Lending Library
2004.11.25
The London Chapter owns an extensive collection of
books and videos that are available for borrowing at no cost.
Books and videos can be signed out at our regular
monthly Self-help meetings.
Following is a list books that may be of interest to
families with TS.
The library is maintained by our Librarian Linda
Johnson.
If you are from out of town
and want to borrow books or videos
contact Linda by email: lindajathome@sympatico.ca or call 519 649-5092
* indicates books available from our Chapter lending
library
# indicates books available from the London Public
Library
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Adam and the Magic Marble Adam & Carol Buehrens Published in 1991 Paperback Hope Press |
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The ADD/ADHD Checklist: An Easy reference for Parents & Teachers Sandra Rief |
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An Anthropologist on Mars: Seven Paradoxical Tales By: Oliver Sacks Published in 1995 Hardcover Random House of Canada, Limited Also Published in 1996 in Paperback |
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The Boy Who Couldn’t Stop Washing: The Experience & Treatment of Obsessi By: Judith L. Rapoport Published in 1989 260 pages review E.P. |
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Brain Lock: Free Yourself From Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder By: Jeffrey M. Schwartz, Beverly Beyette |
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Cerebral Symphony |
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Children with Tourette Syndrome: A Parents’ Guide Tracy Haerle Published in 1992 Paperback 340 pages review Monarch Books of |
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A Cursing Brain: The Histories Of Tourette Syndrome Howard I Kushner Published in 1999 Hardcover 320 pages review |
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Don't Think about Monkeys: Extraordinary Storie Adam W. Seligman, John S. Hilkevich, Oliver Sacks Published in 1992 Paperback 200 pages Hope Press |
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Don’t Say No – Just let Go: Living with Teenagers, the Power Parenting Solution Maria Von Couver |
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Don’t Shoot Yourself in the Foot Daniel G. Amen |
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Driven to Distraction: Recognizing & Coping with A.D.D. from Childhood through Edward M. Hallowell |
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Dysinhibition Syndrome: How to Handle Anger and Rage in your Child or Spouse Rose Wood Published 1999 271 pages review Hope Press |
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Echolalia: An Adult's Story of Tourette Syndrome Adam W. Seligman Published in 1991 Paperback 165 pages Hope Press |
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The Effect of Children on Parents Terry S. Trepper, Anne-Marie Ambert |
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The Explosive Child
Ross W. Greene, Ph.D.
Published in 1998
342 pages
review Harper Collins |
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The Facts |
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Firestorms in the Brain Daniel G. Amen |
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Funny, You Don't Look Crazy: Life with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Constance H. Foster |
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“H” is for Homicide |
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Handbook of Tourette’s Syndrome & Related Tic & Behavioral Disorders Roger Kurian Published in 1992 Hardcover 560 pages Marcel Kedder Incorporated |
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Helicopters, Drill Sergeants & Consultants: Parenting Styles & the Messa Jim Fay, Paule Botkin |
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Hi. I"m Adam: A Child's Book of Tourette Syndrome Adam Buehrens Published in 1991 Paperback 35 pages review Hope Press |
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Hideous, Hideous Emil Sher |
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I Can’t Stop Holly L. Niner Published in 2005 Hardcover 19 pages Albert Whitman & Company |
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I have a Friend with LD |
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I Would If I Could: A Teenager's Guide to ADHD – Hyperactivity By: Michael Gordon, Janet Jimco |
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Icy Gwyn Hyman Rubio |
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Images into the Mind Daniel G. Amen |
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Instruction Manual that should have come |
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Jumpin' Johnny Get Back to Work!: A Child's Guide to ADHD – Hyperactivity Michael Gordon |
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Just Checking Emily Colas Published in 1998 Paperback 165 pages Pocket Books |
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Kids in the Syndrome Mix of ADHD, LD, Asperger’s, Tourette’s, Bipolar and More! Martin L. Kutscher, M.D. Jessica Kingsley Publishers |
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Kids Like Me Constance F. Foster |
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Liking Myself |
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Living with Tourette's Syndrome Elaine F. Shimberg Published in 1995 Paperback 256 pages review Simon & Schuster Trade |
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The Madness of Prince Hamlet Robert M. Youngson Published in 1999 Paperback 352 pages Robinson |
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Magic Marble |
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Making Sense of Sensory Problems – Understanding Sensory Dysfunction Polly Godwin Emmons and Liz McKendry Anderson Jessica Kingsley Publishers |
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The Man who Mistook His Wife for a Hat Oliver Sacks |
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Managing Attention Deficit Disorder: A Parent’s Guide Sam Goldstein, Micheal Goldstein |
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Memoirs of a Father Michael Fekete Published in 2006 Paperback 241 pages Tourette Syndrome of |
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A Mind of Its Own: Tourette's Syndrome, a Story & a Guide Ruth D. Bruun, Bertel Brunn Published in 1994 Hardcover 192 pages review |
