Resources for ADHD Learning

Life with ADHD is a bit of a clueless journey but ADHD parenting with young kids? Hooo boy.

The good news is that my interest in how learning works sharpened in focus as I became a father. Parenting is a daunting challenge and this is one dopamine rush that might just come in handy.

Recently, someone asked for recommended resources for ADHD parenting. Here’s what I sent in response.

Dr. Ned Hallowell

The godfather of information on ADHD. He's a well-respected psychiatrist and expert who wrote the book on ADHD, Driven to Distraction, two decades ago. It takes a more holistic view of ADHD than previously understood– how it affects every aspect of our lives– and dispels common myths that often contribute to negative ADHD stereotypes. https://www.amazon.com/Driven-Distraction-Revised-Recognizing-Attention/dp/0307743152

His latest book is ADHD 2.0. It emphasizes a strength-based approach to diagnosis and treatment. There are all sorts of upsides for people with ADHD – creativity, entrepreneurship, flexibility, compassion/empathy– that were never really conveyed to me. Intervention is too often focused on how to “fix” the negatives. The book also has strategies that reflect the latest research findings on rejection sensitivity dysphoria, and the cognitive sciences.

Parenting

The parenting book that we have most recently been reading is "Mindful Parenting for ADHD: A Guide to Cultivating Calm, Reducing Stress, and Helping Children Thrive" It is very much a parenting guide – pretty dry but informative and action-oriented. https://www.amazon.com/Mindful-Parenting-ADHD-Cultivating-Reducing/dp/1626251797

Podcast

Podcast episode on supporting ADHD learners: It is through the lens of a college student with ADHD. Highly recommend this. https://teachinginhighered.com/podcast/supporting-adhd-learners/

ADDitude

In general, the online magazine publication ADDitude has a ton of resources. there are a trove of articles across a lot of different categories (teen parenting, partner/spouse support, etc.)