by Vivian Dunstan

ADHD 2.0: New Science and Essential Strategies for Thriving with Distraction – from Childhood through Adulthood

ADHD 2.0: New Science and Essential Strategies for Thriving with Distraction – from Childhood through Adulthood

A revolutionary new approach to ADD/ADHD featuring cutting-edge research and strategies to help readers thrive, by the bestselling authors of the seminal books Driven to Distraction and Delivered from Distraction “An inspired road map for living with a distractible brain . . . If you or your child suffer from ADHD, this book should be on your shelf. It will give you courage and hope.”–Michael Thompson, Ph.D., New York Times bestselling co-author of Raising Cain World-renowned authors Dr. Edward M. Hallowell and Dr. John J. Ratey literally “wrote the book” on ADD/ADHD more than two decades ago. Their bestseller, Driven to Distraction, largely introduced this diagnosis to the public and sold more than a million copies along the way. Now, most people have heard of ADHD and know someone who may have it. But lost in the discussion of both childhood and adult diagnosis of ADHD is the potential upside: Many hugely successful entrepreneurs and highly creative people attribute their achievements to ADHD. Also unknown to most are the recent research developments, including innovations that give a clearer understanding of the ADHD brain in action. In ADHD 2.0, Drs. Hallowell and Ratey, both of whom have this “variable attention trait,” draw on the latest science to provide both parents and adults with ADHD a plan for minimizing the downside and maximizing the benefits of ADHD at any age. They offer an arsenal of new strategies and lifestyle hacks for thriving with ADHD, including – Find the right kind of difficult. Use these behavior assessments to discover the work, activity, or creative outlet best suited to an individual’s unique strengths.
– Reimagine environment. What specific elements to look for–at home, at school, or in the workplace–to enhance the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit inherent in the ADHD mind.
– Embrace innate neurological tendencies. Take advantage of new findings about the brain’s default mode network and cerebellum, which confer major benefits for people with ADHD.
– Tap into the healing power of connection. Tips for establishing and maintaining positive connection “the other Vitamind C” and the best antidote to the negativity that plagues so many people with ADHD.
– Consider medication. Gets the facts about the underlying chemistry, side effects, and proven benefits of all the pharmaceutical options. As inspiring as it is practical, ADHD 2.0 will help you tap into the power of this mercurial condition and find the key that unlocks potential.

 by Vivian Dunstan

Kindness Counts: A Story Teaching Random Acts of Kindness

Kindness Counts: A Story Teaching Random Acts of Kindness

When Cade’s and his family find out their ice cream order was paid for by another patron, they continue paying it forward, and so starts the discussion of random acts of kindness. Cade takes this idea and runs with it, showing unexpected kindnesses to others. But when Cade’s dad would like him to donate some of his own toys, he has a hard time. Will Cade be able to learn the importance of being kind to others, even when it isn’t easy? Find out in this tale about showing kindness.

 by Vivian Dunstan

Of Course it’s a Big Deal

Of Course it’s a Big Deal

Part of the Executive Function series of books for children, Of Course It’s a Big Deal teaches kids not to overreact to situations.

 by Vivian Dunstan

When I Couldn’t Get Over It I Learned to Start Acting Differently: A Story About Managing Stress

When I Couldn’t Get Over It I Learned to Start Acting Differently: A Story About Managing Stress

Kyle is a fourth-grader who sometimes feels blue and out of sorts. He’s not sure why, but he can never bounce back when he gets into a funk. When things go wrong at school or home, he can’t shake it off and just move on. With the help of a kind teacher, Kyle learns how to recognize and manage his sadness by reframing his attitude and learning how to Start Acting Differently. Grades K-6.

 by Vivian Dunstan

My Day is Ruined! A Story for Teaching Flexible Thinking

My Day is Ruined!

Braden was so excited for his upcoming Championship baseball game! The night before he dreamt of that moment]] THE moment]]the oohs and ahhs of the crowd as he scored the game-winning run! But imagine his surprise when he woke up to pouring rain]]and NO GAME! This, coupled with some events at school that don’t go his way, send Braden on an overreaction tailspin! Will Braden be able to recover from his overreacting tendencies and practice the tips of flexible thinking that his teacher and mom teach him? Find out in another comical story by Bryan Smith

 by Vivian Dunstan

What Were You Thinking?

