Attention Magazine December 2023

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Many cultures observe feasts and celebrate with gift exchanges toward the end of each year, and through the early days of the following year. In a tradition loosely translated as the “book flood,” families in Iceland exchange new books on the night before a major celebration. Then they enjoy quiet reading time together while sipping and sharing seasonal treats.

In that spirit, and with good wishes for a healthy and prosperous 2024, Attention’s editorial advisory board and CHADD staff offer you a selection of their favorite books on ADHD. And it is quite a flood of books. There are classics in the field, new titles, revised editions, and a few available to preorder. We’ve added a few items from our own gifting lists to share with you some non-book possibilities as well.

We hope our ADHD book flood list, while neither comprehensive nor exhaustive, offers you inspiration for gifting one or more of these invaluable resources to your children, teens, adults, educators, or members of your extended family.

BOOKS

Books for Adults, Parents, and Teachers

Teenagers with ADD, ADHD & Executive Function Deficits: A Guide for Parents and Professionals, Third Edition | Chris A. Zeigler Dendy (Woodbine House, 2017)
This book has been described by many users (including myself) as a life-changing resource for parents of children with ADHD. It is as if Chris Dendy has peered into the heart of the home of families of children with ADHD and provided a lifeline through her comprehensive explanations about the source and common manifestations of the challenges specifically for teenagers and older children with ADHD and strategies for accommodations and management. Each chapter provides both insight and practical advice for successfully helping your teen on a different executive function or core ADHD feature challenge with strategies applicable in both home and school. Realistically designed for the needs of teenagers and with a deep understanding of ADHD in teens, it is an empowering resource for communication, advocacy, and action.

Launching into Young Adulthood with ADHD… Ready or Not! | Chris A. Zeigler Dendy and Ruth Hughes, PhD (Woodbine House, 2021)
This book offers guidance for parents on how to help young adults with ADHD develop independence while also providing the support they need to move out into the world on their own. There is valuable information here that offers direction to parents who often feel adrift and isolated as they try to help their children navigate this transition. Reading the book is like sitting with a knowledgeable friend, talking over a cup of coffee, and finally feeling helped and understood.

The Anti-Planner: How to Get Sh*t Done When You Don’t Feel Like It | Dani Donovan
Great for the frustrated person with adult ADHD who struggles with organization. To order a copy, go to: https://anti-planner.com/shop/the-anti-planner-how-to-get-sht-done-when-you-dont-feel-like-it.

ADHD—Living without Brakes | by Martin L. Kutscher (Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2009)
This book is a quick, easy, comprehensive read—at the same time its depth in explaining and describing the lived experience for children with ADHD and their families is unmatched. I frequently recommend this book as a resource for grandparents and other extended family members, when parents want them to have a clear understanding and grasp of what ADHD is and what it is not. This book fosters a knowledge base whereby when one knows better—they do better. It assists family members to get and be on the same page in understanding a child’s ADHD with accurate information about the features of ADHD and the lived experience on a day-to-day basis.

More Attention, Less Deficit: Success Strategies for Adults with ADHD | Ari Tuckman, PsyD, CST, MBA (Specialty Press, 2009)
This rich resource for adults provides a comprehensive and practical approach to understanding and applying simple strategies for home, work and relationship challenges when you have ADHD. Dr. Ari Tuckman provides a clear picture of the common executive function deficits experienced by adults with ADHD and the frustration, hits to self-esteem and obstacle to achievement of life goals they can present. Moreover, he provides a menu of strategies that folks can individualize to their situation and personal style in a readable, easy-to-follow and practical way. This book is quite validating in that one can understand that their challenges in navigating “adulting” are not signs of character faults, laziness, or lack of intelligence but rather a manifestation of living with an unpredictable brain. The hope and help this book provides through easily applicable recommended accommodations and strategies will instill self-efficacy and self-advocacy in adults with ADHD and their significant others.

Late, Lost, and Unprepared: A Parents’ Guide to Helping Children with Executive Functioning | Joyce Cooper-Kahn, PhD, and Laurie Dietzel, PhD (Woodbine House, 2008; second edition, Routledge, April 2024)
Pre-order the second edition now or be sure to keep this one high on your list as a gift for yourself or someone else. This book is a treasure trove of insight and day-to-day applicable strategies for a central feature of challenges of ADHD in kids—executive function deficits (EFD). It clearly delineates the source and reasons for a range of EFD challenges, including organization and time management. While helping parents, teachers, and therapists understand the nature of executive function challenges in ADHD, its richness rests in the detailed, real-life and helpful strategies that can be implemented to assist the child and the family to thrive. Beautifully organized, easy to read and follow, and practical, this book is an essential resource for families and educators.

Taking Charge of ADHD: The Complete Authoritative Guide for Parents, Fourth Edition | Russell A. Barkley, PhD (Guilford Press, 2020)
Good general guide.

Time management & organizational skills for students (and their parents too…): An organized student means less stress, more free time, and better grades!!! | Amy Morris (CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2011)
Good tools.

