Parenting Your Child with ADHD: A No-Nonsense Guide for Nurturing Self-Reliance and Cooperation

201 Pages·2012·0.88 MB·English

by  Craig Wiener EdD

“If you have picked up this book, you are probably frustrated and looking
for some answers. After teaching parenting for over 30 years, this is by far
the most helpful, practical book I have read on ADHD. If you are tired of
yelling, threatening, taking away privileges, and bribing, then this book is
a must-read.”
—Kathryn Kvols, author of Redirecting Children’s Behavior and
president of the International Network for Children and Families
“A practical, non-judgmental guide for parents seeking an alternative to
medication.”
—L. Alan Sroufe, PhD, professor at the Institute of Child
Development, University of Minnesota, and author of
The Development of the Person
“I highly recommend this book for all educators who are seeking alterna-
tive methods to work with students who test the boundaries of behavior.
Craig B. Wiener gives us examples and insights to assist us in understand-
ing why and how some children who were previously described as having
“conditions” can be worked with using techniques that can modify unac-
ceptable behaviors. This book supports the Montessori method, which
also endorses doing the hard work necessary to help the child for the long
term. I suggest to anyone interested in positive results to put in the time
and effort with methods that are outlined in Wiener’s new book.”
—Christine Kovago, director at Pincushion Hill Montessori School

Parenting
Your Child
with ADHD
A No-Nonsense Guide
for Nurturing Self-Reliance
and Cooperation
CRAIG B. WIENER, E D
d
New Harbinger Publications, Inc.
Publisher’s Note
This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to
the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged
in rendering psychological, financial, legal, or other professional services. If expert assistance or
counseling is needed, the services of a competent professional should be sought.
Distributed in Canada by Raincoast Books
Copyright © 2012 by Craig B. Wiener
New Harbinger Publications, Inc.
5674 Shattuck Avenue
Oakland, CA 94609
www.newharbinger.com
All Rights Reserved
Acquired by Jess O’Brien; Cover design by Amy Shoup;
Edited by Will DeRooy; Text design by Tracy Carlson

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Wiener, Craig.
Parenting your child with ADHD : a no-nonsense guide for nurturing self-reliance and
cooperation / Craig B. Wiener.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN 978-1-60882-396-3 (pbk. : alk. paper) -- ISBN 978-1-60882-397-0 (pdf e-book)
-- ISBN 978-1-60882-398-7 (epub)
1. Attention-deficit-disordered children. 2. Attention-deficit-disordered children--Be-
havior modification. 3. Parenting. I. Title.
RJ506.H9W523 2012
618.92’8589--dc23
2012024164
In memory of my parents, Morton and Beatrice
To my wife, Patricia, and sons, Scott and Casey

We were preparing for the Monday evening ADHD clinic. The first person
to register was the mother of a boy about five years old. Sporting a T- shirt
that advertised, “Here comes trouble!” he darted about in the reception area.
As we tried to settle the family in the office, the mother, looking tired and
discouraged, started to tell us the boy’s story. While we attended to her,
“Trouble” snatched a jar of pencils and pens off a table and watched them
spill on the floor. He monitored his mother’s look of helplessness and smirked.
The therapist and I exchanged glances, and the mother burst into tears.
— Rosemary Quagan

Contents
Acknowledgments ix
Introduction 1
1
So Your Child Has an ADHD Diagnosis 3
2
Understanding ADHD Behavior as Reinforced 13
3
The Five Reinforcements for ADHD Behavior 27
4
Ten Guiding Principles to Reduce
ADHD Behavior 43
5
Teaching Your Child Self- Care 75
6
Reducing ADHD Behavior in the Family 101
7
Managing ADHD Behavior Away from Home 127
8
Adjusting Your Child to School 143
9
Two Important Obstacles You May Face 169
Resources 179
References 181