Local Authors Target Book At Helping Parents
'ADD/ADHD Revolution' Explores Treatment Options
Last updated Monday, May 1, 2006 10:59 PM CDT in Your Family
By Debbie Miller
The Morning News
FAYETTEVILLE -- LaVonne and Rick Kirkpatrick wanted to help parents.
Experience taught them households can have many questions when a child is diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The couple wanted to take some of the mysteries out of what treatment options are available.
They penned, "The ADD/ADHD Revolution," subtitled "Treatments That Work" (iUniverse, 2005).
LaVonne is an assistant professor of elementary education in the College of Education and Health Professions at the University of Arkansas. Her husband, Rick, is a licensed clinical social worker employed by Ozark Guidance.
Their goal wasn't to produce another book detailing what the disorder is. Several such publications already exist, they noted. Their mission also wasn't about promoting a particular therapy.
The goal, Rick Kirkpatrick said, was to write a book that's simple to read and allows people to compare one treatment against another, "so they can see what all is out there and then make choices."
Their book, available at various local booksellers, includes traditional approaches such as medication and counseling and varied other options -- chiropractic care, aromatherapy, EEG neurofeedback, yoga and dietary supplements. Each chapter dedicated to a treatment details pros and cons, what the research shows for a particular treatment and how to gain additional information on that selected therapy.
Kirkpatrick said readers need to know the book is not about using an alternative therapy to the exclusion of approaches they might already be using.
He prefers an integrative approach, using a combination of methods that work best for the individual child and his family. For example, he said, he's not against using medications, and as a counselor, he also believes in that approach.
The book is about increasing awareness about more choices or tools that can be used in combination with current options.
"Now you have a whole new set of tools in your tool kit," he said he would advise those reading the book. "Look at all the tools that you have, and pick out the best ones that you feel comfortable with for your child."
LaVonne Kirkpatrick said the common thread among the treatments examined is a method to improve the functioning of the brain.
She recommended parents be certain to consult with the family physician when trying varied approaches, particularly if the child is taking medication for the disorder. The child actually might need less medication if other therapies are working.
Youngsters are provided stimulants to treat attention deficit and hyperactivity, her husband noted. If another therapy helps improve brain function, it could appear the medication is not working correctly, he said, and a physician who hasn't been told about the use of something like neurofeedback might incorrectly believe the child needs more, not less stimulant medication.
LaVonne Kirkpatrick said she hopes parents understand the book is intended only as a guidebook or resource for parents.
"We're not telling them what to do," she said. "I think that's real important because parents know their children best and what their comfort level is on certain things and also their financial situation."
The book includes discussions about the cost of each treatment and what kind of commitment would be required -- both on the frequency of the treatment and how long it must be pursued before seeing desired results. The book also includes a cautionary note that not all treatments or combinations of therapies will work for every child because each situation is unique.
"Obviously, all of these things don't work for everyone or we would have long ago solved the problems," she said.
The authors targeted parents, but LaVonne Kirkpatrick said it occurred to her that educators also could find the book a useful tool.
"My thought was it could be a good resource book for educators who might say, 'I know you're searching for some answers,'" she said.
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