Total Focus Program Review

By Dr. Emily Kensington

The Total Focus Program is advertised as an effective, easy-to-use approach that teaches parents how to motivate and manage children suffering from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

As a doctor who specialises in treating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and as the mother of a son with ADHD, this program caught the attention of me and my fellow ADHD parents.

I know from first-hand experience that children with ADHD can present various challenges including out-of-control behavior, educational challenges, poor social relationships, and more.

As a result, I tried The Total Focus Program with my son, and some of the families that I treat did the same. We used the program for durations ranging from a few weeks to a few months. So does the Total Focus Program work? Let's take a closer look.

How The Total Focus Program Works

First things first, what do you get for your money? Basically a ton of parenting resources including age appropriate lessons for children of all ages, a 138-page workbook, school success charts, behavioral plans, mood measuring cards, and other supports such as a phone hotline for parents who require more immediate assistance.

The first lesson is an introductory session provided by Dr. Robert Myers that teaches parents about ADHD and allows them to step into the shoes of their child suffering with ADHD.

It teaches parents how children with ADHD see the world, how to best communicate with them effectively, the pros and cons of medication, how to get a proper diagnosis and school supports.

The 138-page workbook contains instructions that help your child focus, relax, complete school work, take responsibility, improve memory, improve social skills, and control impulsive outbursts. In addition, teachers can use the handy school success charts and daily student rating cards to track a child's progress and help them improve school performance.

Other lesson topics include: Let's Get Focused, 3 Secrets for School Success, Problem Solving Made Easy, Secrets of Making Friends, I CAN at Home, Learning to Slow Down and Think, and Improving Attention and Concentration.

Also included are handy tear-out reminder sheets and motivational tools in the workbook for your child. In a nutshell, it is everything you need to know about ADHD and the behavioral challenges associated with it - all laid out in an easy to follow, concrete fashion.

Pros

What I found most helpful were the effective techniques for managing ADHD behaviors and calming a hyperactive child. For parents who have been frustrated and overwhelmed when their child is bouncing off of the walls, they are priceless.

Also, learning about what the world looks like from the perspective of a child with ADHD not only gave me tremendous insight into the condition, but also tremendous empathy as a I learned about the challenges my son was facing.

Another enormous benefit is the phone support hotline which is a huge benefit for parents in need of immediate support.

Cons

There are no magic bullets or quick fixes when it comes to ADHD. This program is a tool, and like any tool it must be used properly in order to be most effective. Patience and consistency are required.

Parents must remember that change occurs gradually, not overnight.

My Results

My son's grades and behavior improved. Getting him to complete homework assignments was less of a struggle, I had no more phone calls from teachers, and most importantly my son simply became more relaxed.

For my fellow ADHD parents, at an informal six-month and one year clinical follow-up they reported to me that these techniques improved their childrens' ability to concentrate, stay on-task, and control impulsive behavior. In short, their experience was as positive as mine.

The Cost

Compared to costly ongoing therapy, the cost of The Total Focus Program is only 3 monthly payments of $49. A good child behavioral therapist or developmental neurologist can cost between $80-$200 per session (sometimes more for certain specialties).

Because this program costs roughly the price of a couple of sessions, it quickly pays for itself. More importantly, it includes a veritable volume of behavioral methods and techniques that can only be learned after months of ongoing sessions.

No problem, you say, because you have health insurance? Well, those insurance co-payments of $25-$45 per visit quickly add up. As a result, I recommend this program all the time to parents who cannot afford expensive therapy sessions.

More importantly, the Free 30-Day Trial makes it a no-brainer for struggling parents, in my opinion.

Consider The Costs Of Not Acting

So is this program right for your family? For my clients I recommend using the following common sense approach to help guide their decision-making process: What is the cost of not acting versus taking corrective action?

Imagine life if you take no action. It likely includes continued calls from school counselors, continued behavioral problems, and poor grades. Now imagine life after taking corrective action: improved report cards, fewer outbursts, more peace and quiet, and more enjoyable time spent with your child. Which would you prefer?

Conclusion

In honor of the effectiveness and usability of the this program, it was recently awarded the Parent Tested Parent Approved Award which is bestowed on exceptional products that improve the quality of family life.

I have used it successfully with my own son, and as a therapist and fellow ADHD parent it's a pleasure to witness other parents finally being able to enjoy a rewarding relationship with their children which was impossible prior to using The Total Focus Program.