AFMW is delighted to share the following book review submitted by Dr Johanna Skinner regarding the publication “Out of the Box: A one-stop guide to navigating neurodivergence” by Madonna King and Rebecca Sparrow.
“As a busy GP, I have been inundated with patients requesting assessment for themselves or their children for ADHD. Despite the release of a guideline for ADHD in October 2022, I still find it very difficult to find good and easy to read resources that I can recommend to patients in the long interval before they can secure an appointment with a psychiatrist or paediatrician. They can be prohibitively expensive and the same applies to psychologists. While not a substitute for assessment and good medical care and support, the newly released book, Out of the Box, is very helpful with many simple things that parents can do immediately to make life easier to navigate for their child. Each chapter includes a summary of the important topics discussed including issues like making friends, choosing a school, dating and what happens after school.” Dr Skinner
Thank you for your contribution Dr Skinner.
‘Out of the Box’ – My Review
I suspect I am not the only GP who feels helpless when confronted with a new diagnosis of ASD or ADHD. Neurodivergence is very common and yet it is so challenging to find a psychologist, paediatrician, or psychiatrist with capacity, and the cost of diagnosis and management can be prohibitive for many families. Despite the publication of the first comprehensive guidelines for the diagnosis and management of ADHD in October 2022, access to care is limited to those with funding and even then, there are long delays and limited resources.
I was very fortunate to be gifted a copy of the recently released book, Out of the Box, co-authored by Madonna King and Rebecca Sparrow. It is a comprehensive and easy to read guide for families who are struggling to understand neurodivergence and wanting to provide support for their children and teens. I devoured the book over a weekend, and it is on my desk at work as a useful resource.
The book is the result of two thousand interviews with families, educators, psychologists, children, teens, and medical staff and puts a human face on neurodivergence. I have been recommending it widely to patients, psychologists, and friends, grateful to have a useful guide that not only provides useful insights into being neurodivergent but simple tips for managing important issues like making friends and transitioning to high school. Each chapter targets the concerns arising at each stage of life with King and Sparrow not afraid to tackle difficult issues like dating and the post-school years.
One of the most useful things about this guide is that at the end of each chapter there are summaries with dot point highlighting the important issues covered. I refer to these often when faced with parents wanting to make a difference in their children’s lives while waiting for appointments that may be months down the track. The final chapter provides an overview of the NDIS for families struggling to fund the necessary supports for their child with autism.
I didn’t have a good appreciation of what it means to live with a neurodivergent brain. The poignant personal stories shared by the children and teens in the book have given me a much greater insight into the challenges they face. I attended the launch of Out of the Box in Brisbane, alongside a number of my patients. Several brave children and teens took to the podium to help the audience understand the world from their point of view. Madonna King later pointed out that many of the small changes that would make life easier for the neurodivergent also make life better for all of us. Improved wellbeing for everyone is surely a good enough incentive to reconsider how we structure the environments where we learn, work, and relax.
While the wait lists have not improved and the cost of diagnosis and management remain high, I feel more confident that I can contribute positively to the outcomes of those with neurodivergence. I recommend King and Sparrow’s book to other professionals who need a user-friendly resource to share with families seeking to understand the nuts and bolts of what it means to live with a neurodivergent brain.
View the publication:
Out of the Box: A one-stop guide to navigating neurodivergence >>
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