What Were You Thinking?

Third grader Braden loves to be the center of attention. His comic genius, as he sees it, causes his friends to look at him in awe. But some poor decision-making, such as a few ill-timed jokes in class and an impulsive reaction during gym class that leads to a classmate on the floor in tears, results in Braden’s teachers and mother teaching him all about impulse control. Will the tips provided by the adults in Braden’s life help him see a better way to manage his impulses? Find out in this hilarious story by Bryan Smith.

 by Vivian Dunstan

Mindset Matters

Mindset Matters

Amelia is her name and conquering new challenges is her game! She takes up skateboarding with gusto and feverishly builds a swing set for her kid brother. But at the first sign of trouble tumbling off her skateboard and whacking her thumb with a hammer she’s done. Her confidence shattered, Amelia frets she’s a failure. But after a little self-reflection and some loving advice from dear-old Dad, Amelia learns she needs a GONNA-GET-IT-DONE mindset. With her new outlook, she discovers success has many definitions]]more than she ever imagined. Mindset Matters teaches children how to see problems and dilemmas as opportunities to learn and grow, and reveals why failing doesn’t make them failures.

 by Vivian Dunstan

If Winning isn’t everything, why do I hate to lose?

If Winning isn’t everything, why do I hate to lose?

 

Kelsey’s a typical fourth-grader. She likes to hang out with her friends, play games, do all the standard stuff. But there’s one thing about Kelsey that really gets her into trouble. She is very competitive, and she HATES to lose. So much so that she is not afraid to cheat, throw a tantrum, or just act like a poor sport in general!

When Kelsey’s poor sportsmanship or “sportsgirlship,” as she likes to call it causes her basketball team to lose a close game, she soon realizes she needs to change her ways.

 by Vivian Dunstan

Time to Get Started

Time to get started

 

Blake doesn’t understand why he has to clean his room RIGHT NOW. He’ll get to it eventually!

Luckily for Blake, his mom is there to help him understand why it’s important to get started on tasks right away. By exploring his reasons for putting off the things he is supposed to do, Blake soon realizes that he is simply making excuses.

Join Blake as he and his mom go through a few simple steps to help him take initiative and get things done.

 by Vivian Dunstan

Fix it with Focus!

Fix it with Focus

Focus. Focus. Focus. That’s the advice Blake frequently hears but fails to follow.

Blake stumbles from one mishap to another because of a complete lack of concentration. He carelessly demolishes a Lego volcano in his rush to look out a window. A baseball bruises his elbow (and ego) because a dirt clod takes his focus off the game. And he ends up all wet when he interrupts his own story to do something foolish.

Can using manipulatives, including squishy erasers, stress balls and glove taps, help Blake maintain focus and strengthen his concentration muscles?

Fix It with Focus adds another entertaining lesson to our Executive FUNction series, written for K-6 students who need a helping hand to learn self-control or manage ADHD.

 

 by Vivian Dunstan

Empathy is my SuperPower!

Empathy is my SuperPower!

 

Why does her brother cry when it’s dark? Why does her classmate

Kayla take so long to do her math? And what’s up with that

strange-smelling dish that Priya brings to lunch every day? With

the help of her parents, Amelia soon learns about the importance

of empathy and starts to see the power it can have! Will Amelia be able to put her new-found skill to good use and help others find the strength in empathy as well? Written for readers in grades K-6, this storybook also includes tips to help parents and teachers foster empathy in every child.

 by Vivian Dunstan

How did you miss that?

How did you miss that?

When he rushes home after an exhausting night of baseball, the last thing Braden wants to hear is Mom and Dad harping about everything he must finish on his to-do list. Of course, they wouldn’t be on his case if he actually paid attention and did what he needed to do. From chores at home to questions on a quiz, Braden never checks his work for mistakes or to see if he missed anything. Is there a solution to his sloppiness? Yes but will Braden be willing to try it? Can he become a master of self-monitoring?

 by Vivian Dunstan

But I Need Your Help Now!

