As a practicing child psychologist of fourteen years, it is always a pleasure to learn of a resource relevant to both parents and mental health professionals. Making the Connection: A Parent’s Guide to Medication in AD/HD, by Mohab Hanna, M.D. is just such a resource. However, given the plethora of books currently published for parents on raising children diagnosed with ADHD, why one more?

As parents and children seek treatment for ADHD, many questions arise. One of the most concerning questions is – should my child be taking medications? This question has recently become more challenging and anxiety-provoking subsequent to media reports highlighting controversies associated with prescribing medications to treat children with mental health concerns. As parents seek information to make informed decisions about medications, they encounter dilemmas as recent reports in the media offer conflicting information about the benefits and dangers. Dr. Hanna’s timely book provides a guide to parents and clinicians as they weigh the risks and benefits to ADHD medications.

Dr. Hanna is a strong advocate for parents taking a proactive role in their children’s treatment. His well-written and easy to read book is designed to provide parents with essential information to make informed decisions regarding the potential use of medications in the treatment of ADHD. Dr. Hanna’s understanding of ADHD, his empathy for his patients and his knowledge of treatment approaches are illustrated in the clinical vignettes interspersed throughout the book.

This book is composed of 5 sections. Section One provides a concise overview of ADHD. In this section, Dr. Hanna lays the foundation for understanding ADHD, providing readers with a definition and symptoms of this disorder, identification of genetic contributions and environmental influences and prevalence. Disorders commonly diagnosed in conjunction with ADHD are also discussed. This section also provides readers with a balanced overview of the consequences of untreated ADHD such as academic, behavioral, mood and social problems that may persist into adulthood. Section Two: “21 Medication Rules Every Parent Needs to Know,” is designed to assist parents in making sound decisions regarding treatment interventions for ADHD to include elements of a diagnostic work-up, medication and clinical interventions. The third section provides a review of medications used in the treatment of ADHD as well as the benefits and adverse effects of each one.

This section offers a nice overview for parents as well as a handy reference guide for clinicians who are considering making a referral for medications. A question and answer format design is used in section four to highlight parents’ commonly asked questions. Questions span a range of relevant themes which include how to address teenagers’ refusal to take medications, the effects of medication on a child’s personality, the length of time a child needs to be on medication, and concerns about addiction to medication. Section Five, a convenient resource for parents and therapists, outlines ADHD medications, articles, books, websites and organizations.

I highly recommend this book to parents and clinicians who want to understand the symptoms of ADHD and desire to make thoughtful, well-informed decisions about treatments for this disorder.

Michael T. Reid, Ph.D. is a child psychologist who practices at the Kennedy Krieger Institute Family Center in Baltimore, MD and MedPsych Associates in Lutherville, MD. He may be contacted at reidm@kennedykrieger.org