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Rating: 
Summary: A Balanced View
Review: I started this book with some trepidation, expecting the author to be dead-set against Ritalin. This was not the case at all. He points out many positives about it, and frequently prescribes it to his own patients. He does examine (and question) the huge increase in the diagnosis of ADHD and the use of Ritalin, but in an insightful way. As the aunt of an ADHD child and a mother who is considering evaluation for her own daughter, I found the book very helpful. As we go through the process, I am already successfully using some of the behavioral techniques he discusses in the book.
I did feel that the book could have been quite a bit shorter, as the author seemed to repeat himself quite a bit.
Rating: 
Summary: Adds to the incredible pile of erroneous info about ADD
Review: This book is a sell-out. If you are convinced that ADD and ADHD really exists, then by all means, read this book. But if you think that ADD and ADHD is a cover-up, quickie 15-minute diagnosis, perpetuated by schools, managed care and drug companies, then your money would be better spent on "The Hyperactivity Hoax". Where my child is concerned, I'd like a TRUE diagnosis of what body system is malfunctioning, not a lazy, society-accepted bunch of hogwash such as ADD.Do your kid a favor and find a REAL solution to his or her physical problem and stop buying into this ADD nonsense.
Rating: 
Summary: PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGY--MORE FUN THAN SIDE EFFECTS...
Review: This book tells it like it is. For parents not looking for a copout, but for support. As a parent of 2 ADD children (and stepparent of 2 ADHD children) this book makes a lot of sense. He brings up some good points about expecting too much out of our children and looking for ways to make them smarter, better, etc., without putting more time and effort into it. Parenting is a fulltime job, more difficult than any other job. I remember feeling the relief when Dr's told me it was "not their fault or my fault, it is all a medical problem." Well, through the years, I've learned there are things different I can do, and some things I cannot change. We have been able to keep 2 of our kids off Ritalin (it caused bad rebound affects on two, one was zombie-like and one turned into a holy-terror after the medicine wore off everyday). One of our kids may be on it his whole life though, he just cannot function. Unfortunately, the book doesn't come up with a cure, but it also tells you the truth about Ritalin, RITALIN IS NOT A CURE! It does have its place with some children, but in my opinion, it is a bandaid on a bleeding wound
Rating: 
Summary: very informative
Review: This book tells it like it is. For parents not looking for a copout, but for support. As a parent of 2 ADD children (and stepparent of 2 ADHD children) this book makes a lot of sense. He brings up some good points about expecting too much out of our children and looking for ways to make them smarter, better, etc., without putting more time and effort into it. Parenting is a fulltime job, more difficult than any other job. I remember feeling the relief when Dr's told me it was "not their fault or my fault, it is all a medical problem." Well, through the years, I've learned there are things different I can do, and some things I cannot change. We have been able to keep 2 of our kids off Ritalin (it caused bad rebound affects on two, one was zombie-like and one turned into a holy-terror after the medicine wore off everyday). One of our kids may be on it his whole life though, he just cannot function. Unfortunately, the book doesn't come up with a cure, but it also tells you the truth about Ritalin, RITALIN IS NOT A CURE! It does have its place with some children, but in my opinion, it is a bandaid on a bleeding wound
Rating:
Summary: A book that at least asks the tough questions
Review: This books raises a lot of the questions I had but that I never see addressed elsewhere. It duscusses the fact that Ritalin does not cure ADD. It talks about the dramatic rise in ADD diagnoses and Ritalin prescriptions and discusses possible reasons. It also looks at some of the history and viewpoint of CHADD, the major support group for ADD. And it discusses how family environment and parenting techniques can play into a child's behavior. I think it also makes clear that Ritalin boosts everyone's performance, not just ADD kids or adults, and that the research stating that ADD results from faulty brain chemistry is less than proven. At the same time, the book is also reassutring about the relative safety of Ritalin. And, every case study of his patients he cites seems to include at least a trial of Ritalin, so he is not at all flatly against the drug. He is in favor of looking at the bigger picture of the patient's life, not just writing out a prescription. I think this book is definitely worth a read for anyone with a child who "has" ADD. And if you are someone who wonders why nobody seems to think it is any big deal to put your 6 year-old child on this highly-regulated stimulant drug, then you might feel the same relief I did in reading a book that at leasts asks questions, even if it doesn't have all the answers. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Not as anti-medication as you'd think
Review: This is a subject that stirs up strong opinions, but Diller occupies a cautious middle ground--not opposed to medication when it is in the child's best interests, but not convinced it is in the best interests of all the children for whom it is prescribed. A thoughtful treatment of a troubling topic.
Rating:
Summary: Sheding light on Ritalin
Review: This is a very useful book, in some ways it is the equivalent of "Talking back to Prozac". It both confronts the problem of the mass use of Ritalin and it also trys to add some possible solutions. I read this book as a research project for my College course, and it helped me so much that i pulled off an easy A+... this is definately a great book to read whether your doing a research project, have a child diagnosed with ADHD or if your simply curious about this Drug.
Rating:
Summary: A book that at least asks the tough questions
Review: This is a very useful book, in some ways it is the equivalent of "Talking back to Prozac". It both confronts the problem of the mass use of Ritalin and it also trys to add some possible solutions. I read this book as a research project for my College course, and it helped me so much that i pulled off an easy A+... this is definately a great book to read whether your doing a research project, have a child diagnosed with ADHD or if your simply curious about this Drug.
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