Flipping ADHD on Its Head

Commonly held belief that ADHD is a mental disorder. (It's not - it's a neurological problem.)
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). Sometimes the case studies sounded a bit like an infomercial ("He soon experienced surprise at his own brain's ability and has now begun to confidently put his brain to work.").

But this is definitely a must-read for parents who are struggling with a child's ADHD diagnosis.

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 Aouth 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.

I wish this book had been there when my son was diagnosed at age 5. I read everything available at the time and went to the doctor and the school armed with a ton of questions as to how to help my son. This book is so informative and I want to share the information with everyone struggling to get the help they need. I highly recommend this book.

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.

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!

When I grew up, ADHD wasn’t as prevalent. Over the years, I’ve seen it described as a problem, a benefit, and as an excuse to misbehave. I wanted to read this book to better understand how I could be helpful to the people I know with ADHD.

After providing background information and statistics about ADHD, Dr. Jim Poole goes into sharing how it can be focused and seen as a strength. For years, kids with ADHD have been viewed as having below average learning abilities. However, Dr. Poole aims to change that view, and show that they just need guidance, structure, and patience. He gives easy to follow advice for helping your child see themselves as capable of learning and being successful.

If you have children, or work with children, who have been diagnosed with ADHD, better called Fastbraiin in the book, Flipping ADHD on its Head can give you a good start on helping them do better in life and school.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

As an adult with ADHD, and children with different degrees of ADHD and ASD. I love the book cover and very well titled. The author has a full understanding of ADHD and has an ability to write it simply for someone who has ADHD and thorough exact information can be overwhelming. I highly recommend that anyone should read the book to understand what ADHD is and how to help others with it. I certainly will keep this book handy for when I need to keep myself in the knowledge to understand and be able to help improve myself and my boys

I received an advanced reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

This is an amazing book that really does make a great deal of sense.
Dr Jim seems to see and treat all of his patients with diversity and equality and I agree entirely with what he has explained and stated throughout this book.
You really must read this book, it really does alter your mind set in relation to ADHD.

Flipping ADHD on its Head is an excellent book! I like it, and I wish I had read it sooner. I think every parent with an ADHD child should read this. To better understand their child and learn how they can help him or her to do better in school and life. Not only to be better but to thrive.

I like an idea about a positive diagnosis: your brain works faster vs. you have ADHD. Positive vs. negative context is another great idea on how to look more positive on the challenges of ADHD.

Flipping ADHD on Its Head is enlightening and informative and will undoubtably be an important resource to many people with ADHD and parents with ADHD children. The book covers so many aspects that can have an effect (e.g. memory exercises and diet) and is both practical and constructive throughout, but also incredibly empathetic and encouraging to those struggling to find ways to manage and thrive with their ADHD. Overall, a fantastic read and resource.