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Moonflower Gwynn Rubio Published in 1998 Paperback Donald I Fine Books |
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Motherless Jonathan Lethem |
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Movements & Allied Disorders in Childhood Valsamma Eapen, Mary M. Robertson |
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Music in the Midst of Chaos Jean Conklin Published Pages review Carico Press |
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My Brother's a World-Class Pain: A Sibling' Michael Gordon , Sandra F. Thomas , Janet H. Junco |
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My God and Tourettes Too R. F. Oliver |
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My Syndrome, Myself Laura Miller |
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Naked |
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Not so Secret life of Hank |
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Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Roy C |
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OCD Workbook: Your Guide to Braking Free fro Bruce Ml Hyman, Ph.D., & Cherry Pedrick, R.N. Published 1999 217 pages review New Harbinger Publications |
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OCD in Children & Adolescents: A Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment Manual Karen Mulle, John S. March |
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The Our-of-Sync Child Carol Stock Kranowitz Published 1998 |
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Parenting with Love and Magic |
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Parenting & Children's Internalization of Values: A Handbook of Con Joan E. Grusec , Leon Kuczynski |
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Parents Guide |
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Passing for Amy Wilensky Published in 1999 Hardcover 256 pages review Broadway Books |
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Polly's Magic Games: A Child's View of Obsessive-Compulsive Constance H. Foster, Edwin A. Chase |
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Prozac |
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Quit it Marcia Byalick Published in 2002 Hardcover 171 pages review Delacorte Press |
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Raising Joshua: One Mother's Story of the Challenges of Parenting a Child with Touret Sheryl J. Hamer |
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Ritalin Nation: Rapid Fire Culture and the Transformation of Human Conscio Richard DeGrandpre, Ph.D. Published 1999 284 pages review W.W. Norton & Company |
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Ryan: A Mother’s Story of Her Hyperactive Tourette Syndrome Child Susan Hughes Published in 1990 Paperback 160 pages Hope Press |
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Search for the Tourette Syndrome & Human Behavior Genes David E. Comings Published in 1996 Hardcover Hope Press also available in paperback |
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The Secrets of Successful Students – How to be your Best in School Daniel Amen |
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Shadow Syndrome |
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Shelley, The Hyperactive Turtle Deborah Moss , Carol Schwartz |
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Skull Sessions Daniel Hecht Published in 1998 Paperback 419 pages Viking Penguin |
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Stereotyped Movements: Brain & Behavior Relationships Robert L. Sprague, Karl M. Newel Published in 1996 Hardcover 211 pages American Psychological Association |
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Stick up for Yourself |
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Stop Obsessing Edna Foa |
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Strong Willed Child |
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Taking Tourette Syndrome to School Tira Krueger Published review JayJo Books |
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Teaching the Tiger: A Handbook for Individuals Involve By: Marilyn P. Dornbush, Sheryl K. Pruitt Published in 1995 Paperback 200 pages review Hope Press |
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A Teacher's Guide to Stick up for Yourself: A 10-Part Course in Self-Esteem & Gerri Johnson et al |
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Teenagers Guide to A. D. D.: Understanding & Treating Attention Disorders Through the |
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Tics and Tourettes Sheila J. Rogers Published in 2005 Paperback 303 pages Association for Comprehensive Neuro Therapy |
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Too Loud, Too Bright, Too Fast, Too Tight Sharon Heller Published 2002 Harper Collins Publishers |
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Tourette Syndrome Elaine Landau Published Hardcover |
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Tourette's Syndrome: The Facts Mary Robertson, Simon Baron-Cohen Published in 1998 Paperback 128 pages review |
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Tourette Syndrome: Finding Answers and Getting Help Mitzi Waltz Published in 2001 review O'Reilly & Associates Inc |
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Tourette Syndrome & Human Behavior David E. Comings Published in 1990 Paperback 828 pages Hope Press |
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Tourette’s Syndrome: Index of Modern Authors & Subjects with Guide f By: Jesse S. Winograd Published in 1992 Paperback 180 pages A.B.B.E. Publishers Association of |
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Tourette's Syndrome & Tic Disorders: Clinical Understanding & Treatment Donald J. Cohen Published in 1988 Hardcover 380 pages John Wiley & Sons Canada, Limited |
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Tourette's Syndrome - Tics, Obsessions, Compulsions: D Donald J. Cohen, James F. Leckman Published in 1998 Hardcover 512 pages John Wiley & Sons Canada Ltd |
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Tourette Syndrome Marlene Targ Brill Published 2002 Hardcover 112 pages Twenty-first Century Books |
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Twitch & Shout: A Touretter’s Tale Published in 1998 Paperback 256 pages Penguin Books of Canada, Limited |
