Editorial Review
Every year, 17 million new cases of attention deficit disorder, or ADD, are diagnosed in children. But medications designed to treat the disorder don’t work for many children and often leave families frustrated and searching for more options. In
The ADD Answer, Dr. Frank Lawlis draws upon his thirty-five years of experience as a clinical and research psychologist to show parents how they can reclaim their central role in healing their children with comprehensive step- by-step advice on dealing with the problems of ADD. His approach blends the latest medical, nutritional, and psychological treatments that can increase brain function with expert insight into the emotional-and spiritual-support kids need.
Including assessment tests geared to help parents understand their child’s particular needs and practical information on proven treatment options, The ADD Answer explores:
• The role of nutrition in treating the disorder
• The positive effects of counseling and goal setting
• Advances in the field of biofeedback
• The importance of sleep, and much more
An inspiring and essential guide, The ADD Answer will help every family facing the challenges of ADD create a more loving, healthy environment necessary for their child to thrive.
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Customer Reviews
The Add Answer 
2008-07-06
Read this book in 2 days. Fascinating. Answered all my questions
and gave lots of suggestions for parents dealing with an ADD child.
Excellent! 
2007-03-29
I found this book to be an excellent resource for a parent lost in the sea of ADD/ADHD information. The author's conservative approach is sensible and educated. I also appreciate the subtle spiritual insight he offers which helps the reader understand some very positive aspects of ADD. This book has become my main resource while we deal with this situation.
A concerned adult with ADHD 
2006-02-27
I am an adult with ADHD inatintive type. I have struggled all my life with this condition. Howevere, I have managed to earn a BA in psychology and I am currently working on a masters degree. Because of my expierences in psychology classes I know something about scientific research and empirical evidence. This book was a major dissapointment to me because it lacks the simple scholary research to prove the claims made by Dr Lawless. I am afraid this book is nothing more then modernday snake-oil that will cause more harm then good.
This book is so full of pseudo-science that I fear it may cause a great deal of harm to children and adults with ADHD. Dr. Lawless is a psychologist and should now how to read the scientifice research on the subject found in peer reviewed journals. While, I believe that the chemeicals in the foods we eat are a major cause of illnesses, ADHD and obesity, There is little scientific evidence that add is caused by diet. However, their maybe more evidence in the future. One of his clames of red dye has been proven completly false. Another one his claims about magnet theropy are so out of the scientific mainstream that he comes of as a snakeoils salesman. Please do not buy this book. If you want reliable information by on of the Driven to Distraction books.
Response to Concerned Mom 
2005-11-07
Concerned Mom,
Before 86-ing this book, look at your own source, which is 5 years old. Also consider that the vast majority of the psychiatric profession in Europe believes ADD is a figment of the American psychiatric community's imagination. If they're right, anyone who believes ADD is a genuine disorder is a pseudoscientist, whether they believe it can be conclusively diagnosed or not.
In addressing ADD and ADHD Dr. Phil and Frank have both maintained that a thorough attempt at a differential diagnosis MUST be made(ruling out other learning disorders, stressors in the home, other possible disorders or chemical imbalances, depression, etc.) PRIOR to reaching a diagnosis of ADD/ADHD. They also insist that this must be done in CONJUNCTION with an EEG. The EEG reading alone is persuasive, but not diagnostic. If they have claimed to the contrary then they are going against everything they have maintained in their shows addressing this issue.
You may agree or disagree with them and I'm sure some qualified professionals disagree with them as well. That's not uncommon in the medical community, and it certainly doesn't make this pseudo science.
