Wohoo! My ADHD book won the GOLD!

I am sooo excited and delighted that my book, ADHD: Non-medication Treatments & Skills for Children and Teens won the GOLD award in psychology in the 29^th annual Benjamin Franklin awards.

Over 150 librarians, booksellers, and design and editorial experts – most of whom have decades of book industry experience – judge the books submitted to the IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards™.  And my book won the gold!! Yes, I know I said that already.  Just thrilled, that’s all.

From close to 1,400 entries, one gold winner (my book) was named in each of fifty-five categories (mine won the gold in Psychology). Silver winners were also named in each category. For nearly 30 years, the IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards™ have been regarded as one of the highest national honors for small and independent publishers.

It feels amazing and awesome to have my work recognized and validated!

The truth is that there is a darn good reason why this book won the gold! This is an amazingly helpful book. Everyone who parents a child or teen with ADHD or who counsels, coaches or teaches a child or teen with ADHD will undoubtedly find something incredibly helpful in this book and should have their own copy.

To find out more about the book check out this video.

** Check out the Concentration Summary below the Table of Contents for 10 great ways to improve concentration.

Bonus:  There is a link printed in the book that gives you a free pdf download of all the worksheets in the book so you can print them out and use them.

Here’s what’s in the book:

ADHD: Non-medication Treatments & Skills for Children and Teens A Workbook for Clinicians and Clients with 162 Tools, Techniques, Activities and Worksheets

Table of Contents

Section I

Introduction

Introduction:

Chapter 1: Why This Book Is Needed.

What’s Different About This Book?

How to Use This Book

Section II

Assessment and Diagnosis

Chapter 2: Tools for Making an Accurate Diagnosis.

Tool 2-1: DSM-5R Diagnostic Criteria

Tool 2-2: Structured Intake Assessment

Tool 2-3: QEEG

Tool 2-4: TOVA and IVA

Tool 2-5: ADHD Neurobiology and Brain Imaging

Tool 2-6: ADHD: Executive Function Dysregulation

Tool 2-7: ADHD Mimics and Contributors

Tool 2-8: Comorbid Disorders

Section III

Tools for Tracking Progress

Chapter 3: Track Treatment Progress: Set the Stage for Success.

Tool 3-1: Define Treatment Goals

Tool 3-2: Symptom Tracking

Section IV

Psychotherapy for ADHD

Chapter 4: Tailoring Psychotherapy for ADHD.

Tool 4-1: Confidentiality, Engagement and Buy-In

Tool 4-2: Guidelines for Sessions with Children and Teens with ADHD

Tool 4-3: What Works and What Doesn’t For ADHD

Tool 4-4: Ingredients of Effective Psychotherapy Sessions

Section V

Skills to Manage and Improve ADHD Symptoms

Chapter 5: Tools for Emotional/Behavioral Regulation.

Tool 5-1: Improve Self-esteem, Depression, Anxiety

Tool 5-2: Replace Those ANTs (Automatic Negative Thoughts)

Chapter 6: Tools for Improving Core Symptoms of ADHD.

Tool 6-1: Improve Concentration

Tool 6-2: Tame Hyperactivity and Impulsivity

Chapter 7: Parenting Skills Tailored for ADHD.

Tool 7-1: Parenting Skills

Chapter 8: Tools for Teaching Social Skills.

Tool 8-1: Why Teach Social Skills?

Tool 8-2: Mindful Greeting

Tool 8-3: Let’s Listen Game

Tool 8-4: Role Play Game for Social Skills

Tool 8-5: Play Dates for Social Skills

Chapter 9: Tools for Improving Organizational Skills.

Tool 9-1: Systems for Organizing Time, Space and Activity

Tool 9-2: Site of Performance Skills and Systems

Tool 9-3: Headphones

Section VI

Treatments That Improve Self-Regulation

Chapter 10: Neurofeedback.

Tool 10-1: Neurofeedback and the Treatment Process

Tool 10-2: How to Become a Neurofeedback Practitioner

Chapter 11: Mindfulness Skills for Children and Teens with ADHD.

Tool 11-1: Define Mindfulness

Tool 11-2: Connect Mindfulness Research with Benefits for Client’s Condition

Tool 11-3: Mindfulness of Intention for ADHD

Tool 11-4: Basic Relaxation Breath

Tool 11-5: Mindfulness of Surroundings

Tool 11-6: Mindfulness of Task

Tool 11-7: Body Scan for Children and Teens

Tool 11-8: Balancing Chips Game

Tool 11-9: Mindful Movement

Tool 11-10: Meditation for Concentration

Tool 11-11: Core Practice

Tool 11-12: Mindfulness Glitter Bottle

Tool 11-13: Changing the Channel

Tool 11-14: Bring Attention To The Present Moment

Section VII

Complementary Therapies

Chapter 12: Coaching.

