Last month, here in Aotearoa, it became possible for certain GPs to provide a diagnosis of ADHD, which means it’s now slightly easier and more accessible for people to look into a diagnosis right for them. With more education and awareness, I think there may be a lot of adults (like myself) who are coming to know a part of themselves with a bit more compassion and understanding - and we have the perfect books to support you.
Whether you are many years into an ADHD diagnosis, newly processing a new understanding of yourself, simply ADHD curious, or someone who just identifies a little too strongly with some of the common traits for folks with ADHD - we have a list of titles that might be helpful as well as interesting, with a little something to suit everyone on the spectrum.
Where should I start?
Chanelle Moriah’s books on ADHD, Autism, and Dyslexia are all amazing introductions to neurodivergence. This is ADHD is Chanelle’s book about her diagnosis with ADHD, and a great simple resource for learning about your own individual brain with accessible explanations and tools to help people make sense of their experiences. Perfect for those waiting for a diagnosis, or for loved ones who want to know more. Another great book for people just starting off with understanding ADHD is the year i met my brain by Matilda Boseley. This is an essential and empowering guide to ADHD. It’s perfect if you’ve recently been diagnosed or if you want to read about someone who’s been diagnosed as an adult and has had to grapple with what that means for her. Lastly, Dirty Laundry is one of my favourite little books for if you have just started on a journey with ADHD and want to read something that will fundamentally change the way you feel about your brain, but with a page count that is easy to smash out in one weekend without losing your book or getting distracted (just me?).
I’m ready to dive in and learn more
We love a deep dive - How to ADHD by Jessica McCabe is a big book, full to the brim with incredibly interesting insights and advice for life with ADHD. Tip of the ADHD Iceberg by Dr Samantha Hiew is another great book that covers information not just about ADHD but also ASD and AuDHD, so provides a comprehensive guide to neurodivergence and a roadmap for adults trying to understand themselves more. Healthy Happy ADHD is a specific deep dive into food for folks who struggle with the intersection of ADHD and nutrition. This book provides really useful information about why food can feel SO hard with ADHD, and provides a lot of supportive context to how we can feel our best both mentally and physically without shame-filled diets and restrictive rules.
Have you got any ADHD memoirs?
I got you. One of my favourite Kiwi comedians, Bree Tomasel, has written a recent memoir about growing up both queer and with ADHD as well as anxiety. As you’d expect, in Unapologetically Me, Bree brings her sense of humour to reflecting on her journey so far and makes any reader feel a little less ashamed of the things that make them stand out.
A brand new release, Attention Seeker by Darcy Michael, is yet another hilarious memoir. This one is entertaining and empowering, a reminder that ADHD is a superpower and understanding ourselves better makes everything a little easier.
I just need some practical tips and support
One of the things I love about authors with ADHD is that they GET that sometimes we just need someone to tell us when to do our chores and how to organise our life. The executive functioning side of being an adult is HARD and these books are here to make it ever so slightly easier for us.
The ADHD Focus Friend is one of my favourites - a shame-free workbook for organising your life and work with your brain to get the things done that matter most. It’s colourful, full of worksheets and graphic organisers, and just a really helpful resource. Matilda has another amazing book on ADHD as well - the adhd brain buddy - that is a practical toolkit for making life more ADHD-friendly. Full of ADHD friendly to-do lists, journal prompts, and other really handy suggestions - this one is such a compassionate guide to working with, not against, your brain. How to Keep House While Drowning is another fabulous book that is tiny in size but perfect for the simple tools to help with cleaning and organising, especially with neurodivergence making those things harder! Most importantly, it’s a guide to finding the level of ‘good enough’ that helps your home feel like a sanctuary but is also achievable without guilt or shame. Lastly, because folks with ADHD know how helpful practical tips and plans are, How to Thrive with Adult ADHD is another amazing and practical guide to living with neurodivergence. It’s written around a seven pillar plan to create a life where your brain is supported and would be helpful for anyone who really struggles with the constant feeling of not being able to get it all together.
What about our tamariki?
For those awesome parents and kaiako (teachers) out there who are helping to raise kind, curious children who also have ADHD, we have some great resources for you too. ADHD by Jessie Hewitson is a guide for parents and families that puts the confidence and happiness of the children at the centre of understanding ADHD.
My Supercharged ADHD Brain is a gorgeous picture book for kids 3+ that explores both the strengths and the challenges of neurodiverse brains! It’s perfect for helping tamariki grow up with an understanding of themselves and a positive attitude to the incredible way their brain works.
For older readers, A Different Sort of Normal is a middle grade level book about neurodiversity where the author shares her experiences growing up with autism. Although not specifically about ADHD, this one would be amazing for any young kid (or adult) to increase understanding of neurodiversity (for ourselves but also for everyone else!).
These books are not another to-do list to make you feel ashamed you aren’t reading more or doing it all - think of them as a menu full of supportive people who are out there wanting you to be more gentle with your brain and feel confident creating a life where you can thrive, not just survive. Hopefully there’s one here that helps you feel a little less confused, and a lot less alone. Please remember to reach out to your GP and health professionals for support if you need it. And if you have an amazing resource recommendation for those with ADHD and neurodivergence, please let us know!