Books on ADHD for parents

The books that keep it real.

When my son was diagnosed with ADHD back in 2008, there were few books on parenting kids with ADHD. I struggled for a long time but found my footing as a parent and the best path forward for my kid eventually. Once I amassed a ton of research and created success and joy for my own family, it was a no-brainer to start sharing what I learned with parents like you… so you don't have to struggle on a steep learning curve like we did. 

Boy Without Instructions: Surviving the Learning Curve of Raising a Child with ADHD

Most books on ADHD don’t dare expose the genuine grit of the moment-by-moment peaks and valleys of this special parenthood — the gut-wrenching, crying on the bathroom floor, feeling like you’re losing your mind truth of the matter that is learning to successfully parent a child with ADHD. Boy Without Instructions changes that.

Williams shares her unfiltered thoughts and emotions during her progression through this learning curve during this harrowing ride. Right before your eyes, this initially grief-stricken momma transforms from obsessed-with-ADHD control-freak and helicopter mom to optimistic and (mostly) confident parent of a child who happens to have ADHD. Boy Without Instructions validates your grief and guilt, yet reveals that it’s truly possible to craft a (mostly) joy-filled life for your child with ADHD, yourself, and your family.

What to Expect When Parenting Children with ADHD: A 9-step plan to master the struggles and triumphs of parenting a child with ADHD

There are guidebooks to set a parent's expectations for pregnancy and caring for a baby, but not one step-by-step guide for the challenge of raising a child with ADHD… until now. The contrast between expectations and genuine capability is stark but invisible with ADHD, creating challenges every moment in all aspects of life. In What to Expect When Parenting Children with ADHD, Williams offers a 9-step plan to tame (much of) the chaos and turn (most of) the struggles into triumphs. She steers you through methodically learning about your child's behaviors, strengths, and weaknesses, and how to use that knowledge to improve life for your child with ADHD and your entire family.

Don't be fooled though — this is not your typical book on ADHD. Williams keeps it real, providing authentic, down in the trenches, trial-by-fire advice from a momma who has lived it, figuring it out one day at a time. Whether your child's diagnosis is new or you've been struggling for years, What to Expect is your instruction manual for effectively parenting your child with ADHD.

The Insider's Guide to ADHD: Adults with ADHD Reveal the Secret to Parenting Kids with ADHD

Who knows better what kids with ADHD need than adults who grew up with similar struggles? In her quest for the ultimate ADHD insights, award-winning author Penny Williams went right to the source, interviewing dozens of adults whose childhood was clouded by ADHD. Williams analyzes the wisdom and valuable perceptions of these adults, including what works and what doesn’t work for kids with ADHD.

The Insider's Guide to ADHD bypasses the reward charts, strict limits, and other standard recommendations to get to the root of the true formula for effective ADHD parenting. Inside, you’ll find twelve positive parenting strategies for ADHD that all lead to one universal truth for creating success in the lives of kids with ADHD and their families.

The Hidden Layers of ADHD: The Underlying Complexities of ADHD, and Their Powerful Effect on Your Parenting Success

There’s so much more to ADHD than the list of symptoms clinicians use to diagnose the condition. Yet, parents are rarely, if ever, clued in on all these additional layers upon diagnosis. In fact, it’s only recently that the additional complexities were undeniably linked to ADHD.

In The Hidden Layers of ADHD, Williams dives deep below the surface to explore the notion that ADHD is like an iceberg. This concept of hidden layers beneath the surface — and the danger of not detecting them, and changing your course because of them — aptly illustrates just how critical the acknowledgement of these underlying complexities is to succeeding at this special parenthood, and creating success for your child.By the end of this book, you’ll be cautious of limiting beliefs, you’ll see the true scope of the impact of ADHD, and you’ll understand your child much more meaningfully. Dive in and emerge with the tools you need to successfully navigate the totality of raising a child with ADHD.

Some Reader Reviews & Testimonials

“Read this well-written, empathetic book right away, feel less alone, and take away not only moral support but also valuable strategies for helping your child, yourself, and your family.”

— Susan Caughman, Editor in Chief of ADDitude Magazine

After my son’s diagnosis of ASD and then later ADHD, I was overwhelmed with all of the information and resources. There were so many books that talked down and threw out statistics that were either depressing or unrelated to my situation. I was looking for something relatable. I had no friends going through the special needs ride and while I wanted information, I also wanted comfort.

I found that comfort and solace in Penny’s first book, Boy Without Instructions. As I turned the pages, I kept saying “Yes. This.” No advice or instruction, just feeling like I wasn’t alone, which I so desperately needed.

Once I got out of the first stage of grief and shock, I was ready for action and help. Lucky for me, that’s right about the time Penny’s second book came out, What to Expect When Parenting Children with ADHD. I was so frazzled by trying to just survive, that I couldn’t even begin to think about how to take proactive steps to improve my family’s quality of life. Full disclosure: I also have ADHD. So, yeah. If I have a hard time with executive function and organization, how am I supposed to help my son learn those skills and get this house running efficiently??

I say all that to say that Penny understands this. She knows what ADHD parents need: quick, to the point, and non-judgmental. Her worksheets are AMAZING. I am the worst with getting advice and not being able to execute it. The worksheets solve that problem. What sets it apart from other ADHD books out there is that it’s written by one of us — a mom of a child with ADHD! Not a doctor or specialist. Those books have their place and use, but Penny fills a void that has been on bookshelves: Advice from a fellow mom. Reading her books feels like sitting down over coffee with a good friend that’s been there, and is guiding you through the process.

Emily T.

Parent of a Boy with ADHD

Penny offers parents, caregivers, and even health care providers a practical guide to navigate the world of ADHD. From diagnosis to the art of balancing expectations, self, and family, she leads you step-by-step through the unpredictable journey of parenting a child with ADHD, all while learning to become your child’s biggest advocate and remaining positive.

Marilyn Griffin, MD

Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Medical Director of the Comprehensive ADHD Clinic at University of Illinois at Chicago

 
 
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