Description
Book SynopsisDiagnosed with ADHD while he was a struggling college student, Robert Jergen's incredible life story progresses from being a happy child who enjoyed school and wanted to learn to a state of withdrawal and depression because of the constant reprimands from his parents and teachers. By eighth grade, Jergen had twice tried killing himself. By college, he was an alcoholic. Finally, when he thought he was going to end up in a "white padded room," he was diagnosed with ADHD. Years of pain, anguish, frustration, anger, and rejection were suddenly explained. Jergen describes how he turned ADHD into an asset that enabled him to get his Ph.D. in half the time as his non-ADHD peers, become a tenured associate professor at age 34, publish five books in two years, and—most importantly—find peace and happiness. Jergen presents ADHD from the view of the child who actually has it and illustrates how constant academic and social failures can gradually wear away at the child's self-esteem and feelings of self-worth. The Little Monster is a valuable tool for any parent, professional, or individual who is touched by ADHD or similar conditions.
Trade ReviewRobert Jergen’s The Little Monster: Growing Up With ADHD, is a must-read for parents, teachers, and employers who want to understand the world of those who have attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. The central message of this book...is very positive....chapters...offer strategies and suggestions—for those with ADHD... Jergen’s memories and ideas are insightful...and instructive. -- Jerry McGovern * Press-Republican, (Plattsburgh, Ny) *
Jergen...tells of his struggles growing up with...ADHD, and describes how...he turned his ADHD into an asset that enabled him to get a PhD, become a tenured professor at the age of 34, and publish five books in two years. * Reference and Research Book News *
Jergen's book is one more in an increasing number of titles about how people can overcome the stigma of growing up with a disability that was unheard of during their childhoods....This is an interesting book, particularly for concerned parents of children with ADHD. * CHOICE *
Robert Jergen is an engaging writer and, as an autobiographer should, he knows his subject very well. Many of his points about the difficulty of diagnosing ADHD and the high incidence of misdiagnosis will be useful for readers. * Metapsychology Online *
Robert Jergen . . . has done us a favor by telling the story of ADHD—Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder—from the perspective of the child. * Green Bay Press-Gazette, (Wisconsin) *
Table of ContentsChapter 1 Acknowledgments Chapter 2 Preface Chapter 3 A Brief Overview of ADHD—Understanding the Power Chapter 4 1. Meet the Jergens Chapter 5 2. Welcome to My World Chapter 6 3. Send in the Teachers Chapter 7 4. Junior High: Heroes and Hope Gone Chapter 8 5. Hobbits, High School, and New Homes Chapter 9 6. Boilermakers and Fuzzy Navels Chapter 10 7. Rebecca and the Adult World Chapter 11 8. EEG, MRI, A-OK Chapter 12 9. Storming the Gates of the Ivory Tower Chapter 13 10. Life after School Chapter 14 11. A Look at the Present Chapter 15 12. Strategies for Changing My Environments Chapter 16 13. Strategies for Learning to Learn Chapter 17 14. Strategies for Building Emotional Support Chapter 18 15. A Look Behind Chapter 19 16. A Look Forward Chapter 20 17. Some Suggestions for Parents, Teachers, and People with ADHD Chapter 21 About the Author
