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Smart but Scattered: The Revolutionary 'Executive Skills' Approach to Helping Kids Reach Their Potential Audiobook
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(3.15) - 213 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
There's nothing more frustrating than watching your bright, talented son or daughter struggle with everyday tasks like finishing homework, putting away toys, or following instructions at school. Your "smart but scattered" child might also have trouble coping with disappointment or managing anger. Drs. Peg Dawson and Richard Guare have great news: there's a lot you can do to help.
The latest research in child development shows that many kids who have the brain and heart to succeed lack or lag behind in crucial "executive skills"—the fundamental habits of mind required for getting organized, staying focused, and controlling impulses and emotions. Learn easy-to-follow steps to identify your child's strengths and weaknesses, use activities and techniques proven to boost specific skills, and problem-solve daily routines. Small changes can add up to big improvements—this empowering book shows how.
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"I initially thought this book would be helpful in parenting kids with ADHD but it is really an excellent resource for parents of typically developing children as well as those with deficits in their executive functioning skills. I really should buy it as a reference. After reading it I finally understood something our psychologist had tried to explain to me previously - that attention and emotional regulation are linked. You use the same part of the brain for each of these skills so when you work on and strengthen one skill you may see improvement in the other executive functioning skill as well."
— Kim (5 out of 5 stars)
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“Groundbreaking…Compassionate and parent friendly…Dawson and Guare’s personal anecdotes lend immediacy…Smart but Scattered is comprehensive, accessible, and hopeful…Dawson and Guare’s work should be considered essential.”
— Library Journal -
“This brilliant book is by far the best on the topic that I have read to date.”
— Russell A. Barkley, PhD, ABPP, author of Taking Charge of ADHD -
“Do you feel stymied by your child’s failure to live up to his or her potential? Have you run out of ideas about how to handle the situation? Look no further—this fascinating and readable book is packed full of useful ideas that will help you understand what the problem is and how you can help. It presents practical and proven techniques based on rigorous scientific research.”
— Peter Farrell, PhD, University of Manchester (UK); past president, International School Psychology Association -
“Susan Ericksen provides a clear, sympathetic reading.”
— Library Journal (audio review) -
“While Susan Ericksen’s distinct and assertive enunciation promotes respect for these ideas, her warmth also makes them sound inviting. Her steady engagement with both her listeners and this well-written guide is a comforting support for the authors’ message: Poor performance is not a disease but the result of substandard mental habits that any child can improve with sensitive, targeted interventions.”
— AudioFile -
Dawson and Guare's work should be considered essential.
— Library Journal Starred Review
Smart but Scattered Listener Reviews
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" The new buzzword/term in special education is "executive function." This book does a good job explaining it and how to deal with it with kids ages 0-12 years old. "
— Peter, 2/14/2014 -
" interesting book for parents who are facing the challenge of raising a child with special needs. "
— Juan, 2/13/2014 -
" Very good. A bit lengthy in part but the information is all very very good.mwould recommend with any child who seems to have trouble with executive skills "
— Kate, 1/30/2014 -
" This book came at a perfect time....helped me understand my son's issues in more detail and gave me the motivation to continue to work on these things. I will buy this book to have for future reference. "
— Karen, 1/29/2014 -
" This is a great book on helping children learn and develop life skills. The authors simply label 11 skills parent need to help their children develop and they provide strategies to help parents help their kids. In an age where every mis behavior is some kind of disorder, this book offers good insight into addressing these behaviors and correcting them. I would recomment this book to all parents or parents to be. "
— Jacob, 1/28/2014 -
" Going to have to buy this one. "
— Greta, 1/16/2014 -
" Identifies what executive function deficits look like in a very realistic context, then provides very specific strategies for parents to use to build executive function in their children. Easy to follow. "
