ADHD Resources

(skip to the end for the links to resources, and online ADHD community spaces to connect with).

What is ADHD?

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental difference, that means I experience the world slightly differently than many people. Anyone can have ADHD – regardless of age, gender, race, culture, geographical or social/financial status – but how it affects someone will differ depending on their personal circumstances. For me, ADHD is both an amazing blessing AND a constant challenge that I need to manage every day.

Is it a disorder, a disability, or just a different type of brain?

The answer as far as I see it, is that it’s all three at the same time, depending on who you ask and when you ask them. The three aren’t mutually exclusive, and ADHDers use whichever of these is most helpful in the moment:

  • Disorder: The word “disorder” is what the last ‘D’ in ‘ADHD’ stands for. It comes from the fact that, with the right support and acceptance, many of the challenging traits of ADHD are treatable, and that experiencing the world as someone with ADHD might leave you less able to cope with some things.

  • Disability: It’s classed as a disability, as ADHD is a lifelong difference that often means you’ll need adaptations in school, work, and/or (in my case at least) in how you set up your home and self-management.

  • Just a different type of brain: Many leading academics, medical professionals, and ADHDers, see ADHD as one element in a range of types of neurodiversity* that you’re born with – along with things like being Autistic or having dyslexia/dyspraxia/dyscalculia, dysgraphia. It’s an innate difference (just like someone might be left-handed) that comes with many amazing benefits rather than just being a problem – although the challenges will always be there and shouldn’t be minimised. In fact, thinking along these lines, many big businesses like Google are actively seeking to recruit neurodivergent minds for our ideas, problem solving, creativity, fast thinking processes, straightforward and direct communication style, and rapid innovation.

    • Learn about ADHD, from people and professionals who have it

    • HowToADHD – Jess McCabe makes snappy, engaging YouTube videos that explain all the tiny elements that make up ADHD and teach you how to manage them. Her work is backed by researchers, and funded directly by the ADHD community through patreon subscriptions.
    • Dani Donovan creates video content across all social media, but is best known for her incredible infographics that explain ADHD in simple to understand terms.
    • ADHD Alien – Pina creates beautifully illustrated comic strips that explain the ADHD experience – these were fundamental in learning to understand myself as someone with ADHD
    • Black Girl Lost Keys – Rene has written ebooks and guides to help you manage your ADHD, and blogs about her experience as an ADHDer. Her “guard your yes” mantra is something I’m working really hard to follow.
    • My Glittery Brain – Liz Cordeiro has a gorgeous blog about all aspects of ADHD which I’m constantly relating to, and she’s a bloody lovely person too!

    ADHD on social media

    • On Twitter – search the hashtags #AskADHD #TeamADHD #DREADpirates #ADHDProblems and #NeurodiverseSquad.
    • On TikTok, just search ADHD for a wealth of content and creators. I recommend @catieosaurus, @adhdadult, @connordewolfe, and @lesleypsyD as an excellent starting point as all back up their videos with sources, research, and references.
    • Theres a thriving community on Instagram too, and on Facebook. On Instagram @TeachingWithADifference is brilliant, as is @NDNarratives, and @BlkGirlLostKeys. On Facebook, ADHD Adult has created a wonderful page and community in their facebook group.

    Join the ADHD community with The ADHD Hub

    The ADHD Hub has a special place in my heart – without them, I wouldn’t be alive. Marie and Ross have created a global community site built, run, and expanded constantly by ADHDers, for ADHDers. I often volunteer as one of their network of neurodiverse people all over the world who contrubute to the ADHD community, and I also deliver some paid work with them too through giving talks and creating content. You’ll find them at adhd-hub.com

    They have:

    • A Friday night zoom party for people with ADHD to just hang out with each other. It’s not a support group – it’s a relaxed natter where awkward silences don’t exist, you definitely don’t have to sit still, or pay attention, and being excited about the world is encouraged, not shamed.
    • Daily FREE coworking groups hosted by volunteers in multiple timezones, following the pomodoro technique. PhD students, business owners, homeworkers – and quite often me, doing my housework in 30 minute bursts.
    • An irregular but lovely zoom meetup for artists, makers, and crafters with ADHD, which I host 🙂
    • A chilled Zoom party for children aged 12-15 with ADHD, led by one of the Hub founders who is SEN trained and an ADHDer himself, to help young teens connect with others and realise they’re not alone.
    • A podcast, that redefines what success looks like by interviewing successful ADHDers in all different kinds of careers and walks of life.
    • A blog, written by the community.
    • A guide and resources for schools and teachers to help make classrooms more ADHD friendly.
    • Recommendations for apps, coaches, therapists, and tools.