ADHD in HD: Brains Gone Wild

by Jonathan Chesner

Overview

From an early age, actor Jonathan Chesner knew he had the kind of brain that would wear a Hawaiian shirt, bright red pants, and cool painted shoes to a wedding while most other people’s brains would wear three-piece suits. He also knew that if he learned how to manage the difficulties of ADHD and harness its awesome powers, he would help other “special brains” by sharing this knowledge in a book to slay all other books.

This is that book. ADHD in HD: Brains Gone Wild is a kinetic collection of frank personal stories of failure and success, hilarious anecdotes, wild ideas, and point-blank advice that will resonate with teens and young adults. While most books on the topic are written to parents and educators, this is written to hold the attention of the teen and young adult ADHD reader: more than 60 short essays, interesting topics, wacky illustrations—all stamped with Jonathan’s irresistible humor.

The book addresses the four main characteristics of ADHD: hyperactivity, impulsivity, inattention, and indecisiveness. It provides positive advice about school, family life, social life, dating, careers, medicine, and how to be like Mr. T—even if you don’t have a Mohawk, lots of gold chains, or huge muscles.

Jonathan Chesner’s ADHD in HD is inspiring, upbeat, and fun and gives the unique perspective that ADHD isn’t all bad—it can actually be a blessing in disguise.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781575423869
Publisher:	Free Spirit Publishing, Inc.
Publication date:	04/09/2012
Pages:	160
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 7.50(h) x 0.37(d)
Lexile:	1070L (what's this?)
Age Range:	13 - 17 Years

About the Author

Jonathan Chesner started acting at age 18, and appears in national commercials, including a campaign for Jack in the Box that aired during the Super Bowl, and in television shows such as Veronica Mars and Bones. At 22, he started his own clothing company, NiZ Couture, a T-shirt line for young adults sold at better surf shops and boutiques in Southern California and Japan. Jonathan’s art has been shown in numerous art galleries as well as on his surf couture line. Major surf companies like Von Zipper and Future Fins have incorporated his conceptual work, and he is well-known for his unique and humorous collages. He lives in Los Angeles, California.

Table of Contents

Foreword (by Jeff Rowe, MD)

Melting Your Face Off with the Flames of Awesomeness (introduction to the book)

Me: Dolphin/You: Peacock (the day I realized I was a lot more hyper than other kids)

My Turn (when to talk, when to listen)

Disguises (behaving well in difficult territory)

Hi, I’m a Special Brain (how to deal with ignorant people)

Six Words That Go Great Together (defending personal decisions)

It Wasn’t Me, It Was A-D-D! (what to expect when diagnosed)

Keeping It Real (when to speak up and when to put a lid on it)

Keep It Down . . . Hey, What’s Up? (silence: a love/hate relationship)

The 7:30 to 3:30 (yearning for higher learning)

The Class-ickks (what to do about classes that make you go “ick”)

Comic Book Class (asking for alternative assignments)

Yeeeeeah, That’s Going to Be a Problem (after-school burnout)

Taking a Test at the Speed of a Tumbleweed (not being able to finish stuff)

Square Peg, Round Hole (finding the best way to learn)

Tell Me What You Want (What You Really, Really Want) (specification and clarification to prevent insubordination)

Subjects of Death (more about tough classes)

A Positive Perspective on School (‘cause it’s too easy to look at the glass as half full)

TV (television and you)

Brain Pep Talk (compartmentalizing negative things and staying positive)

Freaking Out (learning not to worry about failure)

Jobs (doing anything you want)

Why Rules Exist (the day I learned why rules exist)

Hold the Fern (dealing with distracting things)

Dreamland (when your imagination gets out of control)

The Doc (getting meds from the psychiatrist)

Looking Around (easily distracted or overly observant?)

Radness! (getting excited on random stuff)

Class: Buckle Up, It Might Get Bumpy (picking the best seat in the classroom)

Right When I Start Getting Good (getting left behind while trying to follow along)

Fade to Chinese (difficulty with learning for more than one hour at a time)

Ready, Set, Done (finishing things too quickly)

Foot Tapping for Health and Wellness (fidgeting your way to more defined calf muscles)

Making Friends in the Office (finding new friends in unlikely places)

Old People (really wise people with good advice)

Girls (plenty of fish in the sea)

No, Really? (famous special brains)

Girls Part 2 (hotness isn’t everything)

That Bully Was Being Bully (bullies, bullying, and other bullshiz)

Do Not Disturb Occupants! (not wanting to be bothered when you’re fingers deep in a project)