If their claim were simply that the EEG ALONE were diagnostic in the absence of a thorough examination of patient history, etc., then you're beef would be legitimate. But why the hostility? These days children are often overmedicated based solely on the reommendation of tired parents or teachers. By contrast Dr. Phil is advocating a careful thorough screening prior to reaching that diagnosis, and consideration of all available therapies, not medical therapy alone. At the same time the screening process he's advocating will no doubt help some people who haven't been diagnosed but should have been finally get the help they need. So many are written of an depressed or looking for excuses for a lifelong struggle with frustration and attention span (my wife for example), but thanks to a rigorous screening process followed by a careful neurological exam including an EEG, most of the red herrings can finally be ruled out and effective treatment can begin. This is a total middle of the road position between throwing pills out willy nilly and just telling people to get over their disorder. Who loses here? And where is the argument that the EEG IN CONJUNCTION WITH a careful differential diagnosis, detailed patient history and examination of past behavior, academic struggles, etc., can't be diagnostic of this disorder? Some may disagree, but what's new about that?
The three star rating is because I haven't finished reading the book.
PLEASE READ BEFORE BUYING! 
2005-10-27
There are many great ideas presented in this book about dealing with your add child, BUT the chapter on meds is completely off base. Let me preface the following with MY opinion (I am not an MD or an expert) that children with ADD need a team approach in helping them deal with the condition (if you choose to call it one) and there is a place for meds for many kids, BUT it is only a piece of the puzzle. Parents, teachers, family members, Md's, and behavioral specialists are all crucial. I happen to work indirectly with many of the world thought leaders and experts on ADD (ie. Joseph Beiderman, Mass General Hospital, Boston MA/ Harvard Medical School, ... look up his credentials). First Dr. Frank Lawlis is not an MD, this means he has not been to medical school- that is not to say he isn't a great psychologist, just that he HAS NOT and DOES NOT write prescriptions for these meds and has NO first hand experience with directly managing these meds himself. In this book there are many things that are completely false regarding ADD meds. For example he states that they only work for about 50% of kids. FALSE Let me cite 3 credible sources that disputes this (notice in the book that he does not talk about HIS credible source)
1. "approx 70% of patients respond to the first stimulant agent administered with resulting improvement in their ADHD symptoms." - Practical Considerations in Stimulant Drug Selection for the ADHD Patient- Efficacy, Potency and Titration Beiderman, Today's Therapeutic Trends, 02'
2. "Improvement occurred in 65-75% of 5,899 patients randomized to stimulants." - Practice Parameter for the Use of Stimulant Medication in the Treatment of Children, Adolescents, and Adults, Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Feb02'
3. "At least 80% of children will respond to one of the stimulants if they are tried in a systemic way." Clinical Practice Guideline: Treatment of the School-Aged Child with ADHD, Published in American Acedemy of Pediatrics, Oct 01'.
All of these quotes are credible and are opinions based on evidence-based medicine from the experts. Lawlis also states that there has been little research in children and that most studies have been done on adults and rats/mice. This is Completely False! The Journal noted above, Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (that was a review of "161 randomized controlled trials that have been published encompassing 5 preschool, 150 school-age, 7 Adolescent, and 9 adult studies" Where does Dr. Lawlis get his information?
The review noted above by the American Acedemy of Pediatrics, identified for analysis 2405 citations, 92 reports, and 78 different studies. This is American Acedemy of Pediatrics- They are only interested in children and adolescents! Not Rats, Mice, and Adults.
These are the most credible Medical Journals published. These are not the biased trials sponsored by big pharma. The information in these Journals is taken very seriously by Pediatricians and Child Psychiatrists, and is heavily relied upon by these professionals.
Lastly, he also states that these drugs are identical to cocaine in their affect on the brain. This is not true, they have similarities, but by NO-Means identical. Yes it is true that stimulant medications can be abused and can also be addictive, but some of the newer formulations of these meds have lessened their abuse and addictive potential by altering the speed at which the drug is released into the bloodstream thereby somewhat flattening the curve (Cocaine use produces a curve that is almost straight up-this is what gives the "high") The most common way for these drugs to be abused is by crushing them and snorting them (which allows for fast absorption and steep curve), and some of the newer meds are crush resistant and/or cannot be turned into a fine enough substance to be snorted. There has also been data published that shows a DECREASE not increase in drug abuse for patients who have taken stimulants. It is believed that kids who are treated (drug treatment and otherwise) are less likely to associate with kids who are failing academically/socially and who are more likely to be using drugs. (This is not to say that high all high achievers abstain from using OR that ALL children who are failing ARE using) It is just a point that kids who are treated are more likely to be focused on school and their responsibilities and are less likely to be involved in drug use. Kids who are failing in school academically/socially are often looked at as outcasts and are often looked down upon by peers, teachers, and family, and this can cause a child to look for an escape... sometimes drugs. Children who Do benefit from stimulant medication sometimes have more self-esteem because of their success, and certainly less scrutiny from peers, teachers etc.
