This post is a continuation of my previous post reviewing The AD/HD Book: Answers to Parents' Most Pressing Questions, by Beth Ann Hill and James Van Haren.

This book is very sympathetic to the parents of children with ADHD and recognizes that most of us are trying our best to help our children, instead of the prevailing view in the world that parents of children with ADHD somehow caused the situation. Hill poses the question, "Does bad parenting cause AD/HD?" Here's her answer:

Experts disagree about the role of parenting as a risk factor in developing AD/HD. In a 1995 study, researchers found that parents of AD/HD children are often too controlling and instrusive in their children's lives.

That's kind of ironic, don't you think, considering most people who think ADHD is caused by bad parenting blame it on a lack of control as opposed to too much control.

She continues:

However, other studies suggest that parents of AD/HD children are more controlling and intrusive because they have to be. These experts suggest that parents are responding to their AD/HD child's behavior rather than causing it. (p. 11)

Amen, sister! I know that many of my friends think I'm too controlling of Little J's behavior. That maybe my expectations are too high. But I know that if I didn't set very tight parameters, if I didn't make the boundaries really clear and provide him with structure that all h*ll would break loose. I've seen how that kind of parenting works for kids without attention and impulsivity issues and I haven't been impressed by the results.

The only thing I didn't like about this book is that is summarily dismisses any ADHD treatment that's outside the norm. It's very pro-medication, which I think is fine, but it basically says that complimentary treatments like nutrition or supplements or biofeedback, etc. is baloney. For that reason I'd suggest reading this book along with a book I previously reviewed, Delivered from Distraction, which gives an overview of the disorder and includes treatment options to compliment traditional stimulant medication.