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Boy Without Instructions

Surviving the Learning Curve of Parenting a Child with ADHD

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Boy Without Instructions

Written by: Penny Williams
Narrated by: Jayme Mattler
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About this listen

Number-One Best Seller on Amazon!

2014 USA Best Book Awards Winner: Finalist, Parenting & Family

Most books on ADHD don't dare expose the genuine grit of the moment-by-moment peaks and valleys of this special parenthood - the gut-wrenching, crying on the bathroom floor, feeling like you're losing your mind truth of the matter that is learning to successfully parent a child with ADHD. Boy Without Instructions: Surviving the Learning Curve of Parenting a child with ADHD changes that.

Williams shares her unfiltered thoughts and emotions during her progression through this learning curve during this harrowing ride. Right before your eyes, this initially grief-stricken momma transforms from obsessed-with-ADHD control-freak and helicopter mom to optimistic and (mostly) confident parent of a child who happens to have ADHD. Boy Without Instructions validates your grief and guilt, yet reveals that it's truly possible to craft a (mostly) joy-filled life for your child with ADHD, yourself, and your family.

©2014 Penny Williams (P)2016 Penny Williams Children's Health Relationships Health Mental Health Special Need Parenting Add Child
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Abssolutely loved this, and could relate on sooo many levels. Thank you Penny Williams!

A Great Listen

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It’s a must listen! I binged this in under 2 days. Gave me great perspective of our future struggles and how to advocate. Additionally it was really nice knowing you’re not alone.

It’s nice knowing you’re not alone!

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It was as if the author is writing from our lives with a couple of small differences. Listening to this was like having a trusted confidant in what seems like a very lonely space in the parenting journey. I’m a parent with adhd so advocating for my child is exponentially harder when I have to learn how to take care of myself and advocate for myself. The great news is that my son and I are both making strides in the right direction. This book is now a MUST READ recommendation to anyone who asks me for resources. The only downside is that (I felt) it ended too soon. I would have loved to hear more! I’m not sure if it’s because the author decided to end it there deliberately or if more still needs to be said as time goes on.

Fantastic!!

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enjoyed it a lot. I related as a mom of a son with ADHD. i cried numerous times. The narrator was great.

great book

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Excellent book and the narrator was great to listen to! I was emotional just listening to it because I felt I was reading about my own son.

Loved this book!

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An honest and true account of the trials, tribulations and triumphs that come with parenting children with ADHD and other special needs.

Great Book!

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As a psychologist and parent of a child with ADHD I found this book quite problematic. If you follow Penny’s blogging and other writing you know her son has ASD. Many of the examples and behaviours in this book that are chalked up to ADHD are actually due to ASD - extreme rigidity, perseveration, restricted interests, severe emotion dysregulation and meltdowns. Yes some of these things are common in adhd but not to the extent described in the book - which is also likely why they had so much difficulty with meds. This story is validating for parents but without mentioning that her son was later diagnosed with ASD the book neglects to inform the reader of important details that could help their own families. It’s heartbreaking to hear that proper diagnosis was not offered to them - it was painfully clear to me that ASD was a likely culprit an hour into the book. Unfortunately it’s only mentioned once in relation to her son with about 35 minutes remaining. Not speaking of this sooner really misses the mark on helping more families.

Misleading and problematic

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