as much easier and more likely to be maintained.

Although the diet worked for me, I do have concerns about the widespread application of the diet. 1) when I was on fast days, I found myself obsessing about calories. And this is a well known symptom of starvation, and I can quote a few studies here about the effects of calorie restriction on the mind. 2) This diet really shouldn't be recommended to people before they seek their own medical advice, pregnant women need to be cautious, those who are already suffering from eating disorder. 3) People really shouldn't be fasting for more than 2 days a week, and although I've already mentioned this, you should get your health team on board before making any significant changes to your lifestyle or diet.

My Christian Perspective:

Everything is permissible but not everything is benefical. Unfortunately, in my lifetime, I have seen that there is an abundance of food in first world countries. And tonnes of it. 

In the olden days of Christianity, people would fast more often, and really be with God during this time. Even Jesus went without food for 40 days while he spent the time alone in the desert with God. But he is God- so don't try the 40 days at home! 

The thing I like about this diet is that for at least 2 days a week, it builds self control- yes a fruit of the spirit.

My overall rating: 

Excellent
This is a very useful resource or a decent use of time. 

I recommend at least reading the book once if you are thinking about starting the 5:2 diet. Available on Amazon and other online retailers  

I actually obtained my copy after recommendations from my research supervisor.

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Book review: Raising boys with ADHD (2012) by Forgan and Richey

Book Review:  Raising boys with ADHD (2012) by Forgan and Richey

While ADHD presentations are becoming more common in my clinic, I have been searching for an easy to understand the helpful guide for parents. Kids with ADHD- hyperactive subtype diagnoses are sometimes struggling in the school environment both academically and socially because they are simply too interested - IN EVERYTHING at the SAME TIME.
I have a bunch of beautiful parents who have worked so hard at making things work for their children that they are exhausted. To be honest, a session with a child with ADHD can be exhausting trying to keep up with the many interests they may have.
This book is really empathetic to the struggles parents will go through. And provides really practical tips for parents.

This book is helpful in that it's got a separate chapter for each period of development. 

My psychological perspective:

I loved how it went through the basic psychoeducation about ADHD in a conversational way with parents. A parent didn't intentionally cause ADHD, it is primarily described as a neurological disorder- causing an individual to have difficulties sitting still, paying attention and controlling behaviour. Accepting a diagnosis of ADHD is difficult for parents- the authors take time to address some myths and common questions parents may have. I particularly liked the idea of templates of writing letters to family members and teachers, letting them know the impact of the diagnoses, and what would be useful for the child.

Next, the book provides details of the available treatment options. Most parents are concerned about the use of medication. And the book goes through some of the research in the area, and how this works with behavioural therapy and working memory training. I particularly liked the detail surrounding parenting training, something I usually find to be effective with my parent clients.

Splitting the implications for children at different ages is quite helpful. Strategies useful at younger ages may not work for older ages, and visa versa. For example, fidget toys for younger children may not work as well in older teens.

The book isn't designed for an Australian audience but the strategies will be equally useful here. In Chapter 6, you will need to seek more localised information. A first step may be to talk to your child's teachers and school staff to find out about what support is available.

This is definitely one of the books I will start to recommend to some of my parent clients. I recommend using the book in conjunction with the advices from your doctor and psychologist. 

My Christian Perspective:

From my own personal christian perspective, I believe God loves all his little children. And God loves children with problems with attention and hyperactivity. ADHD is just a label that helps professionals communicate a cluster of difficulties a child is having. If you remove the label, quite often you have a beautiful child that is simply too interested and has too much energy compared to other children.

As someone in children's ministry, I try my best to connect to each child. To praise them for their strengths and help them in their weaknesses. And this book, I believe is a powerful resource for parents. 

My overall rating: 

Excellent
This is a very useful resource or a decent use of time. 

Why hesitate? Get started with this helpful little book today. Available on Amazon and other online retailers  

Note. I have been sent these review copies from the publishers which have not influenced my opinion in this review. 

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Book review: Year of no sugar (2014)- Sneak Peek

Book Review:  Year of no sugar (2014)

Losing weight, being more fit, becoming more healthy are among the top new year's resolutions. This book details the struggles an American family goes through to stick to the goal of having no sugar within a year, including being creative in the kitchen, struggling to dine in a sugary world, being smart travelling, and how the kids dealt with it too (think birthdays, halloween, kid's parties). Hilarious accounts of vegetable subs with lettuce, and everything tasting like Bananas/Dates.

My psychological perspective:

Loved it.

It could have been an account of how someone gave up cigarettes, alcohol, tv dramas, facebook, chocolate, internet for a year. But this family made a decision to quit added fruitose for a year. 

It was not written as a scientific account, but a down to earth account of how a family dealt with quitting sugar for a year and their own observed changes with the year. Now there could also be many confounds, but these aside, what I loved about the accounts were that it wasn't smooth sailing.

Wouldn't mind getting a few experiments going, but to get matched controls would be very difficult.

But it's important to be balanced. As a one year project, quitting sugar is interesting, but it takes so much effort, that it becomes almost an obsesssion. And certainly, with more eating disorders presenting at my clinic, I have found that an over emphasis on "good" and "bad" foods is risky. Sure, having no sugar is difficult, but eating in moderation- what does that mean anyway?

My Christian Perspective:

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. (Matthew 4:4)

¹⁵ I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. ¹⁶ And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good.(Romans 7)

While food in itself is not a sin, many people around the world are addicted to Sugar. From my Christian perspective, any addiction is sin. Yet, it's soooo hard to control. This book gave some really good insights into just how hard it is to control. But, on the other hand, over-control based on a set of rules and obsessing over food also becomes a sin... 

I find myself laughing about this paradox, and asking WWJD.

My overall rating: 

Excellent
This is a very useful resource or a decent use of time. 

Available in April 2014. Pre-order this one! It's funny, real, and inspiring. Also read Sweet Poison to understand what this author is going on about.

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