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: 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: 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: 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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Movie Review: Frozen (2013) by Disney

 

Movie Review: Disney's Frozen (2013)

It's more a Barbie movie than a traditional Disney classic. There are the heroines and some clever little animated animals. I loved the marvels created by ice and the fun songs that kids will love to sing and dance to. I still have "in summer" on a loop. And it's simply beautiful.

The eldest sister has a magical power to freeze things and create icy things. But for fear of hurting others with her powers she is taught to hide them, and be hidden herself. She grows up in isolation, especially from her sister who she had hurt in the past (who now no longer remembers that her sister has magical powers). You can only hide for so long, when her power becomes exposed, she runs into the mountains turning everything along the way into winter. Can the love of a sister or the love of a lover save the world?

My psychological perspective:

I loved the many themes bought out for kids in this movie. Definitely one to have a chat about after the movie.

Topics to talk to your kids about
Guarding our hearts, sibling love, courage, isolation, betrayal, grief, being unique

My Christian Perspective:

Yes. In typical Disney fashion, Love is what can save the day. But this time, there is less emphasis on romantic love than friendship and family love. The bible tells us to guard our heart. And this echoes throughout the movie.

This is an important lesson for all wannabe princesses out there. How can we fall in love with someone if we don't even know them? 

My overall rating: 

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

I love a disney family movie. This is one to keep on the dvd shelf, the kids will love to re-watch this for years. 

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Book review: The Owner's manual for driving your adolescent brain (2013)

 

Book Review:  The Owner's Manual for Driving  Your Adolescent Brain by Deak et al (2013)

Funky. Fun. Facinating. I loved it.
It's got a great balance of neuroscience and modern language appealing to the younger audience.

My psychological perspective:

For adolescents

It's great to find resources you know are beneficial for adolescent's to read, that they won't mind reading. This book is written in a non-threatening way and provides really helpful information, tips for young people in the context of their rapid development. 

How to protect their developing brain. How it changes throughout adolescence.

My Christian Perspective:

It's very cool from my perspective to investigate creation. When we look at the human body, it's a wonder how anyone can think we became by accident. The intricate ways in which our bodies operate, change and adapt- I cannot fathom how this is not by devine design.

This book is a great way for Christian parents to begin to talk to their young people about these bodily changes, and how this effects their decision making and choices throughout adolescence.

My overall rating: 

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

Nicely illustrated. Perfect holiday reading to keep young people occupied and learning. But I don't think the audience is purely young people, as it provides a quick refresher for those of us who left neuroscience back at college.

My advice, buy the book, (read it first) leave it by the kitchen table and see if your young person picks it up.

I was provided with a review copy of this ebook. It retails for physical copy $11.48 and ebook under $5 from Amazon and the publisher's website.

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Movie review: Saving Mr Banks (2013)

Movie Summary: Saving Mr Banks (2013)
Let me start off by saying that Mary Poppins is one of my favourite non-animated disney films of all time.  If I had not seen the previews of saving Mr Banks, I would have never guessed that there was a connection. The title of the film could have easily directed my imagination towards a war movie, or a movie about a Banker.

The movie is a little mix between the Hitchcock, Mr Bean with subtle underlays of music from Mary Poppins. It's fun, no funny as grumpy Mrs T tries to have her say in every part of the portrayal of Marry Poppins. And as the movie unfolds, the layers of her onion are revealed in a soft and tear jerking way.

I'm partial to the sunburnt portrayal of my country of Australia and giggled a little when I saw Ipswich and Brisbane on the train map. The film gave me a greater appreciation of Mary Poppins and Walt Disney, great job by all the actors involved.

My psychological perspective:

For a Disney film based on a lively musical, this film has very deep themes.

Mr Banks struggles with a very real issues of depression and alcoholism, marriage problems. And at the same time, his daughter also struggles with unresolved grief and resentment towards her father. And his daughter has carried this emotional baggage with her - for life. 

Indeed, the early years of development, and attachment security is an extremely powerful influence in the development of young people. These experiences with primary caregivers shapes our views of the world, shapes our views of relationships, of hope. If distorted views of reality are left unaltered in childhood and through adulthood, it is likely that these distorted views will change how we interact with the world around us.

The film has been able to delicately touch on this sensitive topic. While we cannot change the past, we can recreate a future. And I hope I can continue to help clients be able to let go of this emotional baggage. It's never too late.

My Christian Perspective:

Several times during the movie, Mrs T makes joke of how Walt Disney has God-like status in Hollywood. But the film was able to show a less beautiful side of Walt as he reveals his past and bad habits. Despite his many problems, Walt was able to create beautiful things.

I have a favourite quote from Corrie Ten Boom, which goes roughly like this...

Every experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see.

The best novels and creative works come from people with rich experiences, with pain and emotional baggage. The experience of pain and recovery changes us. And this film was able to illustrate that out of the roughness of the Australian outback, and the darkness of alcoholism comes a story of hope.

My overall rating: 

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

This is a beautiful film and a must for those who have grown up with Marry Poppins. It touches a heartstring for me. A soft yet rewarding experience to be shared. 

Parental guidance is definitely required for the little ones, and I'm not sure they would appreciate the art that is in this movie to the true extent.

DON'T MISS THIS MOVIE AT THE CINEMAS!

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