But I Need Your Help Now!

A fun story about waiting your turn!

Isaac is a second grader who struggles with waiting to be recognized by an adult. He’s a little impatient, and this can get him in trouble at school and in the world. When a tough problem has him stuck, Isaac just blurts out his questions. With patience, Isaac’s mom guides him through the steps of getting somebody’s attention, and she helps him with the problem. Isaac understands, but needs some practice!

Isaac’s adventures continue at the store, at home, and at school, where the adults are there to teach him even more skills like how he can interrupt a conversation the right way!

Told in author Bryan Smith’s hallmark humorous style, follow Isaac as he learns how to wait his turn and how to interrupt appropriately.

 by Vivian Dunstan

How Do I Remember All That? : A Story to Improve Working Memory

How Do I Remember All That? : A Story to Improve Working Memory

Braden’s schoolwork seems to be getting tougher.

Word problems are more complicated. Reading passages are longer. When he’s quizzed on details, they seem to be getting lost in translation. And this is carrying over to home too!

With help from a caring teacher and plenty of opportunities to practice at home, Braden starts to learn and practice strategies for improving his working memory!

Author and school counselor Bryan Smith offers another funny but relevant story in the very popular Executive FUNction book series.

Great for K-6 children and the adults in their lives.

 by Vivian Dunstan

It Was Just Right Here!

It was just right here!

Blake is struggling to keep his schoolwork, his papers and his things in order. Assignments and permission slips always go missing. Even the class pet disappears (only to be found nesting inside Blake’s overstuffed, completely cluttered, bursting-at-the-seams school desk)! With a much-needed assist from his teacher and a timely baseball analogy, Blake finally learns how to get organized. It’s the latest title in the Executive FUNction children’s book series. Grades K-6.

 by Vivian Dunstan

Lost and Found : Helping Behaviorally Challenging Students (and, While You’re At It, All the Others)

Lost and Found : Helping Behaviorally Challenging Students (and, While You’re At It, All the Others)

Implement a more constructive approach to difficult students Lost and Found is a follow-up to Dr. Ross Greene’s landmark works, The Explosive Child and Lost at School, providing educators with highly practical, explicit guidance on implementing his Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) Problem Solving model with behaviorally-challenging students.

While the first two books described Dr. Greene’s positive, constructive approach and described implementation on a macro level, this useful guide provides the details of hands-on CPS implementation by those who interact with these children every day. Readers will learn how to incorporate students’ input in understanding the factors making it difficult for them to meet expectations and in generating mutually satisfactory solutions. Specific strategies, sample dialogues, and time-tested advice help educators implement these techniques immediately. The groundbreaking CPS approach has been a revelation for parents and educators of behaviorally-challenging children. This book gives educators the concrete guidance they need to immediately begin working more effectively with these students.

* Implement CPS one-on-one or with an entire class * Work collaboratively with students to solve problems * Study sample dialogues of CPS in action * Change the way difficult students are treated The discipline systems used in K-12 schools are obsolete, and aren’t working for the kids to whom they’re most often applied those with behavioral challenges. Lost and Found provides a roadmap to a different paradigm, helping educators radically transform the way they go about helping their most challenging students.

 by Vivian Dunstan

Late, Lost, and Unprepared: A Parents’ Guide to Helping Children with Executive Functioning

Does your child have difficulty meeting deadlines, staying organized, or keeping track of important information? Do they tend to forget details? Are they prone to emotional meltdowns? This book will become your go-to, all-inclusive guide to helping children manage issues with these executive functions.

Late, Lost, and Unprepared is packed with encouragement, strategies, overviews, case studies, tips, and more, explained in accessible, everyday language. In this updated and expanded edition of the highly regarded book for parents, you will find valuable new insights, fresh examples, and an all-new chapter on emotional regulation. Featuring down-to-earth examples and a flexible framework that allows you to think on your feet, the strategies within this book can be adapted to any child or situation.

In addition to providing approaches for helping your child to manage demands in the short run, this book offers strategies for building independent skills for long-term self-management. Late, Lost, and Unprepared gives parents the support they need to help their child become productive and independent – today and in the future.