ADHD Book List

Here are some of our recommendations of useful books about ADHD:

1) The kids guide to staying awesome and in control by Lauren Brukner

Packed with simple ideas to regulate the emotions and senses, this book will help children tackle difficult feelings head-on and feel awesome and in control! From breathing exercises, pressure holds and finger pulls, to fidgets, noise-reducing headphones and gum, the book is brimming with fun stuff to help kids feel cool, calm and collected. They will learn how to label difficult feelings, choose the perfect strategies and tools to tackle them, and use these correctly whether at home or at school. The strategies and tools are accompanied by cartoon-style illustrations, and the author includes useful tips for parents as well as handy visual charts and checklists to track learning and progress. Armed with this book, kids will be well on their way to managing difficult emotions and feeling just right in whatever situation life throws at them! It is suitable for children with emotional and sensory processing difficulties aged approximately 7 to 14 years.

2) Better Late than Never by Emma Mahony

Emma Mahony was diagnosed ADHD at age 52. In this book, she writes about her experience of diagnosis later in life, how it helped her to understand herself better, and how she seeks to thrive beyond her diagnosis. Alongside the story of her ADHD diagnosis journey, this book contains lots of interesting subjects, including how ADHD can present differently between women and men, heritability, medication, and how to get help and help yourself. 

3) All dogs have ADHD by Kathy Hoopmann

All Dogs Have ADHD takes an inspiring and affectionate look at Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), using images and ideas from the canine world to explore a variety of traits that will be instantly recognisable to those who are familiar with ADHD. Following the style of the award-winning All Cats Have Asperger Syndrome, charming colour photographs of dogs bring to life familiar ADHD characteristics such as being restless and excitable, getting easily distracted, and acting on impulse. This delightful book combines humour with understanding to reflect the difficulties and joys of raising a child with ADHD and celebrates what it means to be considered ‘different’. This absorbing and enjoyable book takes a refreshing approach to understanding ADHD.

4) Taking charge of ADHD by Russell Barkley

A treasured parent resource since its publication, Taking Charge of ADHD has now been revised and updated to incorporate the most current information on ADHD. From internationally renowned ADHD expert Russell A. Barkley, the book empowers parents by arming them with the up-to-date knowledge, expert guidance, and confidence they need to ensure that their child receives the best care possible.

5) My doctor says I have ADHD by C. R. Yemula

This book is written in an interesting and informative story format, for children aged 6 to 12 years, to help them understand more about ADHD. Buzz, a 9-year-old ADHD boy takes us on his life journey, talking about his early experiences, friends and family members and how he eventually manages his ADHD. In addition to providing practical tips about how to manage friendships and improve organisation, the book has lots of fun activities to engage the interests of young readers. Packed with colourful illustrations, facts, fun and humour, the book is an excellent resource not only for ADHD children but also for their siblings and friends

6) ADHD in HD by Jonathan Chesner

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 blunt advice that will resonate with teens and young adults. While most ADHD books are written to parents and educators, this is written to hold the attention of the ADHD teen and young adult reader.

7) Why ADHD doesn’t mean disaster by Dennis Swanberg and Diane Passno

Parents of ADHD kids with may have been taught that the disorder is a serious handicap—that it will make raising their child difficult, and that the child will continually struggle to succeed in school and throughout life. Parents are looking for hope, encouragement, and answers to their questions. Why A.D.H.D. Doesn’t Mean Disaster gives parents of ADHD children just what they need: a strong dose of encouragement from fellow parents who have ADHD children, support for valuing the benefits of having a child with an attention disorder, and just the right amount of practical medical advice needed for understanding.

8) Marching to a different tune by Jacky Fletcher

Written by the mother of Stefan, a boy diagnosed with ADHD, Marching to a Different Tune is a day-by-day, moment-by-moment account of how his behaviour affects their family life inside and outside the home. Jacky Fletcher describes in intimate detail the struggles, embarrassments and triumphs her family experiences throughout a four year period of Stefan’s childhood. The diary ends with an expression of the family’s love for Stefan – as he approaches adolescence, they will learn new ways to cope with the challenges of his behaviour, applying the knowledge they have gained through experience. Marching to a Different Tune gives an essential new perspective to the understanding of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder – it describes this complex set of behaviours from the inside.