The Management of ADHD in Children and Young PeopleEdited by ValHarpinLondon: Mac Keith Press, 2017£34.95 (Paperback), pp 275 ISBN: 978‐1‐909962‐72‐9

Abstract

The Management of ADHD in Children and Young People provides a comprehensive and detailed approach to this common condition. It is edited by Val Harpin who is a neurodevelopmental paediatrician based in Sheffield, UK. The contributors come from a wide range of health care professions, drawing experience from specialities that include psychiatry, neurodisability, cardiology, and emergency medicine. The book aims to ‘share sound, practical management advice built on a strong evidence base and many years of practical experience’ with professionals to further their knowledge base and management strategies. As a specialist trainee paediatrician in community child health, this book met my needs and achieved its stated goal. Unlike so many other textbooks it is easy to read as it includes tables and illustrations to enhance the text, and provides case reports and examples of children and young people to further engage the mind of the reader. I could relate to the practical thought processes and solutions offered by this book in relation to diagnosis, management, and support in attention-deficit–hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The use of evidence in the book is clear throughout with studies being quoted and references given. Not only is the evidence provided but also interpreted and put into a clinical context. There is an extensive reference list at the end of each chapter and useful resources detailed so they can be accessed by the reader to use in practice or to signpost children and young people and their carers. Areas of controversy within the management of ADHD are also discussed. The book is separated into bite-size chapters with each chapter written by a lead author who is a specialist in the area under discussion. The fact the patient is at the centre of care is highlighted by the prologue which is written by a patient with ADHD. The ensuing chapters then deal with referral and diagnosis before moving on to cover different aspects of management, ending with wider issues such as education, adversities faced, and transition. This logical progression makes it easy to digest but also takes the reader comprehensively through all the aspects affecting management of ADHD. Several chapters are related to medication including side effects and drug profile, with comparisons between the drugs and factors to consider when starting, altering, and stopping medication. As a trainee, I found these chapters invaluable as they not only provided the evidence summary but also the writer's experiences in using the medications (including strengths and problems encountered). The last few chapters are dedicated to the wider issues in managing ADHD such as education, substance misuse, and transition of care to adult services. These chapters not only highlight some of the obstacles in helping children and young people with ADHD to manage their condition and how to advocate on behalf of the children and young people, but also provide many helpful techniques and relevant guidelines. The book does not discuss the neurobiology of ADHD. The prognosis of children and young people with ADHD into adulthood is touched upon but not discussed in detail either. It may well be that this reflects the current state of knowledge in this challenging area. Nevertheless, this book goes further than just medical management in ADHD. Rather it provides a holistic approach with the child or young person at its core and the family and multi-professional team supporting them. Although the text describes UK practice, the principles detailed are widely applicable and I have no hesitation in recommending it not only for professionals who work in the field but also for parents and young people who are affected by the challenges of ADHD.