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Under the Rainbow Emily Pearl Kingsley |
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Understanding Tourette Syndrome: A Guide For Clinicians Tourette Syndrome Foundation of Published 2006 Paperback 32 pages Tourette Syndrome Foundation of |
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Understanding Tourette Syndrome: A Handbook for Educators Tourette Syndrome Foundation of Published 2001 Paperback 79 pages
review Tourette Syndrome Foundation of |
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Understanding & Managing Children's Classroom Behavior Sam Goldstein, Lauren Braswell Published in 1994 Hardcover 528 pages John Wiley & Sons Canada, Limited |
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The Unwelcome Companion: An Insider's View of Tourette Syndrome Rick Fowler Published in 1996 Paperback 155 pages Silver Run Publications, Incorporated |
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Views from Our Shoes: Growing up with a Brother or Sister with- Donald J./Pillo Meyer Published in 1997 Paperback 114 pages Woodbine House |
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What Makes Ryan Tick?: A Family's Triumph over Tourette Syndrome & Attent Susan Hughes Published in 1996 Paperback Hope Press |
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What Do You Do with a Child Like This?: Creating Change in the Lives of Troubled Children L. Tobin |
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Why Do You Do That Uttom Chowdhury and Mary Robertson Published 2006 Paperback 96 pages Jessica Kingsley Publishers |
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illie – Raising and Loving a Child with Attention Deficit Disorder Ann Colin Published 1997 Hardcover 248 pages Penguin Group |
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Windows into the A. D. D. Mind: Understanding & Treating Attention Deficit Disorders Daniel G. Amen Published in 1995 review Mindworks Press |
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Worried No More Aureen Pinto Wagner, Ph.D. Published in 2002 Paperback 256 pages Lighthouse Press, Inc |
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Yes You Can!: A Guide for Parents with Disabilities Adam Nagler, Mark Nagler |
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Main Menu |
Reviews
The Boy Who Couldn’t
Stop Washing:
The Experience &
Treatment of Obses
by
Judith L. Rapoport, M.D.
Published in 1989
260 pages
E.P.
Suitable for adults, reading level about grade 9
In
The Boy Who Couldn't Stop Washing, Judith Rapoport describes several patient
stories and how their lives are affected from obsessive-compulsive disorder
(OCD). In this description, Rapoport
includes Charles's story "The Boy
Who Couldn't Stop Washing".
These stories illustrate how OCD permeates the individual's life and
alters their functioning at home, school and work and the negative impact on the
family. Most importantly, Rapoport
describes her patients with a sense of curiosity mixed with compassion and
understanding.
Rapoport writes further about the doctor's perspective about OCD, interspersing
medical information about OCD as a biochemical disorder, medications and
treatments for OCD, AIDS as an obsession, trichotillomania (hair-pulling), and
scrupulosity (religious obsessions).
What is fascinating is the section on grooming and nesting behaviors in animals,
which are highly ritualized behaviors similar to hoarding behaviors in humans.
In the last section of the book, Rapoport includes a checklist for
Obsessions and Compulsions , a description of Obsessive-Compulsive Personality
Disorder, information about behavior
therapy and Anafranil (clomipramine), and the religious perspective on OCD.
A
suggested reference list is included for further reading.
Despite this book was written thirteen years ago, it is informative and
accurately describes the complexity of Obsessive-Compulsive disorder.
It would be much more informative if there were a current edition that
included the criteria for OCD from the DSM-IV (1994), research
about OCD (strep link), information about newer medications (Celexa,
etc.), and recent references and resources.
Reviewed by Cathy Harlan
Children with Tourette
Syndrome: A
Parents’ Guide
by: Tracy Haerle
Published in 1992
Paperback, 340 pages
Monarch Books of
"Children With Tourette Syndrome" is a comprehensive book that covers a broad
range of TS issues. Author Tracy
Haerle had pulled together both parents and professionals to author the various
chapters of the book. Topics include
an overview of TS, medical treatments, adjusting to daily life, children with TS
and their families, child development, education needs and legal rights.
The chapters on daily life by Marilynn Kaplan, children and their families by
Dr.Carl Hansen and education by Larry Burd are particularly helpful.
Ms. Kaplan takes behaviour management and applies it to TS children.
Cues and redirection become valuable tools for the TS child both at home
and at school. Dr. Hansen stresses
the importance of striving for as normal a family life as possible.
It is all too common for families to be consumed by TS and for the family
unit to revolve around the TS child while potentially neglecting the needs of
other siblings. The education needs
of children with TS range from being no different from any other child to
requiring a full IEP (individual education plan).
Mr. Burd discusses the social and academic problems that might arise for
TS kids such as difficulties with peers, phobias, handwriting, homework,
parent-school relationships and how they all contribute to finding the right
program for your child.
In
the chapter on medications and professionals, Dr. Orrin Palmer discusses the
various medical treatments commonly used for tics, CD and ADHD including
"normal" doses, side effects and effectiveness.
This particular section is somewhat outdated as there is no mention of
more recent medications such as risperidone.
He also discusses the various professionals that families may deal with.
The section on dentists was useful as it is an area that may be forgotten
until the TS child tics in the dentist chair!
The least applicable section of the book is the chapter on legal rights simply
because the chapter is written based on US laws and rights.
This having been said, similar legislation does exist in
Anyone who has read "Children With Tourette Syndrome" will agree that it is an
excellent starting point for all families and young adults.
