ADHD Reading List: Organized by Audience and Topic

Foundational Texts & Comprehensive Overviews

• A New Understanding of ADHD in Children and Adults: Executive Function Impairments by Thomas E Brown, Ph.D. (2013)

  • Summary: Presents a new paradigm recognizing ADHD as a developmental disorder of the brain's executive functions. It addresses 35 common myths, explains brain differences, and describes implications for assessment and treatment in understandable language for both the general public and professionals.

  • Related Links:Purchase Link

• Outside the Box: Rethinking ADD in Children and Adults— A Practical Guide by Thomas E. Brown

  • Summary: Builds upon recent research to reevaluate assumptions about ADHD. It describes how ADHD can be recognized at various ages, how it differs from typical brain development, how it impairs function, and how it can be safely and effectively treated in children and adults.

  • Related Links:Purchase Link, 

• Attention Deficit Disorder: The Unfocused Mind in Children and Adults by Thomas E. Brown (2005)

  • Summary: Describes a new way of understanding ADD as an impairment of the brain’s management system, challenging the "willpower" explanation. It addresses the perplexing question of why individuals can focus very well on specific interests but not on challenging tasks. Includes case examples showing how ADD changes across the lifespan.

• Driven to Distraction by Edward M. Hallowell M.D. and John J. Ratey, M.D. (1994, updated 2011)

  • Summary: A very popular overview that covers diagnosis, treatment, and living well with ADHD, considered a definitive resource for understanding the disorder.

  • Related Link: Purchase Link

• Delivered from Distraction by Edward M. Hallowell M.D. and John J. Ratey, M.D. (2005)

  • Summary: A very readable description of how those with ADHD can understand themselves in more adaptive and hopeful ways.

  • Related Link: Purchase Link

• ADHD 2.0 by Edward M. Hallowell, M.D. and John Ratey MD

  • Summary: A revolutionary new approach to ADD/ADHD featuring cutting-edge research and strategies to help readers thrive. It is described as an inspired road map for living with a distractible brain.

  • Related Link: Purchase Link

Adults with ADHD

• Taking Charge of Adult ADHD by Russell A. Barkley, Ph.D. and C. M. Benton (2010)

  • Summary: A comprehensive overview that clearly outlines how to get the best treatment for your symptoms, what to know about medications, and includes specific strategies for improving difficulties in education, work, finances, and relationships.

  • Related Link: Purchase Link

• You Mean I’m Not Lazy, Stupid or Crazy?!: The Classic Self-Help Book for Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder by Kate Kelly and Peggy Ramundo

  • Summary: The first book on ADHD written specifically for adults, dealing with unique adult experiences, offering moral support, and explaining practical how-tos. The new edition includes information on new medications, ADHD and sexuality, and male/female ADD differences.

  • Related Link: Purchase Link

• Adult ADD: A Guide for the Newly Diagnosed by Stephanie Moulton Sarkis, Ph.D.

  • Summary: An easy-to-read "first step" manual covering diagnosis and treatment, plus simple solutions for managing ADHD at work and making lifestyle changes.

• More Attention, Less Deficit: Success Stories for Adults with ADHD by Ari Tuckman (2009)

  • Summary: Sensible descriptions of practical problems of adults with ADHD and strategies to overcome them.

  • Related Link: Purchase Link

• Understand Your Brain, Get More Done. by Ari Tuckman

  • Related Link: Purchase Link

• Scattered Minds by Lenard Adler, M.D.

  • Summary: Moving seamlessly from medical facts to easy-to-follow interventions, this book's brief chapters make it readable and valuable for anyone eager to learn about ADHD’s symptoms, causes, drug therapies, and alternative treatments.

• Adventures in Fast Forward: Life, Love and Work for the ADD Adult by K. G. Nadeau (1996)

  • Summary: A great book for ADD adults with workable coping strategies for living.

• ADD in the Workplace: Choices, Changes and Challenges by K. G. Nadeau (1997)

  • Summary: A user friendly guide for ADD adults covering both general and more specific issues regarding work and careers.

• What Does Everybody Else Know That I Don’t? by Michele Novotni, Ph.D.

  • Summary: A comprehensive social-skills guide for adults with ADHD, containing straightforward exercises and engaging tidbits that teach adults to overcome common problems like inattention and impulsive blurting.

• ADHD is Awesome https://theholdernessfamily.com/adhd-is-awesome/

• Related Link: Purchase Link

Women with ADHD

• Women With Attention Deficit Disorder: Embrace Your Differences and Transform Your Life by Sari Solden, M.S. LMFT (2012)

  • Summary: This groundbreaking work unveils the hidden epidemic of depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem among women with ADHD. Written by a psychotherapist, it discusses treatment, uses real-life case histories, and examines consequences like not meeting societal expectations.

