ADHD Memoir Published by Youngest-ever Author

Blake Taylor is a freshman at the University of California at Berkley. For the last two years, he's spent summer vacations writing his memoirs about life with ADHD, and the book is finally ready for release.

"Taylor is being considered the youngest American to publish a personal account of his life with ADHD. A determined 18-year-old from Weston, Conn., Taylor says he wants to give readers insight into what it's like day-to-day to have ADHD, and to combat the stereotype that the widespread neuro-developmental disorder is really just an excuse for unruly behavior or the result of bad parenting."

The paperback book follows Taylor on his journey from trouble-making 5-year-old to hard-working, socially active college freshman. It chronicles the trial and error he had to go through to find the right combination of medication, self-imposed organization, and rest. Read more at WebWire.com.

Taylor is proof that children with ADHD can go to college and earn academic and personal success. The Cedars Academy offers a post-secondary program that prepares ADHD students for college and life after high school.

Book Offers Hope to ADHD Kids

"Dusty's Dilemma" is the story of a young boy who hears the label ADHD so much that he has a dream about it. In the dream, all of the kids in his classroom have ADD, and the teacher has a magical pair of glasses that allow her to see every child's future.

"'The goal with this book, [Author Drema] Hymon said, 'is to get kids to believe that no matter if you have ADD or ADHD, you can still learn.'"

Hymon's own son was diagnosed with ADD in grade school. Though his early years of school were tough, he went on to earn a 4.0 in his first year of college.

One of the characters in the book, Sammy, grows up to be a Harlem Globetrotter. The real-life Harlem Globetrotters team has read the book, loves it, and intends to give it their official endorsement. Read more online.

The Transition to College

College is a unique and exciting experience, but it can also be overwhelming, especially for teens with ADD/ADHD. As a parent, there are steps you can take to help your teen make a smooth transition into college life.

"Around February of his senior year, begin to withdraw your daily supervision and support. (Of course, you should warn him first!) Think of the next six or seven months as college training camp, a time for him to learn how to handle freedom. Without the help of mom or dad, he should practice living independently..."

The better prepared your child is for living on his own and managing the often hectic pace of college life, the more he'll be able to enjoy his college experience. Read more at AdditudeMag.com.

Cedars Academy, a private boarding school for boys and girls with ADD/ADHD, has a Post-Secondary Program designed to help students build their college experience after they finish their senior year. Cedar's progam gives students a year to experience college life, while still having the support of a structured environment.