The poignant parent statements at the end of each chapter share feelings
and experiences that many of us have encountered, particularly new parents.
They serve to reinforce the statement on the cover of the book itself
that this is, "the first book that families should read."
Reviewed by Linda Newton
A Cursing Brain: The Histories Of Tourette
Syndrome
by
Howard I Kushner
Published in 1999
Hardcover, 320 pages
A Cursing Brain,
by Howard Kushner, chronicles the history of Tourette Syndrome (TS) from
the days of Gilles de la Tourette to the present.
The book begins by examining the early work undertaken by Jean-Martin
Charcot and his intern, de la Tourette, at the Salp6tri6re Hospital in
Kushner details the ongoing reluctance of the psychiatric community to accept
that the ability of drugs such as haloperidol to treat TS strongly indicated
that there was an organic basis to the disorder.
What becomes readily apparent in the book is the relatively short time
that TS has been accepted as being a neurological disorder, despite indications
as early as 1896 that there could be an environmental trigger such as the
streptococcal bacteria. In fact, the
conflict between the French and American medical communities, as to the nature
of TS, continued into the early 1990's.
A Cursing Brain is well worth
the read for the individual who is interested in the history TS.
It not only depicts how far we have come but how far we still have to go
before we completely understand the nature of TS.
Reviewed by Linda Newton
Dysinhibition Syndrome: How to Handle Anger and Rage in your Child or
Spouse
by
Rose Wood
Published 1999
271 pages
Hope Press
Many individuals with primary neurological disorders exhibit behaviours, such as
excessive silliness, sassiness, inappropriate outbursts or rage and defiance,
that appear to stem from his or her inability to control or inhibit certain
words or actions. This lack of
inhibition transcends many disorders and is thought to result from the person's
inability to use the inhibitory process.
Rose Wood has drawn on her experience as a mother, dedicated volunteer
and social worker to categorize such behaviours into a disorder which she calls
"dysinhibition syndrome" (DS). Her
thesis is presented in the book Dysinhibition Syndrome: How to Handle Anger and
Rage in Your Child or Spouse.
Wood presents 22 criteria that she has characterised as defining the syndrome
along with a list of neurological and psychiatric disorders and behaviours
commonly seen with DS. The book
challenges the reader to re-examine many behaviours that are traditionally
associated with a spectrum of disorders that includes TS, OCD,ADD/ADHD, autism
and conduct disorders, and consider them as a separate syndrome in their own
right. To support her thesis, Wood
presents the argument that individuals suffering from Alzheimer's Disease or
closed-head brain injury frequently exhibit dysinhibited behaviour.
While she does not indicate how many of the criteria must be present to
confer a diagnosis of DS, she does state that an individual must meet the first
criteria - documentation of a primary neurological disorder.
Strategies and treatment options for managing dysinhibited behaviours and a
discussion of the problems that can result when trying to implement them are
also outlined in the book. In
addition, Wood put a personal perspective on dysinhibition in a section that
chronicles her experiences with her own family.
Dysinhibition Syndrome is a book that puts forth a new perspective on how to
define unpredictable and uncontrollable behaviour.
As such, the reader may find the need to read the book more than once to
fully comprehend its content. While
summaries at the end of each chapter are effective in capturing the key points
of each section, the reader may find it helpful to read the synopsis prior to
reading the chapter. Whether one
agrees with her premise or not, Rose Wood does present a compelling case for
"dysinhibition syndrome".
Reviewer not known
The Explosive Child
by Ross W. Greene, Ph.D.
Published in 1998
342 pages
Harper Collins
Those of us who heard Ross Greene speak at the
national conference in
Greene uses numerous examples that he calls
“drama in real life” to illustrate his approach.
He begins by stressing that all other factors must be addressed before
parents can deal with their child’s inflexible-explosive behaviour.
In other words, determine what else could be causing or contributing to
the behaviour (TS, ADD/HD, OCD, LD, anxiety and so on) and deal with it first.
The “pathways” to inflexibility-explosiveness are explored and Greene
emphasizes the first step is to provide a “user-friendly” environment for the
child. The child then needs to be
given a toolbox full of strategies to help him or her cope.
He moves on to outline his basket theory, a simple but highly effective
way to categorise behaviours that induce “meltdowns”.
The aim of “basketizing” is to classify behaviours as those worth
inducing a rage (safety), those that can be compromised in order to avoid a rage
(parental authority must remain but the how is flexible) and those that really
don’t matter and therefore are forgotten.
Greene aims for a balanced approach. He takes
care to point out that his approach may not work by itself and that ultimately,
the family is the key to helping inflexible-explosive children.
The Explosive Child is an enjoyable book that is written in simple,
non-clinical jargon. It is well
worth the read.
Reviewed by Linda Newton
Hi, I’m Adam A
Child's Story of Tourefte Syndrome
by
Adam Buehrens
Published 1991
Paperback, 35 pages
Hope Press
"Hi, I'm Adam" is Adam Buehren's story of how he sees his Tourette Syndrome.
