Kosher ADHD: Surviving and Thriving in the Torah-Observant World by Sara Markowitz, Ph.D
A PRACTICAL APPROACH HOW TO TRANSFORM THE CHAOS OF ADHD INTO A FULFILLING TORAH-OBSERVANT LIFE.
IDEAL FOR JEWISH EDUCATORS, RABBIS, THERAPISTS, AND CONCERNED PARENTS. WITH A SECTION ON FRUM ADULTS STRUGGLING WITH ADHD.
Whether you are a concerned parent, rebbe, teacher, therapist, or frum adult struggling with ADHD yourself, this book offers unique strategies to help overcome the challenges of ADHD – not just in general, but also with specific observances like Shabbat, prayer, and Talmud study. Synthesizing Jewish insight with contemporary psychology, Drs. Chesner and Markowitz provide guidance to thrive personally, and within the family, school, and community.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is difficult for any child and adult, but it is particularly challenging for the religious Jew. So many aspects of the frum lifestyle can be almost impossible for a child with ADHD: sitting still during a long Shabbos davening or Shabbos meal; finding a way to daven with kavana when the child's mind is wandering during prayer and cannot stay focused; remembering to make brachos before eating when a child struggles with impulsivity and wants to eat right away; and remembering to say Modeh Ani and wash netilas yadayim in the morning. So many aspects of Orthodox Judaism require intense focus and discipline. To make matters worse, parents, rabbis, and educators understandably get frustrated when children cannot sit still and think the students lack yiras Shamayim (reverence of Heaven). This only exacerbates the issue, since students feel like they are being punished for behaviors that they cannot control.
KOSHER ADHD draws on the most up-to-date and contemporary literature on the cutting edge of the proper understanding of this condition. The authors explain how there is a clash between inborn neurology and societal expectations. They argued that there is a need for a renewed, non-judgmental attitude with developmentally attuned parenting. As the children realize that they are not being judged, they can work on their executive functioning, break their bad habits, and grow to admire the adults in their lives as their primary role models. This book explains how to help keep ADHD children in the religious fold, find their own path in Orthodox Judaism, and become religiously, spiritually, and emotionally well adjusted.