Kids in the Syndrome Mix of Adhd, LD, Asperger's, Tourette's, Bipolar, and More!: The One Stop Guide for Parents, Teachers, and Other Professionals

As an Occupational Therapist I focus on the obstacles my students face in their everyday lives and particularly in school. Often my students have received a diagnosis of ADHD but actually present with symptoms that, in my opinion, are better represented by other disorders such as Aspergers and Central Auditory Processing Disorders. Dr. Kutscher's book emphasizes the co occurence of various disorders and confirms that a single diagnosis is the exception and not the norm in these complex students. The book is packed with information that includes essential vocabulary and concepts, web sites,and reference to experts in research and treatment. While Dr. Kutscher jokes about how he may be oversimplifying concepts and brain function, he actually includes many key concepts that can greatly clarify the struggles of children in the syndrome mix. Some examples of the information presented in the book that, I believe, would enlighten teachers, pediatricians, parents,etc. include the following: the demoralizing result of receiving a zero on a school paper;the Connor's checklist;contextual clues and reading; phonological dysfunction and early signs of dyslexia;Fry's Instant Word List; establishing a hand dominence by 2; the 4 areas of communication;Theory of Mind; an adult using "child speak" to help a child develop social skills; social stories; using the child's special interests to engineer friendships; and sensory integration dysfunction. If the reader takes advantage of the suggestions in the Further Reading section then more in depth knowledge of subjects that are only touched upon in the book can be obtained. Dr. Kutscher reminds us not to treat these complex children as typical because they are not. One can view them as having a wonderful uniqueness or as having a disability that needs to be accomodated for. I agree it is very important not to expect typical behaviors from these children. For them to become all that they can be and to have good self esteem, they need special consideration and help.I enjoy working with these children and I am often impressed by their uniqueness and gifts.

I knew something was not right with my six year old but I could not put my finger on what it was. I read about every disorder I could find but he did not fit into any category. His teachers said he they had never seen anything like it. Than I found this book and for the first time all of it made complete sense. I found a specialist who focused on neurobiological disorders and he was finally diagnosed with PDD-NOS , ADD, and several learning disabilities. I am certainly happy that I came across this book.

When you're overwhelmed by a child's complex challenges and needs - and often finding contradictory information from various therapists, educators, and physicians -- the last thing you need is a complicated tome. In this concise, well-ordered volume, Dr. Kutscher provides a very clear understanding of each component of the "syndrome mix." It is truly a one-stop guide. His communication style is very accessible and human -- not academic and technical. As the moderator of an online support group for the partners of adults with ADHD, I've long referred members to Dr. Kutscher's website. ADHD seldom "travels alone." It can have a variety of traveling companions, many of which are missed by mental-health professionals. For years, his simple, to-the-point explanations provided for many a key to understanding behaviors that had confused or confounded them. Now he has brought that same approach to this book. His audience is parents, but the information often applies to adults with ADHD and associated disorders as well. Gina Pera

I knew my daughter was "different", but, being 4 years old, I just didn't know what it was. This book was a great place to start! After reading through most of the diagnoses, I found out she most likely has auditory processing disorder - and can now fine-tune my reading and researching! I am recommending this book to other parents who say things like "There's just something not right, but I'm not sure what it is, or where to go"!! If that's how you feel, I recommend this book!

It is no secret that people with neurological differences tend to present with a mix of neuropsychiatric conditions. The big secret is how to discern when and how one condition begins, ends, or overlaps with another. Without such understanding, designing the best therapies and supports becomes very problematic, if not impossible. In Dr. Kutscher we have a finely trained MD neurologist and a natural educator who can pull all the pieces together for us. Kids in the Syndrome Mix of ADHD, LD, Asperger's, Tourette's, Bipolar, and More! has become my main reference tool and THE book I provide to my peers when we come together to develop IEPs or home based intervention programs for kids 'in the syndrome mix'. In fact, I sent this book to all of my counselor and teacher friends, the moment it was published. It really is that good! -Liane Holliday Willey, EdD, author of Pretending to be Normal: Living with Asperger's Syndrome, Asperger Syndrome in the Family: Redefining Normal, and editor of Asperger Syndrome in Adolescence: Living with the Ups, the Downs and Things in Between