I was sent this book written by Emma Mahony for the purpose of review. All thoughts and opinions are our own. This post contains affiliate links.
About The Book
Better Late Than Never is an honest, funny, moving depiction of life with ADHD. It explores the way it impacted Emma’s life from childhood through to adulthood, its impact on mental health and how finally getting a diagnosis changed everything – and nothing!
Emma tackles the stigma surrounding the disorder – fuelled by headlines like ‘ADHD does not exist’, labels like ‘Ritalin kids’ and myths like ‘bad parenting to blame for ADHD’ – head on. She exposes the damage this causes and shares a key message: ADHD is not lesser. It’s just a difference.
Why The Book Matters
Did you know hundreds of thousands of adults have undiagnosed ADHD – it is estimated the figure could be up to 1.5 million with just 120,000 diagnosed!
Did you know it is often missed in girls? The disorder presents differently in girls than boys which means they are less likely to be diagnosed.
This is stigma breaking, myth busting and honest.
My Review
This book was a fascinating read. I have often wondered about ADHD – having had friends and friend’s children diagnosed with it but not knowing too much about it. It talks about how to spot the traits, the denial parents can go through – the author even went through denial herself when a teacher suggested her son could have it – and also talks about how to find the right treatment or how to choose the best career path for them.
The author is honest and talks about how different relationships were affected before her diagnosis due to things she now recognises as traits of ADHD. Being carefree, often late, sometimes lacking in focus – the author found drama following her and could never be too sure why – until she received that life changing diagnosis at the age of 52.
The book was very educational without the reader feeling like they were being talked down to. Emma Mahony talks about ADHD in a factual but chatty way, adding anecdotes about her life and other family members lives who have since been diagnosed with ADHD or recognised certain traits within themselves. The book was moving at times as the author talked about the struggles her child faced at school – something a particular headteacher did had me infuriated on her behalf – and also the isolation she felt from other school parents when they moved from London to the country.
Overall, this is a poignant and interesting read and was very helpful in allowing me to find out more about ADHD itself. Whether you have an ADHD diagnosis, think you might have it or are simply interested in the book, I’d definitely suggest giving it a read.
About The Author
Emma Mahony is the author of two other books – Double Trouble (Twins and How to Survive Them) and Stand and Deliver (And Other Brilliant Ways to Give Birth). Before her diagnosis with ADHD, Emma worked as a journalist for The Times and also freelanced for other big national newspapers. Since her diagnosis, she has requalified as a secondary teacher of Spanish and French. She is married with three children and lives between Sussex and London.
Check out her website here.
Interested in buying a copy of Better Late Than Never? The book is available from all good bookstores and online, including on Amazon {affiliate link}.
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Better Late Than Never sounds like a good book to read especially if you want to learn more about ADHD. Adding this to my October reading list.
Sounds like a great book. People seem to forget you an be diagnosed with things at any point in your life, so this is fab.
I had no idea that so many people were undiagnosed with ADHD, this sounds like a really interesting book giving the ins and outs of it x
Better Late Than Never sounds like a very interesting and informative book. ADHD sadly continues to be misdiagnosed or undiagnosed.
This sounds such an interesting book . I can tell
It would help out a lot
Of people that need it
Sounds interesting and informative. I may aim to acquire and read this book. As I did like to try and be aware, informed, knowledgeable, and up to date :- If / when possible. As we live in society, and I think it is best to be aware and informed, so that hopefully we interact appropriately, and can be part of a cohesive committee, etc.