For parents
For parents of kids with ADHD
You don't have to figure this out alone. Here are calm, practical tools and guides, sorted by what's hard right now.
Many parents notice their own ADHD after their child's diagnosis. If that's you, the adult directory is here for you too.
What's hard right now?
Meltdowns and big emotions
Big feelings come fast for many kids with ADHD. These resources focus on staying connected and calm.
See toolsHomework and routines
Routines take thinking out of the day. Visual steps and timers help kids do more on their own.
See toolsTime and transitions
Stopping one thing to start another is hard. Making time visible helps.
See toolsExecutive function skills
Planning, starting, remembering and organizing are skills that can be practised, a little at a time.
See toolsSchool accommodations
Accommodations change how your child learns or shows what they know, not what they are expected to learn.
See toolsTalking to teachers
Teachers are your partners. A short, friendly update about your child goes a long way.
See toolsNoise, fidgeting and sensory needs
Some kids need to move or block noise to focus. Quiet tools can help in class and at home.
See toolsScreen time
Screens are hard to put down for many kids. Clear limits and warnings make stopping easier.
See toolsYour own ADHD as a parent
Many parents learn about their own ADHD after their child is diagnosed. Support for you helps the whole family.
See toolsAll parent resources
46 tools
Getting It Done With ADHD (book)
Books2nd edition, 2022
Feeling Loved with ADHD (book)
BooksBook
Tiimo
AppsVisual planner app
Time Timer
TimersVisual timer (physical)
How to Keep House While Drowning (KC Davis book)
BooksKC Davis's short book on treating household chores as care tasks rather than moral failings
Brili Routines
For parentsVisual timed routine app that guides kids through morning/bedtime steps
Joon
For parentsGame-style chore and routine app where kids care for a virtual pet by finishing tasks; parent app sets tasks
Choiceworks
For parentsPicture-based schedule waiting and feelings boards for younger kids
Taking Charge of ADHD (Russell Barkley)
For parentsLong-running parent handbook by a leading ADHD researcher (4th ed.)
Smart but Scattered (Dawson & Guare)
For parentsParent guide to building kids' executive skills with age-based activities (2nd ed., with Colin Guare)
What Your ADHD Child Wishes You Knew (Sharon Saline)
For parentsBook
Peaceful Parent Happy Kids (Laura Markham)
For parentsGeneral emotion-coaching parenting book and site (not ADHD-specific)
Good Inside (Becky Kennedy)
For parentsMembership app and workshops on emotion-focused parenting; has content on deeply feeling kids
CHADD Parent to Parent
For parentsStructured online course for parents and caregivers from the US national ADHD nonprofit
Triple P Positive Parenting Program
For parentsEvidence-based parenting courses online and in groups; some provinces/regions fund free access
CADDAC – ADHD in School
For parentsCanadian ADHD nonprofit's school section with provincial education advocacy info
CADDRA
For parentsNonprofit resource
BC Inclusive Education policy
For parentsBC Ministry policy page on inclusive education and IEPs
Ontario Special Education
For parentsOntario overview of IEPs IPRC process and parent rights
Ontario Special Education Policy & Resource Guide
For parentsFull K-12 policy guide (detailed reference)
Alberta Inclusive Education
For parentsAlberta overview of inclusive education and supports
LD@school
For parentsFree educator resources from LDAO; useful to share with teachers
LDAO
For parentsLearning Disabilities Association of Ontario; IEP advocacy info
LDAC-ACTA
For parentsNational LD association with links to provincial chapters
LD OnLine
For parentsUS site with articles on LD and ADHD for parents and educators
Understood.org
For parentsLarge free library incl. IEP explainers and parent ADHD content; US law framing
Child Mind Institute – ADHD
For parentsParent and teacher articles on ADHD at different ages and in the classroom
Kelty Mental Health – ADHD
For parentsBC Children's Hospital family resource centre ADHD page
Kids Help Phone
For parentsFree 24/7 counselling for young people by phone and text
ADDitude – Parenting ADHD Kids
For parentsLarge article library plus free downloads and webinars
ADDitude ADHD Experts Podcast
For parentsWebinar-style episodes with clinicians; many parenting topics
Tilt Parenting podcast
For parentsLong-running podcast and community for parents of neurodivergent kids
Bouncyband
For parentsChair/desk foot bands and wobble seating for kids who need to move while seated
Banz kids earmuffs
For parentsKids' hearing protection earmuffs
Alpine Muffy Kids
For parentsKids' noise-reducing earmuffs (link brand home; product URL 404s)
Fidgetland
For parentsQuiet classroom fidget tools
LIFE Seminars (Allison Rees)
For parentsGeneral parenting courses and counselling for handling challenging behaviour at home; not ADHD-specific
Scattered Minds (Gabor Maté)
BooksBook
Driven to Distraction (Hallowell & Ratey, revised edition)
BooksA classic, story-led introduction to adult ADHD, updated in the revised edition.
ADD-Friendly Ways to Organize Your Life (Kolberg & Nadeau, 2nd edition)
BooksBook
Wherever You Go, There You Are (Jon Kabat-Zinn)
BooksNot ADHD-specific. A gentle mindfulness book in very short chapters you can read one at a time.
The Gap and the Gain (Sullivan & Hardy)
BooksA mindset book about measuring progress from where you started, not from where you think you should be.
Boundary Boss (Terri Cole)
BooksScripts and steps for saying what you need and stopping people-pleasing.
Loving Someone with Attention Deficit Disorder (Susan Tschudi)
BooksBook
Loving Bravely (Alexandra Solomon)
BooksTwenty short lessons on understanding your own patterns in relationships.
Why Won't You Apologize? (Harriet Lerner)
BooksOn apologising well, and on what to do when someone won't. Short and readable.
This site shares information. It does not diagnose ADHD or give medical advice. Talk with your child's doctor about care and treatment.