Book of the Month - ADHD an A-Z: Figuring it Out Step by Step

ADHD an A-Z.  Figuring it Out Step by Step by Leanne Maskell. 
 
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has become better-known in recent years, with many books and media programme having been produced that help dispel myths and misunderstandings.

This book is a great addition to the neurodiverse library. It provides a much-needed antidote to books that have, during previous times, taken a pathologizing and overly-clinical approach. It’s written by Leanne Maskell who is an ADHD coach who was herself diagnosed with ADHD.


Through the A-to-Z format, Leanne covers topics which are highly pertinent and relevant, and that clearly demonstrate that she knows what needs to be looked at and understood from a different perspective.  Her style is friendly, candid, practical and useful. The book’s layout is user-friendly; you can go straight to a topic and pick up some useful insights and practical advice quickly and succinctly.  It isn’t overly wordy or full of incomprehensible jargon.  Leanne shares her own experiences, which allow the reader to feel better understood and validated. 
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This book would be helpful to teens and adults who are wondering if they are ADHD, as well as those who have been diagnosed.  It’s also valuable for the people supporting a ADHDer – their family, partner and friends. It’s a book for professionals who want to gain greater insight into, and compassion for, what life can be like for an ADHDer and what can help, without being too prescriptive.  I felt that I developed a deeper understanding of ADHD by reading this book. It can be easy sometimes to hold a stereotype of ADHD and how we think it affects someone. It can also often be easy to underestimate how a difficulty (or difference) with inattention for example, can influence many areas of life and functioning, such as being in a loving relationship.  ADHD can sometimes influence daily life in ways that are not so obvious!

This book encourages the ADHD reader to really learn about their ADHD and then take a proactive stance to finding strategies that may help with (or prevent) difficult situations, and help tasks become more doable.  It is empowering and gives lots of different ideas and choices for strategies to try.
 
Review by:
Dr Helen Rodwell, Consultant Clinical Psychologist
Co-author of: Parenting with Theraplay; An Introduction to Autism for Adoptive and Foster Families; CoramBaaf Good Practice Guide on Supporting the Mental Health of Looked After and Adopted Children. 

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