ADHD Thrive Book 3

Fun and Engaging Techniques to Build Emotional Intelligence, Improve Focus, … Master Emotional Regulation

This two-part workbook uses a combination of practical approaches from CBT and DBT, shaped to guide parents and children through the ups and downs of ADHD and ODD. It is built around activities that give kids the space to focus, manage their anger, and relate to their emotions in ways that feel less forced and more understandable. Each exercise encourages parents and children to work together, strengthening their connection and showing that progress can come one small step at a time.

Readers will find that the ideas here feel manageable and clear. There are no confusing methods that create extra pressure, and the tone remains steady and calm. The aim is to reduce tension, communicate more openly, and foster a sense of trust. Over time, these simple, gentle strategies can help both parents and children find a more comfortable rhythm in their daily lives.

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Excerpt from CBT & DBT Workbook for Children with ADHD & Anger Management © Copyright 2024 SpreadLife Publishing

Introduction

You can learn many things from children. How much patience you have, for instance.

—Franklin P. Adams

Colleen’s expectations about motherhood before and after she had her four children are quite different. Granted, she wasn’t so overly optimistic that she expected having children who never misbehaved or were always docile, obedient, and Shepford-bound.

But she certainly never expected a child with oppositional defiant disorder either.

When Tim was nearly seven years old, Colleen and her husband discovered there was something different about their second son. He had an anger and defiance that Colleen recognized weren’t typical of a child his age. His formerly cheerful and sweet demeanor had made way for something rather unpleasant—to put it mildly.

His behavioral change began with sudden outbursts of rage several times a day. Outbursts morphed into arguments and hurtful tantrums as his cognitive and intellectual abilities developed. It wasn’t long enough before Colleen admitted that her son’s behavior was far beyond her pay grade.

Registering her despair, Colleen confessed in her diary that she thought the “latest child from hell” in her neighborhood had chosen her family as a landing pad. “Today has been horrible,” she scribbled in the tear-stained diary. “Tim has pushed me to my absolute wits’ end.”

Describing her woes, she cheerlessly penned, “When he isn’t knocking down another child’s block tower or tearing papers all over the floor—for no reason other than that he has the strength to—he is throwing tantrums that could last for several hours.”

Concluding her entry, Colleen resolved, “I definitely need God’s help now—and possibly the help of a professional.”

After consulting with her family doctor, Colleen discovered her son was exhibiting behaviors of oppositional defiant disorder (ODD).

It was her first time hearing of such a behavioral disorder.

Colleen was immediately concerned, like any loving mother who has great plans and dreams for the future of her kids and family. Questions ran in all directions through her mind.

What challenges are ahead for my son, and the rest of the family? What’s the way out of this? What are the unavoidable or potential long-term effects?

Is this terminal? No. Life altering? Definitely.

The world of oppositional defiant disorder and parenting a child with this disorder—the subject of this book—can be complicated.

Sadly, many people don’t feel this is a real diagnosis, erroneously thinking a child is just not being raised well. Perhaps the parents or school teachers aren’t handling enough of the rod. Or the parents aren’t insisting on enough respect from the child, leaving the child to be in charge.

But as this self-help and easy-to-read parenting guide will show you, all that may hold some water until you speak with any mom (or dad) of an ODD kid. They could fight you all day on the fact that not only is this a real diagnosis, but they’re probably drowning in the situation.

ODD tries the limits of their wherewithal and patience, and they’re possibly fighting feelings of being a failure daily. They can remember the sweet baby they cuddled and cared for. Their adorable kid lavished the family with sweet giggles and growth spurts.

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