This short book chronicles his experiences from age five until he was
diagnosed with TS in Grade Four. At
the time of writing, Adam was 10 years old.
The book is intended for children and adults alike.
It helps adults understand TS from a child's perspective starting with
the initial question of, "What is wrong?" through the years of searching for an
answer, to the relief of finally having a diagnosis.
For children, it expresses the frustrations they all face, be it trouble
at school or for some, an endless parade of doctors.
My son with TS, who is nine, had no trouble relating to Adam and his
story.
Adam's book is a "must have" resource to anyone involved in "in service"
training, school libraries and resource centres.
It is very helpful in trying to explain TS to young children,
particularly classmates. The book is
well written with hilarious illustrations accompanying the text.
It is easy for any school-aged child to understand and most children in
Grade 2 or higher should have no difficulty reading and understanding the book.
Children can also colour the pictures and write their own stories along
side Adam's.
"Hi, I'm Adam" lets any child know that it's okay to have TS and its okay to let
others know.
Reviewed by Linda Newton
Living with Tourette's Syndrome
by
Elaine F. Shimberg
Published in 1995
Paperback, 256 pages
Simon & Schuster Trade
Elaine Fantle Shimberg has worked closely with an advisory panel, many of whom
are members of the Tourette Syndrome Association, and the TSA staff to produce
"Living With Tourette Syndrome". The
back cover heralds that this book, "does much to dispel the myths about
Tourette's and provides sensible advice, comfort and hope for anyone affected by
the disorder".
The book is divided into five sections the majority of which are similar in
content to most other general books on TS.
The author covers topics such as dealing with a diagnosis of TS,
medication, stress and family reactions.
Recognizing that TS does not end with the onset of adulthood however,
Shimberg has very appropriately chosen to end her book with a substantial
section on adult issues - an area that often gets overlooked in TS literature
and at conferences.
Seven chapters are devoted to topics ranging from dating and social interaction
to workplace issues such as employment rights and interviewing for a job.
Many of us with children with TS tend to forget that they will be adults
far longer than they were ever children.
The struggle to cope with a childhood obsession or compulsion, as an
example, takes on a whole new meaning when faced with securing and holding onto
employment. Shimberg chronicles the
experiences of adults and how they are coping with their TS.
Her "real-life" stories from individuals makes "Living With Tourette
Syndrome" one of the few books published that provides a frank and practical
discussion of the trials of the adult with TS.
Shimberg concludes with a chapter on success stories in which she profiles nine
individuals from varying walks of life (many of whom the reader will recognize)
who have faced their TS with bravado and a willingness to confront the issues
rather than avoid them.
All in all, this book is a well written, comprehensive look at all aspects of
TS.
Reviewed by Linda Newton
A Mind of Its Own:
Tourette's Syndrome, a Story & a Guide
by: Ruth D. Bruun, Bertel Brunn
Published in 1994
Hardcover, 192 pages
This book is intended for the general public and all medical professionals such
as psychologists, social workers and teachers.
It provides a good introduction to the broad range of symptoms and
discusses the usual presentation and the typical responses that a person who
developed Tourette Syndrome evokes form their environment.
The first part of each chapter describes what life is like for a person
with Topurette Syndrome (the “Story”) and the second part discusses the issues
more systematically (the “Guide”)
The directions with the school and with the medical facilities described,
highlight that frequently it is the family that has to push for the correct
diagnosis. The authors have been
able to show the broad range of severity of the disorder, the variations over
time and the differences among different individuals.
Bruun and Bruun have a great deal of experience with the subject and they also
show a lot of warmth and compassion.
This book is well written, easy to read, and it provides a wealth of up-to-date
information. This publication will
be of great interest to all who are involved with Tourette Syndrome.
Reviewed by Paul Sandor, M.D., F.R.C.P.(C)
Music in the Midst of
Chaos
by
Jean Conklin Published
Carico Press
In
"Music In The Midst of Chaos" Jean Conklin shares with the reader her own
experiences of raising not just one challenged daughter but two.
In this very heart warming narrative, Mrs. Conklin writes about the
challenges that she, her husband and her two daughters face as the girls learn
to live with and successfully manage the effects of Tourette Syndrome(TS) and
Cerebral Palsy (CP) in their lives.
On
one hand this is one woman's story of dealing with a child with CP and another
developmentally delayed child, Trista, who happens to have TS.
On the other hand, this story offers universal insights into experiences
that are shared by many parents of exceptional children.
From Trista's difficulty in diagnosis, in
school and her parents' disappointment with the medication that is prescribed to
her, to issues surrounding vocational training, this book offers wonderful
insights into issues that effect many of our readers.
You'll identify with many feelings expressed by Mrs. Conklin especially
with the frustrations of dealing with both the school system and certain
teachers when advocating for the rights of her children.