Old Ladies and Inappropriate Handshakes

Don’t Mix (saying the wrong thing to the wrong person)

Social Media for Dummies (being a responsible Internet citizen)

Selective Hearing (tuning out)

Good Point (focusing on your strengths)

Victories (turning your “A” in PE or computer class into a life mantra)

Team Explore (catering to your learning style)

Putting an Assignment on a Payment Plan (procrastinating)

Break It Down (not getting overwhelmed when you have a full plate)

Lazy? (lazy is different from being bored)

Worrying (how to do less of it)

Could Have Been a Millionaire Time #113 (following through on good ideas)

Future Employment? (uninvented jobs that I think would be cool)

A Few Real-World People You Should Know About (they did some pretty inspiring things)

Video Games vs. a Slap in the Face from Reality (making the most out of every situation)

The Bad Day vs. a Slap in the Face from Reality (why bad days often aren’t as bad as they seem)

We Only Eat with Free Range Forks (eating a common sense diet)

Snack Time (food advice)

A Letter to My Ex-Lover, Candy (avoiding too much sugar)

Judge, Jury, and Executioner (you inherited your special brain from a family member—use that to your advantage)

Time Out! (a strategy for dealing with confrontation)

Following Your Heart (what to do at a fork in the road)

Big Dreams (why you should pursue big things)

Editorial Reviews

As someone who has come to understand and even celebrate his disorder, the author presents a very different view of ADHD. The book contains 60 topics arranged in a somewhat random order, with advice for young people who have ADHD to help them to be successful in life. Chesner writes with a great deal of humor and makes good use of examples to get his points across. Not only does he give great suggestions on how to succeed in secondary school, but he also candidly talks about the advantages of having a “special brain” and how thinking in a different way can be something to be proud of. While the tips are short, easy to read and understand, and very useful, there is one small caution. The book is written on colorful pages with a variety of graphics and backgrounds. Although this mimics the thought patterns of a person with ADHD, it might prove to be too distracting for a “special brain” to read and comprehend. However, it’s definitely worth the try. Chesner’s frank approach to problems that have occurred in his life is refreshing as well as somewhat disarming. Those who are struggling with ADHD need to see that having it is not all a downer and that there are many people with the disorder who have been über-successful.—School Library Journal

“ADHD in HD is good fun advice for special and non-special brains alike, but instead of coming from some random dork, it comes from Jonathan, who’s like your buddy from high school—but in the future.”—Matt Powers, Formula DRIFT Pro driver, driftparty.com

A writer with ADHD shares his experiences and offers practical advice to readers who might also have brains that are wired differently.

“My name is Jonathan, and I have a special brain,” says Chesner, who is quick to tell readers he is a perfectly smart person; he even attended the University of Southern California and received a degree in public policy. But he knew early on that his brain wasn’t like other people’s brains. He says, “I had the type of brain that would wear a Hawaiian shirt, bright red pants, and cool painted shoes to a wedding.” From garish cover to hyperactive format, the design of the volume imitates the author’s brain—lots of bright yellow, more than 60 short chapters on distinct topics for easy and frenetic skipping around and many photographs, drawings and speech bubbles. In the midst of the hyperactive goings-on, Chesner offers plenty of good-hearted advice on such topics as dating, homework, snacks and family life, concluding by advising readers to follow their hearts and dreams. He cautions that life isn’t a fairy tale, and “most dreams don’t come true,” but readers will never know if they don’t try.

Readers with ADHD, and anyone else for that matter, will like the “go for it” spirit of a writer who found blessings in his struggles with his “special brain.” (glossary, index, about the author) (Nonfiction. 12 & up)—Kirkus

Actor, entrepreneur, and artist Chesner, who was diagnosed with ADHD at an early age, has created the kind of upbeat and informative book for those with “special brains” that he would have liked to have read as a teen. Throughout the many, mostly two-page chapters, the focus is on seven topics that pop up randomly but are easily discernible by icons, or “topic keys,” placed within each of the sections, so those just interested in reading about, for instance, school can simply flip to those sections with that icon. The other topics are authority figures (parents, too!), distractions, food, the future, meds, and social life. Pocket-size, eccentrically designed, and filled with humorous black-and-white visuals (with ample yellow highlights), this will surely appeal to those who have short attention spans. With much practical advice (for example, taking “baby steps” when trying to establish eating habits), this packs in plenty of valuable content—and is pretty enjoyable, too.—Booklist