Assistive Technology in Special Education: Resources to Support Literacy, Communication, and Learning Differences, Third Edition | Joan Green, MA, CCC-SLP (Routledge, 2018)
Great resource on apps and tech tools.

Parent Child Excursions: ADHD, Anxiety, and Autism | Dan Shapiro, MD (Dagmar Miura, 2019)
Good resource on understanding ADHD and medication.

The Self-Driven Child: The Science and Sense of Giving Your Kids More Control Over Their Lives | William Stixrud, PhD, and Ned Johnson (Penguin Life, reprint edition 2019)
Great book on parenting.

Smart but Stuck: Emotions in Teens and Adults with ADHD | Thomas E. Brown, PhD (Jossey-Bass, 2014)
Good explanations of emotions and ADHD.

Driven to Distraction (Revised): Recognizing and Coping with Attention Deficit Disorder | Edward M. Hallowell, MD, and John J. Ratey MD (Anchor, 2011).

ADHD 2.0: New Science and Essential Strategies for Thriving with Distraction—from Childhood through Adulthood | Edward M. Hallowell, MD, and John Ratey, MD (Random House, 2022).

Still Distracted After All These Years: Help and Support for Older Adults with ADHD | Kathleen G. Nadeau, PhD (Hachette, 2022).

Understanding Girls with ADHD: How They Feel and Why They Do What They Do, Second Edition | Kathleen Nadeau, Ellen Littman, et al. (Advantage Books, 2015).

Books for Children & Teens

My Brain Needs Glasses: ADHD Explained to Kids, Fourth Edition | Annick Vincent (Juniper Publishing, 2022).
This Canadian bestseller is now in its fourth edition. Tom’s imaginary journal will help young people, parents, and education and psychology professionals better understand the reality of living with ADHD.

Cory Stories: A Kid’s Book About Living with ADHD | Jeanne Kraus (Magination Press, 2005).
This book details the difficulties of being a child with ADHD and how behavioral intervention can be a beneficial treatment.

Lucky Horseshoes: A Tale from the Iris the Dragon Series | Gayle Grass, illustrated by Linda Crockett. (Iris the Dragon Inc., 2007).
Through its images and words, this book illustrates the feelings and thoughts of a child with ADHD.

How to Take the Grrrr Out of Anger (Laugh & Learn) | Elizabeth Verdick and Marjorie Lisovskis (Free Spirit Publishing, Revised & Updated Edition, 2015).
Offers tips and techniques that help children deal with anger. Kids need help learning how to manage their anger. Filled with solid information, sound advice, and humor, this book helps kids understand anger—what it is, what it does, where it comes from, how it feels–and how to handle it in healthy, positive ways.

Learning to Slow Down & Pay Attention: A Book for Kids About ADHD | Kathleen Nadeau, PhD, and Ellen B. Dixon (Magination Press, third edition, 2004).
This guidebook for children with attention problems helps them learn ways to deal with problems such as getting ready for school in the morning, cleaning the room, doing homework, and making friends. It includes a section on projects to do with parents.

A Do-It-Yourselfer’s Guide to Time Management and Organizational Skills for Students of All Ages: A brief guide for children and teens with easy to implement strategies for success | Carey Heller, PsyD (Independent; 2017)
Simple book in bullet-point format for kids and teens to use themselves to make improvements.

Enhancing Executive Functioning and Study Skills Efficiency: An Intentionally Short Guide for the Overwhelmed Student | Carey Heller, PsyD (Independent; 2019)
A brief chapter book and workbook with tools for teens to use themselves.

Calm: Mindfulness for Kids and Calm—Mindfulness Flash Cards for Kids: 40 Activities to Help You Learn to Live in the Moment | Wynne Kinder, MEd (DK Children, 2019)

Mindfulness and Self-Compassion for Teen ADHD: Build Executive Functioning Skills, Increase Motivation, and Improve Self-Confidence | Mark Bertin, MD, and Karen Bluth, PhD (Instant Help, 2021)

The Gaming Overload Workbook: A Teen’s Guide to Balancing Screen Time, Video Games, and Real Life | Randy I. Kulman, PhD (Instant Help, 2020)

Winning with ADHD: A Playbook for Teens and Young Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder | Grace Friedman and Sarah Cheyette, MD (Instant Help, 2019)

A Bird’s Eye View Of Life with ADHD and EFD… Ten Years Later | Chris A. Zeigler Dendy and Alex Zeigler (Chris A Zeigler Dendy Consulting, LLC; third edition, 2015)

FAVORITE GIFT ITEMS OTHER THAN BOOKS

• Visual timer (such as the Time Timer MOD^® – Home Edition, a favorite of many EAB members)
• Desk bike or elliptical
• Smartwatch
• Wobble chair, cushion, yoga ball chair or other sensory seat
• Balance board; different types including whirly board
• A Whoop wearable, or a similar activity and sleep tracker
• Puzzles
• Another favorite: gift a print or digital subscription to Attention magazine to your child’s teachers or members of your extended family!
• And a great alternative: the gift of a CHADD membership!