What Your ADHD Child Wishes You Knew by Sharon Saline Summary

What Your ADHD Child Wishes You Knew by Dr. Sharon Saline provides actionable strategies for parents raising children with ADHD. It combines psychological expertise with real-life stories to teach collaborative problem-solving, emotional regulation, and executive functioning tools. The book’s award-winning 5C’s framework (self-Control, Compassion, Collaboration, Consistency, Celebration) helps families reduce conflict and foster success in school, relationships, and daily life.

This book is essential for parents, caregivers, and educators of children or teens with ADHD. It’s also valuable for therapists seeking relatable communication techniques and adults with ADHD aiming to understand their own challenges. Dr. Saline’s insights bridge gaps between neurodiverse experiences and practical parenting solutions.

With over 75,000 copies sold and accolades like the American Book Fest Parenting & Family Award, this book is widely praised for its empathy and effectiveness. Parents report improved family dynamics, while experts like Rick Green (Founder of TotallyADD) call it a “must-read.” Its focus on collaboration over control makes it a standout resource.

The 5C’s—self-Control, Compassion, Collaboration, Consistency, Celebration—are core principles for managing ADHD challenges. Dr. Saline emphasizes working with children to build executive functioning skills, address emotional outbursts, and celebrate small wins. This approach reduces power struggles and fosters mutual respect.

The book introduces the STOP-THINK-ACT method to help children pause during emotional highs, assess choices, and respond calmly. Dr. Saline also explains how ADHD impacts emotional maturity (often lagging 3 years behind peers) and offers scripts for validating feelings while setting boundaries.

Key homework solutions include:

• Breaking tasks into smaller steps using the Rule of 3 (Look-Listen-Speak).
• Creating structured routines with visual reminders.
• Using incentives tied to short-term goals.
  Dr. Saline stresses collaborative planning to reduce procrastination and build accountability.

Dr. Saline compares executive functioning to a “brain director” that organizes tasks, prioritizes, and manages time. She details how ADHD delays these skills and offers tools like mindfulness exercises, checklist systems, and environmental adjustments to strengthen them.

• “ADHD is not a choice—it’s a wiring difference.”
• “Your child’s behavior is a form of communication.”
  These quotes underscore the book’s theme of reframing ADHD as a neurodiverse trait requiring understanding, not correction.

Unlike punitive or purely clinical guides, Dr. Saline’s work prioritizes collaboration and emotional connection. It uniquely integrates children’s own voices, offering a balanced mix of science-backed strategies and compassionate storytelling.

Yes! The book advises setting clear tech boundaries using “screen time agreements” and promoting offline activities that build focus. Dr. Saline highlights how dopamine-seeking ADHD brains are drawn to screens and suggests alternatives like physical play or creative hobbies.

Some readers note the strategies require consistent effort and may not suit severe behavioral cases. However, most agree the book’s empathetic tone and adaptable tools make it a valuable starting point for families new to ADHD.

As ADHD diagnoses rise, Dr. Saline’s focus on reducing stigma and fostering resilience remains critical. Updated insights into neurodiversity and remote learning challenges keep the book a timely resource for modern parenting.