Book Description Review ”In tennis, there is nothing more critical than understanding, developing, and applying one’s strengths toward success. If I were to take everything I know about coaching youth and apply it to parenting an ADHD child, this book would be it. High praise to Dr. Jim for Flipping ADHD on Its Head.” —Chuck Kriese, ACC’s winningest coach, coach of the U.S. Junior Davis Cup team”Having combatted the devastating stigma and difficult challenges of mental health for over 30 years within my own family, I could not be more thrilled to see Dr. Jim finally getting this message out to the world. Flipping ADHD on Its Head is a welcome addition to the cause and the first book I’d recommend to any parent struggling with an ADHD child. Dr. Jim’s approach gives so much hope to an area that has often been hopeless. Bless you, Dr. Jim, for this gift to the world.” —Van Eure, International Restaurateur of the Year, Chair Walk for Hope”I’ve read several books by physicians and clinicians about ADHD for patients and families. This is at the top of my list.” Mark Simms, MD, Director of Children’s Hospital in Wisconsin “Having a FastBraiin in a Chevrolet world can be quite challenging. Dr. Jim has figured out a way to take what many doctors and people consider a handicap and turn it into an asset! This book will be life-changing for families all over our country!” Barry Foote, Entrepreneur, former MLB Player and Coach “This informative book provides awareness and understanding along with skills and strategies for parents of ADHD children . . . The specific strategies and concrete suggestions for helping ADHD children become successful learners, along with Dr. Jim’s encouragement and positivity, result in a valuable resource for parents.” Diane Payne, principal, educator, author “Whether you are a mom, or a dad, or a teacher, or just somebody interested in learning about this fascinating condition, Dr. Jim is your man.” —Edward Hallowell, MD, coauthor of Driven to Distraction Read more About the Author Jim Poole, MD FAAP, clinical associate of Duke Health, founded FastBraiin in 2010 on the premise that individuals with ADHD have unique strengths in athletics, business, engineering, medicine, sales, the arts, and the classroom-wherever a quick and adaptable brain shines. Dr. Jim’s understanding of ADHD and the method of FastBraiin is the culmination of over 40 years of professional experience-listening to, learning from, and caring for ADHD children, youth, and adults. Dr. Jim graduated from Clemson University and the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, SC, completed his pediatric residency at William Beaumont Army Medical Center in El Paso, TX, served as Chief of Pediatrics at the Army hospital in Stuttgart, Germany, and founded his current practice, Growing Child Pediatrics in Raleigh, NC. Today, Growing Child Pediatrics is an affiliate of Duke Health and one of the largest pediatric practices in North Carolina. Read more Customers Review: I “flipped my parenting” and just like that *snaps fingers* by implementing JUST two tiny tips of the advice from the beginning of this this book yesterday and today it’s like night and day here. No tantrums and/or yelling getting the kiddo off to school both yesterday and today. Our mornings are stressed and some days tearfilled practically every morning. Even bedtime yesterday was a breeze. I’m completely gobsmacked because none of it was difficult to implement. It just took some simple forthought about what came out of my mouth and what expressions I wore on my face. I agree with the author everything that I was doing before was working against my poor kid and not for him. I see him differently now. I have greater empathy for his struggles and have learned to focus on what’s important. By tempering my anxiety over his behavior (I never know what he’s going to do or say next) and eliminating the criticism (I thought it was direction but this book helped me to see that I was in fact critical). I can’t recommend this book enough, while my son’s challenges aren’t academic this book is still chocked full of goodness. Even if I stopped reading right now, it’s already changed our lives for the better.
Flipping ADHD on Its Head by Dr. Jim Poole needs to be required reading for parents, doctors, teachers, and school administrators—in short anyone who works with kids and particularly with kids who have ADHD. Readers will notice right away that Dr. Poole emphasizes focusing on the positives of ADHD instead of considering it a negative liability or disability. Specifically, Dr. Poole wants people to rethink the impulsivity, distractibility, and hyperactivity common to ADHD as creativity, curiosity, and energy. He has coined the term Fastbraiin (yes the “i” appears twice) to describe the philosophy and approach to treating ADHD used in his South Carolina clinics and now available in his book.Dr. Poole emphasizes two main things in his book. The first is that positivity is so important in working with children with ADHD. Dr. Poole provides evidence that individuals with ADHD receive so many more negative messages which pull them down and make them feel defeated. Anyone who is in a classroom or works with kids will be familiar with the refrain of “Johnny, pay attention! Johnny, look at me! Johnny, sit on your bottom!” over and over. Dr. Poole provides information on how to rephrase items as a positive message that doesn’t squelch excitement and energy but helps to harness it. After setting up the positives of ADHD and why positivity is so important in our interactions, Dr. Poole moves on to a series of chapters on “Flipping” all aspects of life including parenting, education, exercise, rest, nutrition, and medication. He emphasizes that children with ADHD need to be taught how to study and utilize their unique strengths. Dr. Poole has pretty much distilled his “Fastbraiin” formula into the pages of the book.Reading Dr. Poole’s recommendations, my thoughts were this makes sense and this will require a lot of time and energy to implement. Following this formula would not be an easy process but implementing even a portion will have huge dividends. My only reservation was the emphasis on using the specific supplements available through his clinic. Although geared specifically towards people with ADHD, anyone would benefit from incorporating these suggestions. So, if you or someone you love has ADHD—read this book! If that doesn’t describe you, read the book anyway to help your brain and body work even better!Disclosure of Material Connection: I received Flipping ADHD on Its Head via NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Dr. Jim Poole has a fresh, new perspective that has completely gotten me thinking of new ways to approach my children’s education and habits at home. FastBrain is a positive spin on an often negative diagnosis.Honestly, this book hits really close to home. I have struggled for years with associates, family and school teachers/administrators writing off my children due to their ADHD diagnoses; being told I am a bad parent not disciplining my children enough to cure their bad behavior. Some school years have been wonderful with caring teachers willing to take the time to learn how my children respond; others a nightmare with constant calls to the office and school suspensions for behavior. Let’s not start on the frustrating task of chores and homework or even simple conversations. I have seen how a simple comment can affect my children’s mindset and destroy motivation. It breaks my heart to see my sons shut down at this point but I have found so many supportive ideas and new approaches here to help my tired and frustrated self to further encourage them to grow and excel. Thank you for this support!
Attention Deficit Disorder. The name itself is full of negativity – “deficit” and disorder”. Dr. Jim Poole prefers the term “FastBraiin” (yes, two “i”s). He believes in emphasizing the strengths of the so-called “disorder”, rather than the problems. Without ever dismissing the difficulties for both child and their family, he offers real life ways to help cope with the situation, first and foremost being a change in perception. Rather than viewing ADHD as a problem, he encourages family members to see it as a strength. These children (and adults) are not “hyper”, they’re energetic; not impulsive, rather creative. He suggests a whole body approach to treatment, including exercise, frequent breaks from studying, nutrition adjustments and medication. I loved his analogy for explaining to children that medication isn’t a personal weakness: It allows the true self to shine, “just as running shoes help you run but don’t make you a better runner.With a 10 year old in the house who has been diagnosed with ADHD, I found the book full of encouragement and hope. It’s written in accessible prose (no long-winded medical explanations here, thankfully!).This is definitely a must-read for parents who are struggling with a child’s ADHD diagnosis. |
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