Mrs. Conklin offers much helpful advice both in the form of text and
helpful lists. Of particular
interest are Mrs. Conklin's versions of the Parents' Declaration of Independence
and Bill of Rights (107) and (her own) Jean's Rules for School Meetings (58).
Many of these "rules" deal with building a "personal library" of
resources from which the teacher may borrow.
Many such helpful resources can be obtained from the Tourefte Syndrome
Foundation of Canada, most notably, The Handbook for Educators.
Other helpful hints range from building a personal advocacy file to even
what to wear when meeting the teacher.
Advocacy is the main theme of this publication and many American bills
are named, however, the thoughts, feelings and advice delivered by Mrs. Conklin
transcend the boundaries of the two countries.
Mrs. Conklin's book has many other good features such as the very comprehensive
appendices, which includes lists of famous people with TS as well as myths about
TS but, perhaps, one of the most unique aspects of this book is the chapter
devoted to siblings. This chapter
includes a number of stories written by the siblings of children with
challenges, including TS. Tia,
(Trista's sister) contributes a story of which many of our readers will identify
with.
Overall, "Music in the Midst of Chaos" is a worthwhile read for the entire
family. Both parents and elder
siblings alike will e able to reap valuable information from its pages.
Reviewed by Ingrid Exner
OCD Workbook: Your Guide to Braking Free from
by
Bruce Ml Hyman, Ph.D. & Cherry Pedrick, R.N.
Published 1999
217 pages
New Harbinger Publications
Individuals and families needing a companion guide to help with the daily
struggle of combating their obsessive-compulsive behaviours need wait no longer.
Bruce Hyman and Cheryl Pedrick have joined forces to produce a well
written, well organized book that is aimed at helping individuals break free of
their obsessive-compulsive behaviours.
The OCD Workbook presents a self-directed programme based on cognitive-behaviour
therapy that is simple to follow.
The authors lead the reader through clear explanations of the nature and types
of OCD - hoarders, checkers, cleaners, orderers, etc - and the various
medications used to treat OCD.
Building on this knowledge, the reader is then given the opportunity to classify
his or her obsessions and compulsions and rate the severity of anxiety
associated with not performing the obsession or compulsion.
Hyman and Pedrick make this task easy through the use of extensive
checklists and prompts that the user can fill in as he/she proceeds.
Throughout the book, the authors stress the need to have family support involved
in helping the individual combat OCD.
The book includes sections on how to recognize OCD in children and also
how families can inadvertently reinforce OCD symptoms by helping too much.
The authors stress that the book is intended as a guide and should not be
used as a substitute for proper medical care.
It is however, an excellent tool that can be used in conjunction with
other methods to assist those with OCD in identifying, targeting and reducing
their obsessions and compulsions.
Reviewer not known
Passing for
by: Amy Wilensky
Published in 1999
Hardcover, 256 pages
Broadway Books
Passing for
Wilensky chronicles her TS from her days in ballet school, through prep school
and into university. Ironically in a
world of prep school teen-age angst, her TS made her popular.
Rather than being ridiculed for her odd behaviour, Wilensky was viewed as
a rebel by her peers - someone who dared to be different.
All the while she struggled internally with her ever growing tics and
obsessive-compulsive behaviours, trying to pass for normal yet feeling like a
fraud.
Numerous books have been written and reviewed in this newsletter but Passing for
Reviewer not known
Quit it
by
Marcia Byalick
Published in 2002
Hardcover, 171 pages
Delacorte Press
“Quit It” is a fictional story of a 12 year old girl’s first year dealing with
TS. Carrie goes through a 3 month
period of visiting doctors to finally come up with a “french” word for what’s
wrong with her. School starts in a
couple of weeks and Carrie is worried about how she will deal with school and
Tourette syndrome.
The story describes many of the problems school age children have dealing with
their peers and teachers and provides insight into Carrie’s feelings as she
copes - day by day. Remarkably,
Carrie’s parents, while understanding the diagnosis of TS, don’t know how to
interact with Carrie.
Breakthroughs are made with peers and staff at her school and most importantly,
with her mother and father and her older sister.
The story ends with Carrie continuing to deal with symptoms that affect
her “quality of life” but with those around her understanding more about what
she is going through. This makes
Carrie’s life infinitely better.
All possible symptoms of TS are never contained within one person.
This book is a very plausible story of one case of Tourette syndrome and
contains no inaccuracies. Provided
you accept that your child may have TS and exhibit none of Carrie’s symptoms, I
recommend this book as well worth reading.
Reviewed by Ray Robertson
Ritalin Nation:
Rapid Fire Culture and the Transformation of Human Conscio
Richard DeGrandpre, Ph.D.
Published 1999
284 pages
W.W. Norton & Company
In
the past decade, the rise in the number of North American children and adults
diagnosed of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) with or without the Hyperactivity
component (ADHD) has been exponential.
Not surprisingly, the number of individuals taking ritalin the "drug of
choice" to treat ADD/ADHD, has also increased equally rapidly.
In his book Ritalin Nation, Richard De Grandpre examines this phenomenon,
one which he attributes to a generation in need of "constant sensory
consumption" and the "speed of the American culture."