  • Related Link: Purchase Link

• The Queen of Distraction: How Women with ADHD Can Conquer Chaos, Find Focus, and Get It All Done by Terry Matlen

  • Summary: Written by an adult woman with ADHD, this book delves into the practical aspects of living with the disorder, helping women achieve “focus and balance” in home, work, and relationships, with practical tips on meal-planning, parenting, hormones, and more.

  • Related Link: Purchase Link

• Understanding Women with AD/HD by K. G. Nadeau, & P. O. Quinn (Eds.) (2002)

  • Summary: Addresses issues faced by women with ADHD at all stages of life.

  • Related Link: Purchase Link

Organization & Executive Function

• ADD-Friendly Ways to Organize Your Life by Judith Kolberg & Kathleen Nadeau, Ph.D. (2002)

  • Summary: A classic collaboration offering sustainable organization solutions for adults with ADHD, with content on digital distractions, organizing finances, and coping with the 'black hole' of the Internet. Offers practical advice on how to organize time, money and stuff.

  • Related Links: Purchase Link, Purchase Link 2

• Organizing Solutions for People With Attention Deficit Disorder: Tips and Tools to Help You Take Charge of Your Life and Get Organized by Susan Pinsky

  • Summary: Offers concrete, actionable ways to get on track in areas like work, home, and with kids, helping with task completion and pack-rat tendencies. Written in an ADHD-friendly manner with colorful graphics, sidebars, and testimonials.

  • Related Link: Purchase Link

• The Disorganized Mind: Coaching Your ADHD Brain to Take Control of Your Time, Tasks, and Talents by Nancy A. Ratey, Ed.M., M.C.C., S.C.A.C.

  • Summary: Tackles disorganization from a psychological perspective, aiming to help you change brain patterns and habits using strategies from a professional ADHD coach.

  • Related Link: Purchase Link

• The Smart But Scattered Guide to Success by Peg Dawson, EdD and Richard Guare, Ph.D.

  • Summary: Helps you understand how ADHD may be holding you back in the workplace and offers simple strategies for maintaining focus and meeting goals.

Relationships & Family Life

• The ADHD Effect on Marriage: Understand and Rebuild Your Relationship in Six Steps by Melissa Orlov

  • Summary: Examines the fault lines ADHD can cause in a relationship, illustrating problems like “nagging, intimacy problems, sudden anger, and memory issues” through real-life couples and solutions.

  • Related Link: Purchase Link

• Is it You, Me, or Adult A.D.D. by Gina Pera (2008)

  • Summary: A perceptive description of the multiple ways ADHD problems can cause both partners in a relationship to become demoralized or caught up in chronic conflict. Includes multiple examples of useful strategies.

  • Related Link: Purchase Link

• Married to Distraction by Edward M. Hallowell, E. M. & Hallowell, S. G. (2010)

  • Summary: A compassionate and sensible approach to help couples deal constructively with distractions and disruptions to intimacy in their relationships, even if only one partner has ADHD.

• The Couple’s Guide to Thriving with ADHD by Melissa Orlov and Nancie Kohlenberger, LMFT

  • Summary: Provides tried-and-true techniques essential to managing ADHD’s impact on marriages or long-term relationships.

Parents & Caregivers

• Taking Charge of ADHD: Complete, Authoritative Guide for Parents by Russell A. Barkley, Ph.D. (2013)

  • Summary: A complete authoritative guide for parents covering topics such as understanding ADHD, evaluations, behavior management, educational issues, and medications. Not much coverage of ADD without hyperactivity.

  • Related Link: Purchase Link

• 12 Principles for Raising a Child with ADHD by Russel Barkley

• How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Farber & Elaine Mazlish

• Parenting the Strong-Willed Child by Rex Forehand, PhD & Nicholas Long, PhD

• Smart But Scattered (child and teen version) by Peg Dawson, EdD & Richard Guare, PhD

• 1-2-3 Magic by Thomas Phelan, PhD (2010)

  • Summary: Offers easy-to-read strategies and a clearly defined plan for effective discipline for children ages 2-12.

• Raising Boys with ADHD; Raising Girls with ADHD by James Forgan & Mary Anne Rich

• Surviving Your Adolescents: How to Manage and Let Go of Your 13-18 Year Olds by T. W. Phelan (2012)

  • Summary: Practical suggestions about how to improve communication with teenagers, managing risk-taking, and learning to let go.

• The Explosive Child-Revised & Updated by Ross Greene Ph.D. (2010)

  • Summary: An excellent, helpful book for parents of children who are easily frustrated and chronically inflexible, offering insight into understanding and parenting these challenging children.

  • Related Link: Purchase Link

• Quirky Kids: Understanding and Helping Your Child Who Doesn’t Fit In—When to Worry and When Not to Worry by P. Klass & E. Costello (2003)

  • Summary: Sensible, practical advice for parents of children who have difficulties in fitting in due to autistic spectrum disorders, sensory integration dysfunction and more.

