Christian Book Notes

Dr. Tyler, David M. and Kurt P. Grady, Pharm. D.  ADHD: Deceptive Diagnosis.  Focus Publishing, 2008.  186 pp.  $12.95.  Purchase at Amazon for less.

Introduction

David M. Tyler is the director of Gateway Biblical Counseling and Training Center in Fairview Heights, Illinois. He also serves as Dean of the Biblical Counseling Department and Vice President of the Board of Directors of Master’s International School of Divinity in Evansville, Indiana.

Kurt Grady is a pharmacist as well as a pastor in the St. Louis area.  He has co-authored Deceptive Diagnosis: When Sin is Called Sickness with Dr. Tyler.

I have reviewed Dr. Tyler’s work, God’s Funeral.

Summary

Obviously, just by title alone, you can figure that Tyler and Grady are setting out to tackle the thorny subject of ADD/ADHD as well as psychology in general.  The work is divided into two parts with a total of twelve chapters.  The first part is the how–how you should proceed counseling those children in your congregation that have been diagnosed with ADD/ADHD as well as how to biblically interact with their parents.

Chapter one presents the evidence for a lack of consistency in diagnosing ADHD while chapter two argues that the Bible effectively, and consistently, diagnoses the problem.  Building on those two chapters, they offer an extensive chapter on what it means to train in righteousness.  The final three chapters in the first part look at various case studies and even the argument for adult ADHD.

Part two looks deeper at the history of ADHD and the “cures” that have been offered.  It is in this part where the authors make the case that psychiatrists and psychologists have bought into an unbiblical framework.  They show through historical record and scientific evidence that ADHD is a ghost or junk category used to settle children down to make teaching in the public sector more effective.

They conclude with a couple chapters that argue for the use of the Bible and the principles found therein to be your resource to deal with your child’s “ADHD.”

Review

I know that that the subject of ADD/ADHD is a very controversial subject.  Sadly, this is not just in the secular world!  While I served as a children’s minister, I had quite a few parents come to me to let me know the doctor’s wanted their children to be tested for ADHD.  I would try to talk them out of it, but alas, they would have the child tested and then put on whatever medication that would “work.”

Tyler and Grady do a wonderful job of making their case against the ADD/ADHD epidemic.  In so doing, they place the responsibility of the child’s behavior squarely where it belongs–the child.  Their chapter showing the various symptoms of ADD/ADHD compared to the same behavior that the Bible calls sin is eye opening.

Also appreciated were the chapters that offered step-by-step instructions for dealing with the heart issues proved to be very helpful in showing the reader how this should be done.  Ultimately, their argument that, for the believer, the Bible should be their sole source of parenting is to be commended and must be confronted with by Christian parents seeking to raise their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord.

Recommendation

If you are a parent and your child has been diagnosed with ADD/ADHD or the conversation has traveled down that path with your school, I would recommend you pick up this book and seriously consider what Tyler and Grady have to say.  The chapters that offered instruction on how to actually instruct your children with Scripture will prove to be beneficial.  The parental tips and the substantial (and documented) evidence regarding the schizophrenic ADD/ADHD diagnosis make this resource an invaluable addition to a parents repertoire.