DeGrandpre's premise is that while no one doubts that a small percentage of
children are born with ADD/ADHD, we have largely created the disorder through
our ever increasingly fast pace of life.
In other words, ADD/ADHD is more a cultural phenomenon than a biological
one. He quotes an eighth grade
teacher, "The reason our children don't follow directions is that they're tuned
out. They have so much
stimulation....I'm not sure so many have ADHD: they're just restless
because...they're so used to being entertained."
The author examines how society has progressed from being rural based, where
time was dictated by the seasons to one that is constantly focused on how we can
"save time" and cram more into each day.
Ritalin Nation poses questions that challenge the reader to examine how
we live our daily lives. Does our
need as adults to speed through life manifest itself in our children as ADHD?
Are the DSM symptoms of ADD really sensory addictions?
The arguments DeGrandpre presents in his book are certainly
controversial. In this reviewer's
community, there are several professionals who subscribe to his premise while
others would disagree and would consider the biological basis of ADD/ADHD as
being sound.
The reader may not agree with what DeGrandpre has to say in Ritalin Nation but
the arguments are compelling. While
the book is written from an American perspective, it does mirror many elements
of Canadian society and is well worth the read.
Reviewer not known.
Taking Tourette Syndrome to School
by
Tira Krueger
Published
JayJo Books
One of the more recent children's books on Tourette Syndrome,"Taking Tourette
Syndrome to School" is published by JayJo books, a publisher for and about
special needs children. This book is
a wonderful story for both the newly diagnosed child and those currently living
with TS.
Megan (the "main character") takes the reader through an average school day as
she shares with us information about the characteristics of TS, the medication
and how it feels to have TS. Megan
also talks about how her motor and vocal tics affect her at school.
This children's book is well illustrated and has very child-friendly
language. The author takes many
difficult concepts and easily breaks them down by using simplified language and
terms.
This book could be read to classmates by a child or by a teacher to their class.
It is one in a series of books written about various exceptionalities.
Reviewer not known
Teaching the Tiger
by
Marilyn P Dornbush, Ph.D. & Sheryl K. Pruitt, M.Ed.
Published in 1995
Paperback, 200 pages
Hope Press
This book is an absolute must for every school in
For teachers the section on classroom modifications is again very specific to
certain behaviours and how to help prevent problems with them.
There is much, much more valuable information in the rest of the book regarding
academic interventions, the use of computers, individualized education programs,
etc. that would make this book invaluable to anyone working with or living with
a person with TS or ADHD.
Though my son was not diagnosed with TS until grade 11, I'm sure this book would
have helped his teachers in elementary school understand him and others like him
much better and with greater empathy.
I would definitely recommend this book as a wonderful education source.
Reviewed by Lynn Rutherford
Tourette Syndrome: Finding Answers and Getting Help
by
Mitzi Waltz
Published in 2001
O'Reilly & Associates Inc
It has been six years since the last general
information book on TS was published.
During this period, the understanding of TS and its associated disorders
has increased tremendously. New
medications have been approved for use and the rise of the internet has given us
access to an abundance of information and resources.
It was only a matter of time therefore, that a new book capturing the
latest information would be written.
Tourette's Syndrome Finding Answers & Getting
Help, authored by Mitzi Walsh. is part of a series of "Patient
Centered Guides" published by O'Reilly &
Associates. Ms Walsh has covered the
basic issues facing parents and individuals with TS such as diagnosis,
associated disorders, school issues and living with TS.
She includes a chapter on medical care, which reviews the progress of TS
treatment and discusses the latest treatment options, including a section on
PANDAS (pediatric auto-immune neurological disorders associated with strep).
In addition
to information on traditional interventions, Ms Walsh presents an honest,
"judge for yourself" overview of a tentative interventions such as acupuncture,
homeopathy, dietary supplements and behavioural therapy options.
This chapter is a valuable addition to the book as non-medical treatments
are playing a greater role in how we deal with many medical conditions.
The greatest strength of this book however, is
its international focus on school issues, healthcare and TS resources.
Typically TS books by American authors focus on
Reviewer not known
Tourette's Syndrome:
The Facts
by: Mary Robertson, Simon Baron-Cohen
Published in 1998
Paperback, 128 pages
"TOURETTE SYNDROME the facts" is a short, concise book written by Robertson and
Cohen, two staff psychiatrists at the Tourette clinic at the National Hospital,
Queen Square in London, England. The
book takes the format of many TS "information" texts in that it discusses common
symptoms, diagnosis, coping strategies and concludes with a chapter on
education.
This book is unique however, in the way TS is introduced to the reader.
The authors use three very different cases to demonstrate how TS varies
from individual to individual both in severity and presentation.
This is an effective way to capture the reader's attention and set the
stage for the chapters to follow.
One segment that is particularly well explained is how the
obsessions and compulsions of
individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) differ from the
obsessive-compulsive behaviours that are common to many individuals with
Tourette Syndrome.