• Raising Resilient Children by R. Brooks, S. Goldstein (2001)

  • Summary: Warm and supportive guide for parents to improve communication to develop children’s sense of confidence and self-worth.

• Understanding Girls with AD/HD by P. O. Quinn, K. G. Nadeau, & E. B. Littman (2000)

  • Summary: A helpful book to understand the special issues regarding girls with ADHD.

• Straight Talk About Psychiatric Medications for Kids-Third Edition by T. E. Wilens (2008)

  • Summary: Answers to parents' questions about medications from a leading authority in Psychiatry.

• The Incredible Years Series (Behavior management and child development)

  • Related Link: Purchase Link

• Love and Logic Series of Books

  • Related Link: Purchase Link

Teens & College Students

For Teens with ADHD

• Teenagers With ADD: A Parents’ Guide by C. A. Z. Dendy (1995)

  • Summary: A hands-on guide for parents and professionals about the issues and challenges of daily life faced by teens with ADHD.

• Teaching Teens with ADD and ADHD by C. A. Z. Dendy (2000)

  • Summary: A reference guide for parents and teachers loaded with strategies, interventions, and tips to create a positive learning experience.

• A Bird’s-Eye View of Life with ADD and ADHD: Advice from Young Survivors by C. A. Z. Dendy, & A. Zeigler (2003)

  • Summary: A book for teens, written by teens living with the challenges of ADHD that offers advice and strategies.

• Help4ADD@High School by K. G. Nadeau (1998)

  • Summary: An excellent user friendly guide for teens with ADD.

• AD/HD & Driving by J. M. Snyder (2001)

  • Summary: A guide for parents and teens with ADHD that addresses specific problems and issues of teenage drivers.

For College Students with ADHD

• Learning Outside the Lines by J. Mooney and D. Cole (2000)

  • Summary: Written by two Ivy League students with ADHD and learning disorders, it offers witty and practical advice on strategies to survive and thrive in the learning environment of colleges and universities.

• Succeeding in College with Attention Deficit Disorders by J. S. Bramer (1996)

  • Summary: Vignettes that illustrate frustrations and effective strategies for college students with ADHD.

• Coaching College Students with AD/HD by P. O. Quinn, N.A. Ratey, & T.L. Maitlin. (2000)

  • Summary: A useful resource about difficulties with time and task management experienced by many college students with ADHD, offering suggestions for those who want to assist these students.

Children with ADHD

• all dogs have ADHD by Kathy Hoopmann

  • Related Link: Purchase Link

• Eukee the Jumpy Jumpy Elephant by C. L. Corman, & E. Trevino (1995)

  • Summary: An upbeat positive message of success for young children with ADD, ages 3-8.

• Otto Learns About His Medicine by M. Galvin (1988)

  • Summary: A children’s story about a fidgety car who needs medication to control his hyperactivity, ages 3-8.

• Keeping A Head in School by M. Levine (1990)

  • Summary: A large print collection of stories for young readers about learning abilities and learning disorders, ages 5-8.

• All Kinds of Minds by M. Levine (1993)

  • Summary: A guide for students in upper elementary and middle school about learning abilities and learning disorders, ages 9-13.

• The Don’t-give-up Kid and Learning Differences by J. Gehret (1990)

  • Summary: A positive, uplifting story about learning differences, ages 5-10.

Co-existing Conditions & Related Topics

General Co-Existing Disorders

• ADHD Comorbidities: Handbook for ADHD Complications in Children and Adults by T. E. Brown, Ed. (2009)

  • Summary: A comprehensive, somewhat technical text about ADHD and other commonly co-existing disabilities, such as mood disorders, anxiety disorders, Sleep Problems, OCD, Tourette’s, and Substance Abuse.

Learning Disabilities & Teaching Strategies

• Negotiating the Special Education Maze (Third Ed.) by Anderson, Chitwood, & Hayden (1997)

  • Summary: A guide to understanding the special education system and making it work for individual families.

• Learning Disabilities and ADHD by B. B. Osman (1997)

  • Summary: Practical strategies and useful advice on learning disabilities, clearly organized by topic.

• Overcoming Dyslexia by S. Shaywitz (2003)

  • Summary: A book about children and adults with reading problems.

• The Misunderstood Child (2nd ed.) by L. B. Silver (1992)

  • Summary: A guide for parents that discusses learning disabilities, ADHD, psychological, emotional and social development as well as diagnosis and treatment.

• Brain Literacy for Educators and Psychologists by V. W. Berninger and T. L. Richards (2002)

  • Summary: A very useful textbook linking problems in brain function with practical problems in learning and teaching of reading, writing and math.