— Briana, 1/16/2014 -
" Practical guide for identifying which executive skills need most support and how to improve them. Geared towards younger children and middle schoolers, although some ideas can be extrapolated for teens and adults. "
— Lisa, 1/6/2014 -
" Excellent ideas for parents in helping kids with a variety of executive functioning skills. Suggestions and resources are sound and usable. Highly recommended "
— Maya, 1/3/2014 -
" Very good descriptions of my daughter's behavior. A great explanation as to why she and I seem to clash so much (opposite strengths and weaknesses). Now the hard part: putting it into practice. "
— Libby, 1/1/2014 -
" I finally understand executive functioning, how it's different from ADHD, and how my kids and I each have different Ex.Func. strengths and weaknesses. It has great strategies on how to communicate and motivate kids with certain E.F. issues. I'm debating buying it as a perpetual reference guide. "
— Andrea, 12/28/2013 -
" A book that can change the way you see yourself and others... positively helpful. "
— Maureen, 12/4/2013 -
" Excellent book with great ideas. Great for therapists, teachers and parents. "
— Miriam, 11/10/2013 -
" Lots of good strategies for helping kids with executive skills. Not easy, but good ideas! "
— Skye, 11/2/2013 -
" Excellent book that gives you concrete skills on how to help your child (or yourself) deal with ongoing organizational issues. Handy test at the beginning to help you figure out the specific areas in which your child needs help. A positive book with good hands on advice. "
— Robyn, 8/20/2013 -
" If you have or are working with a kid with ADD or ADHD or on the spectrum, this is a must read! "
— Stephanie, 6/30/2013 -
" This book is probably great for the parent that wants to know how a therapist could/should work with a child. It is a bit overwhelming for most parents to try to implement. "
— Nancy, 6/11/2013 -
" Looks at school and life skills in a scientific way. Great tool for evaluating self in the executive skills strength and weaknesses. Honest examples of home and school situations and the connections between the two settings in relation to a child's executive skills strengths and weaknesses. "
— Barbara, 6/10/2013 -
" Useful information, but more oriented towards younger kids, while I'm looking for strategies for a teen. "
— Heather, 6/3/2013 -
" I had hoped for something more practical and less theoretical. I was disappointed. "
— Sandy, 1/1/2013 -
" Fairly common sense. Use lists to help kids stay organized. "
— Lindsay, 12/7/2012 -
" This is an excellent resource for parents of children who lack executive skills. It systematically explains how to detect problems, define problems, and work with students to improve executive skills. "
— Susan, 11/22/2012 -
" a definite good resource for managing a child with learning issues!!! "
— Jamie, 11/17/2012 -
" Great book for every parent and teacher of a kid who marches to a different drummer. I related to the student vignettes and appreciate the common-sense approach to helping kids take responsibility and grow. "
— Susan, 10/2/2012 -
" Crazy interesting. I read it in an effort to raise a perfect child, but spent most of the book obsessively analyzing myself and my shortcomings. "
— Keith, 8/10/2012 -
" My favorite parts were the clearly laid out plans for how to tackle certain behaviors. Very good book. "
— Elliemae, 8/6/2012
About the Authors
Peg Dawson, EdD, is a staff psychologist at the Center for Learning and Attention Disorders in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. She is a past president of both the National Association of School Psychologists and the International School Psychology Association. She is a recipient of the National Association of School Psychologists’ Lifetime Achievement Award and has coauthored several books, including, with Richard Guare, PhD, Coaching Students with Executive Skills Deficits and Executive Skills in Children and Adolescents, among others.
Richard Guare, PhD, is a neuropsychologist and director of the Center for Learning and Attention Disorders. His research and publications focus on understanding and treatment of learning and attention difficulties and neurological disorders. He is board certified as a behavior analyst, and he frequently serves as a consultant for schools and agencies. He has coauthored several books, including, with Peg Dawson, EdD, Coaching Students with Executive Skills Deficits and Executive Skills in Children and Adolescents, among others.
About Susan Ericksen
Susan Ericksen is an actor and voice-over artist. She has been awarded numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards as well as the prestigious Audie Award for best narration. As an actor and director, she has worked in theaters throughout the country.