ADHD.

Silverstein, Alvin, Virginia Silverstein,and L. S. Nunn.  ADHD.  Enslow  2014 48p   $23.93  ISBN 978-0-7660-4270-4  elem/ms      series: Handy Health Guides  Nonfiction  VG

The Silverstein family does a good job of organizing data and making ADHD easy to understand.  In the seven chapters of this book, they share symptoms, provide a list of famous people with ADHD, distinguish ADHD from general states of high energy, list its causes, provide criteria to aid in its diagnosis, and provide treatment options.  In the final chapter, the authors enumerate tasks for patients diagnosed with ADHD to follow.  Photographs are helpful, but not completely supportive of the text, as in the choice of a photo of a skier jumping a slope on a snowboard to illustrate the ADHD symptom of having lots of energy and being on the go.   It’s a stretch to show a boy rock climbing and ask if he has ADHD or just a lot of energy.  Admittedly, it is difficult to illustrate ADHD with photographs, and the authors did as good a job as possible in providing support for young readers who are bored by technical information.  The greatest strength of the book lies in the differentiation between ADD and ADHD.  The authors do a very good job of discussing and contrasting the symptoms of each.   The strengths of the book outweigh its weaknesses, and overall, it is helpful, interesting and well organized.  The glossary at the end combines with a short list of books and web sites to consult and an index.   

The series Handy Health Guides looks at colds and flu, diabetes, the eyes, and more.  Organization of the information, supporting charts and photographs, and a glossary of new vocabulary words provide textual support to young readers who are examining the human body and healthy lifestyles.     

Summary: ADHD is defined, contrasted with ADD, described in detail, diagnosed and treated in this short guide to the condition that plagues parents and educators alike.  

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder              --Martha Squaresky