Tool 12-1: ADHD Coaching

Chapter 13: Frontal Lobe/Working Memory Training.

Tool 13-1: Brain Gym™

Tool 13-2: Interactive Metronome™

Chapter 14: Vestibular/Cerebellar Exercises.

Tool 14-1: Sensory Integration Therapy

Tool 14-2: Learning Breakthrough Program™

Chapter 15: Movement to Optimize Brain Function.

Tool 15-1: Movement Techniques for ADHD

Chapter 16: Calming the Arousal State.

Tool 16-1: Physical Body Work

Section VIII

Environmental Influences

Chapter 17: Effects of Screen Time on Attention.

Tool 17-1: Assess and Limit Screen Time

Chapter 18: Environmental Toxins.

Tool 18-1: Second-hand Smoke

Tool 18-2: Lead Poisoning

Tool 18-3: Chemical Sensitivity

Section IX

Nutrition for the ADHD Brain

Chapter 19: Common Food Sensitivities May Mimic or Increase ADHD Symptoms.

Tool 19-1: Is Sugar the Culprit?

Tool 19-2: Food Additives

Tool 19-3: Reading Food Labels

Tool 19-4: Food Allergies/Sensitivities

Chapter 20: Healthy ADHD Diet.

Tool 20-1: Common Mineral and Fatty Acid Deficiencies

Tool 20-2: Optimal Diet for ADHD

Tool 20-3: Supplements/Nutraceuticals

Section X

Sleep and ADHD

Chapter 21: Assess and Improve Sleep.

Tool 21-1: The Impact of Sleep on ADHD and Vice Versa

Tool 21-2: Setting Up the Bedroom

Tool 21-3: Getting to Bed on Time

Tool 21-4: Staying in Bed

Tool 21-5: Falling Asleep

Tool 21-6: Getting Up in the Morning

Section XI

Strategies for Success at School

Chapter 22: School and ADHD.

Tool 22-1: Getting the School Involved

Tool 22-2: Organizational Strategies for Homework

References

Here’s a sample from the book – a summary of some great ways to improve concentration. Each of these topics is explored in more detail in the book.  Remember, there is a link printed in the book that provides you with a free pdf of all the worksheets in the book so you can print them out and use them with children and teens.

Improve Concentration – Summary

Environment: 

• Set up a distraction- free homework space
• Simplify and eliminate the stuff in the bedroom
• Limit distraction from the TV, computers, tablets, phones and traffic from other family members
• Request a distraction- free environment at school and at work

 Headphones or Earbuds:

• Wear headphones or earbuds while doing a task to reduce distractibility
• Use headphones with or without music to block out sound

Determine Attention Span:

• Figure out how long you can hold your attention to tasks by setting a timer when you start a project or homework and notice how much time has passed as soon as you realize you are distracted
• Divide tasks into chunks that did not exceed this time and use an alarm to alert you to take a short break

 Alarms and Timers: 

• Use tools such as alarms and timers and apps to help stay on task

 Distractibility Delay: 

• Write down distractions when they emerge as opposed to impulsively acting on them

 Mindfulness Skills: 

• Learn and practice mindfulness skills that teach the brain to stay focused

Neurofeedback: 

• Use Neurofeedback to improve concentration

Complementary Therapies: 

• Get regular exercise
• Work with an ADHD coach
• Incorporate Brain Gym movements into your day
• Use Interactive Metronome to improve timing
• Assess Sensory Integration issues and treat if present
• Use massage, chiropractic, acupuncture for general calming

Sleep:

• Figure out if you are getting enough sleep
• Remove activities from bedroom
• Go to bed and get up at the same time every day
• Use an alarm to remember to get to bed on time

Zinc and Ferritin:

• Test for zinc and ferritin deficiencies
• Consider supplementation if low

Here’s what others are saying about the book:

“A brilliant, practical compendium of tools, resources, ideas and techniques to help children who have ADHD without using medication. Well-researched and clearly written, this book is a gem!” —Edward Hallowell, MD, author, psychiatrist and international expert on ADHD

“Medication which should be a last resort for kids with ADHD, has become the first and often the only offered treatment. This speaks to the crucial importance of Debra Burdick’s latest book, ADHD: Non-Medication Treatments and Skills for Children and Teens. The book offers 162 techniques, tips, activities and resources that can be used instead of medication to manage and moderate the worst ADHD symptoms. I highly recommend this book for parents, either dealing with a new ADHD diagnosis in a child or for those who wish to try another option other than medication.” —Dale Archer, MD, psychiatrist and NY Times bestselling author of Better Than Normal and The ADHD Advantage

Get your copy here! ADHD: Non-medication Treatments and Skills for Children and Teens

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Tags: ADHD, ADHD and sleep, adhd treatment, concentration, How to fall asleep, Mindfulness, neurofeedback, Sleep