Otto Learns about His Medicine: A Story about Medication for Hyperactive Children

Very effective. This book is great to help kids see that they are not alone, that its ok to just be who they are, and help is a matter of fact, not a big deal. my son loves this book because he loves cars. may not be as effective for girls.

This is a great book to explain to children how their medicine can help them.

Shortly after my middle son was diagnosed and given his meds the daily struggle on how to get him to take them began. Adding them to food did no good because he wouldn't eat it. Trying to get him to swallow was impossible as he would clamp his jaws shut. I bought this book and we read it many times and he began to understand why he needed to take his medicine. That was almost 3 years ago and there are times he reminds me it's time to take his meds. We gave the book to his psychiatrist when we were done with it.

I specialize in treating ADHD kids and this is one of the best books I have read that explains the process to children. It follows all the steps in the journey from diagnosis to treatment in a fantasy story about a young car who has a "motor that runs too fast". I will use it in my practice and will recommend it to the parents and children that I see with this disorder. I would highly recommend it.

I keep a couple of copies of this book in my office. It uses humorous illustrations as well as concrete examples to help children understand why they need to take medication for AD/HD. Otto, a young car, visits a special engine mechanic and receives an engine treatment to help him run at the right speed. The author uses this metaphor to explain the nature of AD/HD, and the process of getting a psychiatric evaluation. It suggests some good questions that the the child might want to ask about medication. I particularly liked the way the book discussed potential side effects and how it encouraged the child to discuss this with his or her doctor.The book is aimed at elementary school children and some pre-schoolers.