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My Top 10 Book Recommendations on ADHD

If you have a love of learning as I do, this selection of books can really help with your understanding of your own brain wiring or of that of someone you love. Happy reading!

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  1. Taking Charge of ADHD — Russell Barkley
    The gold standard for understanding ADHD. Evidence-based, practical, and foundational.

  2. ADHD 2.0 — Edward Hallowell & John Ratey
    Hopeful, strengths-based, and accessible. A wonderful introduction to modern ADHD thinking.

  3. Your Brain's Not Broken — Tamara Rosier
    One of the best books for understanding executive functioning challenges and translating them into practical strategies.

  4. Mind, Brain, and Education Science — Tracey Tokuhama-Espinosa                                                         This book completely changed how I think about learning, teaching, and the brain.

  5. Smart but Scattered — Peg Dawson & Richard Guare
    The practical guide to executive functioning that every parent, educator, and ADHD family should own.

  6. A New Understanding of ADHD in Children and Adults — Thomas Brown
    Brown's executive functioning model helps explain why ADHD is about so much more than attention.

  7. Spark — John Ratey
     The definitive book on exercise, brain health, learning, attention, and mental well-being.

  8. How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk — Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish
     Not an ADHD book, but one of the most valuable parenting and communication books ever written.

  9. Hardwiring Happiness — Rick Hanson
     A powerful introduction to neuroplasticity, negativity bias, and how positive experiences can reshape the brain.

  10. The Explosive Child — Ross Greene
    Completely changes how you view challenging behavior. A must-read for parents, educators, and anyone supporting neurodivergent children.

 

⭐ Bonus Recommendation

 

  1. Self-Compassion — Kristin Neff
    ADHD often comes with years of shame, self-criticism, and feeling "not enough." This book is transformative and one I wish everyone would read.

 

ADHD Books for Children

Understanding ADHD

 

  • ADHD Is My Superpower- Samantha Bernstein 

  • Different Thinkers ADHD- PhD Katia Fredriksen

  • Ben's Busy Brain- Erin Schoenfelder Gonzalez

  • A Dragon with ADHD- Steve Herman

  • It's Hard to Be a Verb! — Julia Cook 

  • Wandering Dreaming Mind - Merriam Sarcia Saunders

  • What Were You Thinking? — Bryan Smith 

  • You Are Enough- Margaret O'Hair

  • We're One- Jackie Azua Kramer

 

Skill Building & Workbooks

 

  • Thriving with ADHD Workbook for Kids- Kelli Miller

 

ADHD Books for Parents

Understanding ADHD

 

  • Taking Charge of ADHD — Russell Barkley 

  • ADHD 2.0 — Edward Hallowell & John Ratey 

  • Driven to Distraction — Edward Hallowell & John Ratey 

  • Your Brain's Not Broken — Tamara Rosier 

  • Extra Focus — Jesse J. Anderson 

  • Shine: Understanding ADHD So You Can Be a Star — Dr. Brandi Bolling 

 

Executive Functioning

 

  • Smart but Scattered — Peg Dawson & Richard Guare 

  • A New Understanding of ADHD in Children and Adults — Thomas Brown 

  • Executive Functions — Russell Barkley 

 

Parenting & Communication

 

  • How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk — Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish 

  • Hardwiring Happiness — Rick Hanson

  • How NOT to Murder Your ADHD Kid: Instead learn how to be your child's own ADHD coach- Sarah Templeton

 

Strengths & Neurodiversity

 

  • Refuse to Choose! — Barbara Sher 

  • Unstoppable: Real Life Stories of ADHD, Grit, and Success 

  • Don't Believe Everything You Think — Joseph Nguyen

 

 

Neuroscience and Learning

 

  • Mind, Brain, and Education Science- Dr. Tracey Tokuhama-Espinosa

  • Neuromyths- Dr. Tracey Tokuhama-Espinosa

  • Five Pillars of the Mind- Dr. Tracey Tokuhama-Espinosa

  • The Science of Learning and Development- Pamela Cantor and David Osher

  • The Science Transforming How We Learn — Sanjay Sarma 

  • Questions Kids Ask About Their Brains- Dr. Tracey Tokuhama-Espinosa

  • The New Science of Teaching and Learning- Dr. Tracey Tokuhama-Espinosa

 

 

ADHD Coaching & Personal Growth

These books are recommended by ADDCA (ADD Coach Academy) and focus on strengths-based coaching, self-awareness, executive functioning, motivation, self-compassion, and creating a meaningful life with ADHD.

 

ADHD Coaching

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Permission to Proceed: Creating a Life of Passion, Purpose and Possibility for Adults with ADHD — David Giwerc

The Guide to ADHD Coaching — Alan Graham, Ph.D.

Professional Coaching Competencies: The Complete Guide — Goldvarg, Mathews, & Perel

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Strengths, Mindset & Self-compassion

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The Strengths Switch — Lea Waters, Ph.D.

Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself — Kristin Neff, Ph.D.

The Art of Possibility — Ben Zander

Don't Believe Everything You Think — Joseph Nguyen

Hardwiring Happiness — Rick Hanson, Ph.D.

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ADHD & Executive Functioning

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Taking Charge of ADHD — Russell Barkley, Ph.D.

Executive Functions — Russell Barkley, Ph.D.

Smart but Stuck — Thomas Brown, Ph.D.

A New Understanding of ADHD in Children and Adults — Thomas Brown, Ph.D.

Smart but Scattered...and Stalled — Richard Guare, Colin Guare, & Peg Dawson

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Motivation, Performance & Behavior Change

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Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain — John Ratey, M.D.

The Willpower Instinct: How Self-Control Works — Kelly McGonigal, Ph.D.

Refuse to Choose! — Barbara Sher

   

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