To
compensate for the short length of the book, the authors have included a
comprehensive bibliography of scientific research papers and books categorized
into areas such as genetics, historical aspects and famous people with TS,
clinical characteristics and treatment.
The interested reader can subsequently use the references to expand his
or her knowledge of Ts and its related disorders.
There is also an appendix that lists current TS contacts and associations
for over 50 countries world wide.
As
stated in the preface of the book, the authors' aim was to produce "a readable,
slim text on Tourette Syndrome, summarizing what is known about the condition
for a general reader." They have done just that.
Reviewed by Linda Newton
Understanding Tourette
Syndrome: A
Handbook for Educators
by
Tourette Syndrome Foundation of
Published 2001
Paperback, 79 pages
Tourette Syndrome Foundation of
The Tourette Syndrome Foundation of Canada (TSFC) has recently published
Understanding Tourette Syndrome: A Handbook for Educators.
Over three years in the making, this book is a comprehensive guide
written for teachers, parents and all others who play an integral role in the
education of students with TS.
A
particularly enjoyable feature of the book is the quotes interspersed throughout
the text such as the following: "The TS child, I think, feels trapped in his own
mind and by his own body." They
bring a sensitivity to the handbook that allows the reader to focus on the
individual with TS.
The handbook is divided into three sections, the first of which, "Tourette
Syndrome: An Overview" provides the most current and comprehensive review of TS
and its associated disorders available to date.
The section is written in clear, concise language that makes it very
interesting to read. Specific
examples of tics and behaviours are listed and summary tables are provided for
easy reference. The overview is
followed by a section detailing strategies that educators can use in the
classroom. Potential problem areas,
such as difficulties with transition from one activity to another, organization,
handwriting, the school bus and homework are all covered.
Finally, the potential participants in and the role of the
interdisciplinary support team is discussed in the last section.
The student is always the centre of the team which may be composed of
only the teacher, the student and the parents for a child with mild TS.
In the child with TS+, the team may also include a teaching assistant, a
speech language pathologist, a psychologist, a case manager, the resource
teacher, a guidance counsellor and other professionals.
Including appendices, the handbook is almost 100 pages in length.
An excellent five page "Quick Reference" guide, which may be photocopied
for use at home or in the school, is provided at the end of the book.
In addition to the quick reference, the appendices provide useful
checklists to use in identifying TS, OCD and ADHD behaviours observed in the
classroom or at home. Understanding
Tourette Syndrome: A Handbook for Educators is an extremely interesting and
highly readable book that will undoubtedly gain quick acceptance in the
education community as the reference handbook of choice for all educators.
Reviewer not known
Windows into the A. D.
D. Mind:
Understanding & Treating Attention Deficit Dis
by: Daniel G. Amen
Published in 1995
Mindworks Press
"Windows Into the A.D.D. Mind:' by Dr. Daniel Amen, is a 75 minute video with an
accompanying book by the same name.
While the two do complement each other, it is not necessary to view the video as
well as read the book.
Dr. Amen is a psychiatrist whose research and practice involve the use of SPECT
scans to provide a picture of the mind.
In the simplest of terms, a SPECT scan is similar to a PET scan in that a
radioisotope is injected into the body and then travels to the brain where it
makes it possible to view the various sections of the brain in colour.
According to Dr. Amen, the difference is that a SPECT scan is less time
consuming and less expensive than a PET scan.
The book is divided into four parts beginning with several case studies of
individuals with ADD/ADHD. These
examples paint the "ADD picture" that allows the reader to follow Dr. Amen as he
moves on to define ADD and its associated subtypes.
He then uses the SPECT scans to clearly identify the differences in how
the ADD mind reacts to situations such as focussing, stress and aggression.
In conjunction with the photographs, Dr. Amen discusses the related cases
and how the scan assisted with the diagnosis of ADD in his patients.
The last part of the book is titled "Treatment and Living With ADD" and
covers topics such as parenting skills, behaviour modifications, social skills
and classroom management of the ADD child.
The information provided is consistent with other ADD related literature
and there is nothing new here. What
is unique about this part however, is a chapter on "Tips for Adults".
Through the case studies and practical advice, the ADD adult is given a
wide range of options for coping with daily life.
The accompanying video is an informative and frequently humorous seminar based
on the first three parts of the book.
Dr. Amen again reviews case studies of children and adults alike
accompanying each with the related SPECT scans.
Through the numerous examples presented, one gets a complete picture of
the ADD mind. A critique of the
video is that the questions asked by the audience throughout the seminar cannot
be heard clearly and the pictures of the SPECT scans are not as clear when seen
on video. Thus, the flow of the
presentation is broken from time to time.
However, the video is still very effective.
This is primarily due to Dr. Amen's presentation and speaking style.
All in all, "Windows Into the A.D.D. Mind" is a thorough overview of attention
deficit disorder and its associated subtypes.
After reading the book or viewing the video, the parent, individual or
educator has a much greater understanding of ADD.
Reviewed by Linda Newton