Product Description

Since 1999, parents and teachers have relied on Dr. David Stein's groundbreaking book Ritalin Is Not the Answer as a resource to help them work with hyperactive children who have been diagnosed with attention deficit disorder (ADD) or attention deficit with hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Now the same principles and tools of the acclaimed Caregivers' Skill Program that Dr. Stein outlined in Ritalin Is Not the Answer are present in this easy-to-use companion workbook. Filled with self-tests, specific step-by-step guidelines, checklists, and exercises, Ritalin Is Not the Answer Action Guide offers a healthy, comprehensive behavioral program that has been proven to work!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #527868 in Books
• Published on: 2002-03-05
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 208 pages

Review
"...offers a way in which parents/carers can enable children and young people to take control of their behaviour..." (Youth & Policy, No. 83)

“…offers a way in which parents/carers can enable children and young people to take control of their behaviour…” (Youth & Policy, No. 83)

Review
"Offers parents of children diagnosed with ADD or ADHD an entire program for improving behavior and raising performance-without resorting to drugs. Dr. Stein offers much good practical advice."
—Washington Times

"As a practicing pediatrician, I have been using Dr. Stein's book Ritalin is Not the Answer as an alternative to medication, and I have achieved great success with parents who prefer a non-medication approach.... Once you see results, as I have, your views on ADD/ADHD will inevitably begin to change."
—DuBose Ravenel, M.D., Cornerstone Pediatrics, Highpoint, North Carolina

"Shows Ritalin, a drug commonly used to treat ADHD in millions of young children, to be a dangerously addictive drug.... Anyone who acts as a caregiver for elementary-aged children diagnosed with ADHD should consider this perspective."
—Youth Today

From the Publisher
"Offers parents of children diagnosed with ADD or ADHD an entire program for improving behavior and raising performance-without resorting to drugs. Dr. Stein offers much good practical advice." -- Washington Times

"As a practicing pediatrician, I have been using Dr. Stein's book Ritalin is Not the Answer as an alternative to medication, and I have achieved great success with parents who prefer a non-medication approach . . . . Once you see results, as I have, your views on ADD/ADHD will inevitably begin to change." -- DuBose Ravenel, M.D., Cornerstone Pediatrics, Highpoint, North Carolina

"Shows Ritalin, a drug commonly used to treat ADHD in millions of young children, to be a dangerously addictive drug . . . . Anyone who acts as a caregiver for elementary-aged children diagnosed with ADHD should consider this perspective." -- Youth Today

Customer Reviews

Stein Ignores the Research
If you are looking for sound advice and information, try something more current and balanced. If you are looking to support a preconceived opinion that AD/HD is not real, and that ritalin is used merely to control normal and active children, you may not need this book. You are already convinced.

I am a 37 year old mother of five children (ages 9-16) and a master's degree seminary student. I recently borrowed this from my school's library while working on a research paper. I find that Dr. Stein uses fallacious reasoning and scare tactics to promote his ideas. His writing is sarcastic and disrespectful towards parents, teachers, physicians, psychologists, and researchers. Furthermore, his work is poorly supported, and the research he cites is extremely out of date. Out of 54 total sources (which is very few for such an ambitious book), only 16 are less than ten years old, and none are peer-reviewed research on AD/HD. In contrast, there were 12, 077 results in an academic search database (searched today) for the keywords: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Surely Dr. Stein could have used a few of those to support his arguments. He asserts his opinion as a supposed counterpoint to a conspiracy of highbrow drug pushers. His arguments are similar to all conspiracy theorists.

AD/HD is one of the most heavily researched psychological disorders. Between June 1, 2008 and July 2, 2008 there were 131 peer-reviewed scientific journal articles published. Dr. Stein argues that the motivation for research on this disorder is primarily driven by the greed of drug companies. He fails to tell us that AD/HD is shown to increase many risk factors, especially when untreated, for dangerous and criminal behavior in teens and adults. It is also associated with other concerns that affect quality of life throughout the lifespan. AD/HD is not only a personal problem, it is a public health problem. The nation of Canada recommends that all teenage drivers diagnosed with AD/HD use stimulant medication while driving, because the scientific research is so strong that the drug reduces risk taking and traffic collisions in AD/HD drivers. These are real and supportable concerns that are not about control, but health and safety.

Children and adults with significant AD/HD need real treatment from competent practitioners: psychiatrists, counselors, therapists, and clinical social workers. Parents of children with AD/HD need support and help, not advice such as, "These children lack the essential values needed to sustain them through each school day and through the long educational years. School work isn't easy. ... Parents must instill a love of learning and education to curtain a child's inattention and misbehavior in school" (p. 37). Dr. Stein informs us that children with AD/HD simply aren't trying hard enough because their parents haven't properly instilled the value of education and a love of learning. This is a completely unsupported statement, both in research and practice with AD/HD families. It is also extremely harmful thinking that may escalate the tensions often found in families that deal with this disorder.

It must be acknowledged, however, that Dr. Stein speaks to the problem of wrong diagnoses and poor treatment choices. It is true that many other disorders can look like AD/HD (e.g., allergies) and diagnosis must be made carefully in order to determine the best treatment plan. Furthermore, once a treatment method has been selected, it must be monitored carefully and adjusted until optimal. Both pharmaceutical and behavioral interventions are appropriate and often beneficial. AD/HD diagnosed individuals should not be denied appropriate treatment due to the extremes on either side of the argument.

A real eye opener
This book was a real eye opener. It actually had a frightening tone to its information - that I'm sure was designed to grasp the attention of the reader who most likely is a parent with questions about the drug Ritalin. It was useful. Everyone with "active" children should read it before doing the extreme.

Talk about transformation!
Do you want to be blown away by the straight-forward truth. Our child was out of control, dominating every situation we were in - it was all about him and his inability to see others. Inattentive, can't focus, getting F's in school, only because ....(the list is endless), this book lays out how to get your child on the right tract so he/she can be a contributer to society and not take from everyone.


This book spells out what our Grandparents knew and could not tell us. No more drugs, no more psycologist office visits, no more check lists and prizes, no more manipulation and bargaining; 'let your yes be a yes! and your no be a no!'
This book teaches us parents how to use gentle, firm, consistent tones so anxiety is not produced in these children.
This book talks about the way some children receive information; what are we doing as parents???? This book is not for cowards. If you are a parent who is easily influenced, this book is not for you, it is a wake up call to how we as parents parent.

Our child just received his report card...I want to cry because I am so greatful for the transformation. He received almost all A's and some B's. He can now actually draw a picture with detail. Before he would scrible on an assignment and say, "I'm done." I follow Dr. Stein's recommendations and have found peace. Our son's brothers and sister now have a friend and not a bully for a brother. It is truly amazing.