Lastly, Lawlis tells a story about a man who died from long-term stimulant medication. I am not going to say that this did not happen, but I will say that stimulants have been used since the 1950's, and the medical community agrees that they are safe when managed properly. The medical community and FDA have pulled MANY medications that were deemed unsafe from the markets (many times against the will of BIG Pharma) and the stimulants would not have remained on the market for OVER 50 YEARS, if stories like this were common or the least bit likely.
I am not at all stating that stimulant meds are the answer because they are not, but they can be a small piece of the puzzle that is helping these kids with ADD. The book is full of great ideas and approaches to ADD, but he is not accurate about the stimulant medications. Parents who see value in them should not feel ashamed and or frightened by what he says because most of it is just not accurate. Good luck and I hope this was helpful.
Tantrums gone with EFAs 2005-09-28
Every year, 17 million new cases of attention deficit disorder, or ADD, are diagnosed in children. But medications designed to treat the disorder don’t work for many children and often leave families frustrated and searching for more options. In
The ADD Answer, Dr. Frank Lawlis draws upon his thirty-five years of experience as a clinical and research psychologist to show parents how they can reclaim their central role in healing their children with comprehensive step- by-step advice on dealing with the problems of ADD. His approach blends the latest medical, nutritional, and psychological treatments that can increase brain function with expert insight into the emotional-and spiritual-support kids need.
Including assessment tests geared to help parents understand their child’s particular needs and practical information on proven treatment options, The ADD Answer explores:
• The role of nutrition in treating the disorder
• The positive effects of counseling and goal setting
• Advances in the field of biofeedback
• The importance of sleep, and much more
An inspiring and essential guide, The ADD Answer will help every family facing the challenges of ADD create a more loving, healthy environment necessary for their child to thrive.
Somewhat puzzled 2005-09-18
Read this book as a (divorced) father of 3 boys. One diagnosed with ADHD now 12 years old. In my opinion this book offers a series of helpful suggestions that could help in certain situations including useful checklists but certainly is not "THE ADD Answer". Overall the book seems to come up with somewhat typical USA style "perfect world solutions" for "out of control situations" which is a bit of a contradiction because "out of control situations" do not occur in a "perfect world". Reading the cases it amazed me how far both parents and "professionals" let things get out of hand concerning children and I must say that was fortunate enough to avoid the excesses as described in the book without having to rally around the child with the whole family (which doesn't exist in my case) etc.
The Add Answer- Read it with an open mind! 2005-08-21
While raising a son with ADD I have read many books and articles which seem to advocate one treatment or another. I find this book has a family centered approach. Solutions involve the family rather than the just the ADD child. And, while the book does give some intriguing alternatives to the usual medication regimes, it does not rule them out all together. I liked this book for the new ideas it presented without insisting that these are the only ones which will work. The author seems knowledgeable, has had a long practice and includes some personal experiences to illustrate his ideas.
Why all the fuss? 2005-07-21
I don't quite understand why some are discounting Lawliss' suggestions because he is a psychologist and not an M.D. Most M.D.s who suspect that a child exhibits symptoms of ADD/ADHD refer the parents and child to a psychologist, who will properly diagnose and, if necessary, treat the child. At least, in my experience, this is the normal course. If psychologists are the experts in this arena, then what's the problem?
This book offers great alternatives to medicine, but is not an absolute alternative, nor does Lawliss claim to offer absolute alternatives.
The ADD Answer 2005-07-19
This book has very pertanent information that parents, teachers, and other people working with ADD children need.
