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Reviewed by Amy M. O’Quinn

As a parent, I’ve never had to deal with any of my children having ADD or AD/HD symptoms. However, as a former elementary classroom teacher, I worked with several students who did. And honestly, there were many times when I did not know how to effectively cope with the challenges these children faced on a daily basis. I just didn’t understand the complexities and sensitivities of ADD and AD/HD, or how much positive reinforcement my students actually needed.

Kerin Bellak-Adams’s book, AD/HD Success! Solutions for Boosting Self-Esteem is a resource that will help students, parents, and teachers and give them the tools and strategies for managing the myriad of feelings and challenges associated with ADD and AD/HD with success. It is actually structured in a daily diary format for ages 7-17, and there are also encouraging and inspirational quotes throughout the text to promote a ‘can-do’ attitude among students.

Ms. Bellak-Adams is a former one-on-one teacher of children with ADD and AD/HD, and she became aware of the sensitivities of children and how easily they respond to positive reinforcement. She realized that their self-esteem needed to be boosted and then maintained through the recognition of accomplishments. Therefore, her book is a guide that presents a unique and practical method to help the children (and the adults in their lives) achieve these goals.

I really like the diary format because it helps the students give an honest response about how they feel AND what they need. It also gives the parents and insightful view of how their children feel about themselves, levels of motivation and self-esteem, and it opens communication between parent and child. These techniques can help children with ADD and AD/HD reach their full potential.

Although I don’t have a child with ADD or AD/HD, I thought Ms. Bellak-Adams’s book was candid and thought-provoking. Awareness is a key component in dealing with any problem or situation, and I felt the author did a fantastic job of putting the hammer on the head of the nail. I also think this resource is good for any parent! I want to ‘parent with purpose,’ and as I read through the pages, I kept asking myself if I was really focused on my children’s activities, routines, and thought patterns—all with any eye to accountability and positive reinforcement.

I really liked the author’s emphasis on helping children become aware of their strengths and cheering them on for their progress and things they do right. Encouragement is so important! So yes, although this book is geared to children with ADD and AD/HD, the practical ideas and awareness strategies are perfect for all parents and teachers. But for students who do have these disorders, AD/HD Success! is an outstanding and must-have resource. The checklists and diary pages are perfect for helping children and parents (and teachers) stay on track—and communicate! Well done and highly recommended!

Title: AD/HD Success! Solutions for Boosting Self-Esteem The Diary Method (Ages 7-17)
Author: Kerin Bellak Adams
Publisher: Loving Healing Press (January 15, 2010)
ISBN-10: 1615990240
ISBN-13: 978-1615990245

Ms. Bellak-Adams is a highly respected expert in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) as well as a certified life coach through the International Coaching Federation. The daughter of renowned psychoanalyst/pioneer in ADD and schizophrenia, (Dr. Leopold Bellak), Kerin has often been compared to him in her drive, passion, and insights that help those coping with AD/HD challenges. She has a vast range of experience in working with children and adults with AD/HD. Her dedication to helping others has earned her the respect of such experts in the field as Dr. Edward Hallowell, (author of Driven to Distraction) Dr. Russell Barkley, Dr. Stanley Greenspan, (Dyslexia specialist) and psychiatrists at the NY/NJ Child Study Center.

Kerin is the author of AD/HD Success! Solutions to Boosting Self-Esteem: The Diary Method, Ages 7-17, published by Loving Healing Press, Inc. She is a sought-after speaker who has spoken at the NYSE to parents of special needs, to the Marriot Marquis in NYC, as well as dozens of other organizations, and schools. She has been quoted in such newspapers as the Bergen Record, the Jerusalem Post and other publications.

A successful entrepreneur, Kerin is President and founder of Reach Beyond ADD, LLC, and the President of CPS Publishing Corp ., which distributes personality assessment tests, created by Dr. Leopold Bellak. She is also a graduate of Hofstra University, American Coaching Association, and Fast Track Coaching.

Kerin’s warmth and innovative questioning along with dashes of humor have been the baseline for her coaching methodology. Often referred to as a “can-opener”, she creatively allows and motivates people to go beyond their limitations and tap into their inner sources of strength. With her years of experience she has earned the reputation of igniting sparks from within, leading to many “Ah-ha!” moments as people begin to fulfill their potential. Her overall goal is for people to not only gain a basket of concepts and strategies, but to also become independent as they absorb her passion, persistence and patience.