Otto Learns About His Medicine by Matthew Galvin

Otto Learns About His Medicine by Matthew Galvin

Otto is a high-octane young car whose motor runs too fast. He also has trouble paying attention in school, is easily distracted, and says and does things without thinking. Otto and his parents visit a special mechanic, who prescribes a medicine to help slow down Otto amp rsquo s racing motor. Otto also meets other mechanics in his pit crew, who will show him ways to be more focused and organized, and teach him ways to get along better with others. This new edition of a classic resource for young children and their families includes the latest advances in the understanding of ADHD. An expanded Note to Parents by the author discusses treatment approaches and current findings about medications, including their possible side effects. From the Note to Parents: Children may be worried or frightened regarding medication. Information can help reduce their worries and correct unrealistic ideas. Many different medications are available for use in ADHD. Often the first choice is from the family of medications called psychostimulants. The term amp ldquo stimulant amp rdquo sometimes creates confusion. I am often asked, amp ldquo Won amp rsquo t a stimulant cause my child to be even more hyperactive? I definitely don amp rsquo t want that! amp rdquo Neither does your doctor. It is helpful to think of these medications as stimulating the pathways in the brain that allow a person to focus and to make more efficient use of their working memory and problem-solving skills. They also help the person be in a position to acquire and practice new problem-solving skills. Problem- solving skills include: . Stopping and recognizing there amp rsquo s a problem to be solved 2. Thinking through alternative ways of solving it 3. Thinking about the consequences of each alternative solution 4. Choosing a solution based on how those consequences are valued 5. Devising a strategy for implementing the solution. In daily living, things happen and people respond. In shorthand, let amp rsquo s say S (denoting something happens) is followed by R (denoting a person amp rsquo s response), or S-R. Think of the hyphen between S and R as a way to represent the chance to focus. In a person with ADHD, the hyphen is shorter than it is in others. Medications draw the hyphen out more, from S-R to, say, S---R. It is important to understand that medication doesn amp rsquo t fill in the hyphen, though. Medication doesn amp rsquo t think things through or make one mindful of alternatives, consequences, or strategies. It doesn amp rsquo t create or understand values, or make choices for good or ill. The person has to do all that, although he or she can find help from the pit crew.

"All children are a bit apprehensive about doctorsTo put your child at ease, read him the story of Otto, a fidgety young car. The author likens a hyperactive child to a car in need of a tune-up. Otto can’t remember important information, and he can’t focus long enough to learn how to drive. The tune-up metaphor offers a non-threatening way for children to learn about medical check-ups, and they’ll see how medication can help them 'run' better."—ADDitude Magazine

Praise for previous editions:

"The real test was our son, who thought it was terrific, the best."—member, CHADD (Children and Adults With ADD), New York City Chapter

"Otto is an ideal vehicle for helping young children understand their difficulties."—California Association of Resource Specialists

Matthew Galvin, MD, is a psychiatrist with an expertise in children and adolescents, as well as the author of several books on topics of special concern to young people, including Clouds and Clocks and Otto Learns About His Medicine. He lives with his family in Indiana.

Sandra Laramore Ferraro is both a special education teacher for children and an artist who concentrates mainly in oil painting and printmaking. She has collaborated with Matthew Galvin on several children's books, including Otto Learns About His Medicine, contributing her highly colorful and energetic illustrations. She lives in Indiana with her son and two daughters.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9781557987716
ISBN 10	1557987718
Title	Otto Learns About His Medicine
Author	Matthew Galvin
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Hardback
Publisher	American Psychological Association
Year published	2001-07-15
Number of pages	32
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.