Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. The Journeys: The People and Their Stories (2005). By Donna Geffner, Ph.D., CCC-SLP/A. Publisher: Thinking Publications, 424 Galloway St., Eau Claire, WI 54702. 1-800-225-4769. www.ThinkingPublications.com. Cost:  $89.00 (S ($151.00 CAN) includes one DVD. Reviewed by: Paula S. Currie, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, Southeastern Louisiana University, P.O. Box 10879, Hammond, LA 70402.

Description:

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. The Journeys: The People and Their Stories is a single DVD. The attached information from the publisher indicated that there was a forward by Drs. Andrew Adesman and Judith Montgomery. Neither of these appeared on the DVD I reviewed. Also, the publisher's information indicated that this was a "90-minute video on DVD" however, the DVD I reviewed played for approximately 60-minutes.

The author states that the video provides "what professionals need to know about AD/HD".  The type(s) of professionals for whom the information is intended is not specified. The DVD may be useful in academic training programs (e.g., regular and special education, speech-language pathology, medical and nursing, psychology and social work, etc.). It would also be useful in clinical or educational settings for parent and client/patient training.

The purpose of the DVD is to provide information about the disorder (i.e., AD/HD) and personal accounts from individuals with the disorder and their family members. I would recommend that the facilitator of the DVD be knowledgeable about the topic and terminology contained in the video so that general questions could be answered, and that clarification of terminology would be accurate. 

No additional information was provided with the DVD, but a general overview of the contents and the clients who share their stories was on the back jacket of the DVD case.

Critique:

The author and publisher state that the information in the video is what professionals need to know about AD/HD. The information contained in the video is accurate and presents a good overview of the disorder. However, an instructor or facilitator using the DVD would likely have to first introduce the topic and information presented in the DVD because the author quickly presents classification categories, symptomology, assessment instruments and procedures, and terminology. Following an overview of the information presented in the DVD and time for discussion, the DVD would reinforce the concepts and the behaviors of clients presented in the video clips and the information would likely be more meaningful to a beginning-level student or nonprofessional.

The cost of the item is comparable with similar items. The video quality is somewhat out of focus, and the listener may hear a background buzz or hiss, but these aspects do not significantly impact the viewing of the DVD.

The author provides an overview of the types of Attention-Deficit Disorders, symptomology, audiological assessment, and intervention strategies. Information presented is appropriate to beginning-level students in various professional training programs (e.g., teacher education, speech-language pathology, medical and nursing, social work and psychology) and to individuals with the disorder and their family members. The author reviews the three categories of Attention Deficit Disorders presented in the DSM-IV and the disorder's associated behaviors and symptoms. Prevalence figures are presented for children and adults with AD/HD. 

Children and adults with AD/HD, mothers of children and a grandmother of a child with ADHD give an account of their experiences dealing with the disorder. Some of the individuals discuss the difficulties they had seeking a correct diagnosis; others discuss some of the problems they encountered in school and in social relationships; and all give suggestions on how to reduce the problems associated with AD/HD. In addition, the author gives the audience additional strategies to help individuals with AD/HD cope better at home, in school, and in work environments. The video clips compliment the information provided by the author. It is very difficult to find video clips of individuals with disabilities as they recount personal experiences dealing their difficulties and discussing their triumphs over the disability. The clients represent a wide age range, and various family members present different aspects of their own experiences and their loved-one's experiences with the disability.

The user may find it helpful to first introduce the classifications, terminology, and audiological assessments presented in the DVD. Viewers who are introductory-level or nonprofessionals would find it difficult to follow the information presented by the author without prior knowledge. Some visual outlines and definitions are presented in the video, but the majority of information is not accompanied by visual text. Also, a printed manual does not come with the DVD, so the instructor or facilitator would need to preview the video and develop his or her own instructional materials.
 
Viewers and instructors will value the Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder DVD as a valuable accompaniment to instructional materials for courses dealing with language-learning disabilities, overview courses in language disorders, courses that include auditory processing deficits, and counseling in communication disorders. Clinicians and educators will also value the DVD for its candid presentation of individuals with AD/HD and their stories of how they dealt with the disorder.