VOYA’s 2012 Nonfiction Honor List

“A high-energy, firsthand look at ADHD that is meant to be read quickly and repeatedly. Approaching his ‘special brain’ as a blessing in disguise, the author offers anecdotes and advice on topics ranging from school to meds to friendship.”—VOYA

Jonathan Chesner was diagnosed with ADHD at age seven. After years of living with what he calls his “special brain,” Chesner has written a brief and funny guide to what it is like to have ADHD. Content is presented in short bursts with illustrations everywhere. It is visually frenetic, mirroring how an ADHD brain works most of the time. Tips for succeeding with ADHD, based on the author’s experiences, suggest that getting homework or other kinds of assignments done requires silent and distraction-free zones. He also suggests that those with ADHD avoid junk food, try medication and psychiatry if other routes do not work, and trust their instincts. The table of contents helps readers organize how they want to read the book; going front to back is not necessary because the contents are not presented in any linear progression and the glossary will help with some terms Chesner uses.

ADHD in HD works at several levels—as a validation for those with “special brains,” a suggestion guide for surviving and adapting, both in school and life, and a brief and non-threatening introduction to others who know, live, work with, or teach someone with ADHD. The book should be read by all educators and given to any adolescent diagnosed with this disorder.—VOYA

“This hysterical and helpful book is a must-read for anyone with ADHD. Especially great for kids and teens, but as a hyperactive adult with ADHD, I loved it, too.”—Zoë Kessler, ChickADD

From the Publisher

Jonathan Chesner was diagnosed with ADHD at age seven. After years of living with what he calls his "special brain," Chesner has written a brief and funny guide to what it is like to have ADHD. Content is presented in short bursts with illustrations everywhere. It is visually frenetic, mirroring how an ADHD brain works most of the time. Tips for succeeding with ADHD, based on the author's experiences, suggest that getting homework or other kinds of assignments done requires silent and distraction-free zones. He also suggests that those with ADHD avoid junk food, try medication and psychiatry if other routes do not work, and trust their instincts. The table of contents helps readers organize how they want to read the book; going front to back is not necessary because the contents are not presented in any linear progression and the glossary will help with some terms Chesner uses. ADHD in HD works at several levels—as a validation for those with "special brains," a suggestion guide for surviving and adapting, both in school and life, and a brief and non-threatening introduction to others who know, live, work with, or teach someone with ADHD. The book should be read by all educators and given to any adolescent diagnosed with this disorder. Reviewer: Suanne Roush

VOYA - Suanne Roush

Gr 7 Up—As someone who has come to understand and even celebrate his disorder, the author presents a very different view of ADHD. The book contains 60 topics arranged in a somewhat random order, with advice for young people who have ADHD to help them to be successful in life. Chesner writes with a great deal of humor and makes good use of examples to get his points across. Not only does he give great suggestions on how to succeed in secondary school, but he also candidly talks about the advantages of having a "special brain" and how thinking in a different way can be something to be proud of. While the tips are short, easy to read and understand, and very useful, there is one small caution. The book is written on colorful pages with a variety of graphics and backgrounds. Although this mimics the thought patterns of a person with ADHD, it might prove to be too distracting for a "special brain" to read and comprehend. However, it's definitely worth the try. Chesner's frank approach to problems that have occurred in his life is refreshing as well as somewhat disarming. Those who are struggling with ADHD need to see that having it is not all a downer and that there are many people with the disorder who have been über-successful.—Wendy Smith-D'Arezzo, Loyola College, Baltimore, MD

School Library Journal

A writer with ADHD shares his experiences and offers practical advice to readers who might also have brains that are wired differently. "My name is Jonathan, and I have a special brain," says Chesner, who is quick to tell readers he is a perfectly smart person; he even attended the University of Southern California and received a degree in public policy. But he knew early on that his brain wasn't like other people's brains. He says, "I had the type of brain that would wear a Hawaiian shirt, bright red pants, and cool painted shoes to a wedding." From garish cover to hyperactive format, the design of the volume imitates the author's brain--lots of bright yellow, more than 60 short chapters on distinct topics for easy and frenetic skipping around and many photographs, drawings and speech bubbles. In the midst of the hyperactive goings-on, Chesner offers plenty of good-hearted advice on such topics as dating, homework, snacks and family life, concluding by advising readers to follow their hearts and dreams. He cautions that life isn't a fairy tale, and "most dreams don't come true," but readers will never know if they don't try. Readers with ADHD, and anyone else for that matter, will like the "go for it" spirit of a writer who found blessings in his struggles with his "special brain." (glossary, index, about the author) (Nonfiction. 12 & up)

Kirkus Reviews