A comparative review of “how to” books for parents of ADHD children and “how to” books for parents of typical children

Although an increasing number of children are diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and take medications to control their behaviors, a well-publicized controversy persists about whether ADHD refers to a common neurobehavioral disorder of childhood or to various medicalized temperamental, educational, and cultural differences and difficulties of children. Moreover, behaviors indicative of ADHD are commonly found among all children—although with different frequencies. This paper aims to identify and compare the type of information provided to parents of ADHD and non-ADHD diagnosed children through readily available self-help books. Searches using popular online bookstores were conducted to rank and select the ten most popular self-help books for parents of ADHD diagnosed children and those of typical children, from which relevant information was systematically extracted. We conclude that the information provided for these two sets of parents was substantially different, if not opposites, but children's behaviors were similarly portrayed.

► We compare two sets of self-help books for parents of ADHD and typical children.
► ADHD diagnosed and typical children show similar difficulties in similar settings.
► Academic performance marks the difference of an ADHD diagnosed and a typical child.
► Interventions for ADHD diagnosed children are seen as harmful for typical children.