• Challenging Kids, Challenged Teachers: Teaching Students with Tourette’s, Bipolar Disorder, Executive Dysfunction, OCD, ADHD and More by L. E. Packer & S. K. Pruitt (2010)

  • Summary: Practical suggestions about strategies for dealing with students with multiple difficulties.

• How to Reach and Teach Children with ADD/ADHD, 2nd Edition by S. F. Rief (2005)

  • Summary: Practical techniques, strategies, and interventions for teachers of children with ADHD.

Asperger’s Syndrome (Autism Spectrum)

• The Complete Guide to Asperger’s Syndrome by T. Attwood (2007)

  • Summary: A very readable book that describes Asperger’s disorder for parents and professionals.

• Freaks, Geeks & Asperger Syndrome by L. Jackson (2002)

  • Summary: Written by a teen with Asperger Syndrome, offering practical first-hand experiences and guidance for adolescents with the syndrome.

• Different Minds: Gifted Children with AD/HD, Asperger’s Syndrome, and other Learning Deficits by D. Lovecky (2004)

  • Summary: Descriptions of the special strengths and difficulties experienced by many children who are extremely bright and talented, but also impaired by ADHD, Asperger’s and related problems.

• Asperger Syndrome and Difficult Moments by B. S. Myles, & J. Southwick (1999)

  • Summary: Practical solutions for tantrums, meltdowns, and rage, geared more toward classroom management.

• Nonverbal Learning Disabilities at Home by P. B. Tanguay (2001)

  • Summary: A valuable, easy-to-use reference filled with strategies and suggestions to help NVLD kids at home.

Bipolar Disorder

• An Unquiet Mind by K. R. Jamison (1995)

  • Summary: A personal memoir of a successful medical school professor who suffers from bipolar disorder. Moving and enlightening.

• Bipolar Disorders by M. Waltz (2000)

  • Summary: A comprehensive look at bipolar disorders in children and adolescents, including description of the disorders, diagnosis, medications, life, and school issues.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

• Over and Over Again by F. Neqiroglu, & J. Yaryura-Tobia (1995)

  • Summary: An informative book about obsessive compulsive disorder that combines the latest scientific knowledge and practical suggestions for self-help.

• The Boy Who Couldn’t Stop Washing by J. L. Rapoport (1989)

  • Summary: A collection of personal stories from people who have obsessive compulsive disorder about their experiences and successes with the disorder.

Substance Abuse Disorders

• Buzzed by C. Kuhn, S. Swartzwelder, & W. Wilson (3rd Edition, 2008)

  • Summary: Straight facts about the most used & abused drugs from alcohol to ecstasy. An informative book for adults and adolescents about substance abuse.

• Over the Influence: The Harm Reduction Guide for Managing Drugs and Alcohol by P. Denning, J. Little, & A. Glickman (2004)

  • Summary: A "harm reduction" approach that works to maintain limited use with less damaging effects for those who do not require total abstinence.

• Codependent No More by M. Beattie (1992)

  • Summary: Useful advice for those who care about someone suffering from addiction, emphasizing the need to avoid excessive efforts to control them.

• The Link Between A.D.D. & Addiction by W. Richandson (1997)

  • Summary: A guide for adults to understand the relationship between ADD and addictions, providing insightful, practical strategies for recovery.

Mindfulness & Emotional Regulation

• Smart but Stuck: Emotions in Teens and Adults with ADHD by Thomas E. Brown

  • Summary: Explains why many with ADHD struggle with recognizing, responding to, and managing their emotions, and what can be done about it, using a series of true stories.

  • Related Links: Read Excerpt, Read Critiques, Purchase Link (US), Purchase Link (UK/EU)

• The Mindfulness Prescription for Adult ADHD: An 8-Step Program for Strengthening Attention, Managing Emotions, and Achieving Your Goals by Lidia Zylowska, M.D.

  • Summary: Outlines an 8-step process for using mindfulness ("attention and awareness training") to overcome distractibility, disorganization, strong emotions, and self-doubt.

  • Related Link: Purchase Link

General & Personal Development

• The Power of Different: The Link Between Disorder and Genius by Gail Saltz, MD

  • Summary: Focuses on neurological difference (including ADHD) as a potential source of great talent, using examples of everyday people who have flourished because of their unique brain differences.

  • Related Link: Purchase Link

• The Four Agreements

• Then Path Made Clear

• Radical Acceptance

• The Surrender Experiment

  • Related Link: Full Audiobook Surrender Experiment

  • Michael Singer: Let Go of Yourself and Surrender to Life https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOTwnTtSzvs

• The boy, the mole, fox and the horse

  • Related Link: The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, and The Horse Audiobook

• The Four Tendencies

• The What if’s

• Healthy Boundaries.

Additional Resources

• The Time Timer: The visual countdown gives adults and kids a good, grounded sense of time passing.