ADHD Resources
Recommended Books for Parents on ADHD

This curated collection of books is designed to support parents and caregivers navigating the complexities of raising a child with ADHD. The selected titles offer evidence-based insights into the nature of ADHD, practical strategies for behavior management, guidance on collaborating with schools, and information on treatment options.

Whether you're seeking to understand the neurological underpinnings of ADHD or looking for day-to-day parenting techniques, these resources provide comprehensive support to help your child thrive.

 
Taking Charge of ADHD: The Complete, Authoritative Guide for Parents

Russell A. Barkley

This comprehensive guide offers parents evidence-based strategies to understand and manage their child's ADHD. Dr. Barkley provides insights into the nature of ADHD, its causes, and effective treatment options. The book includes practical advice on behavior management, working with schools, and navigating the challenges of adolescence. It's an invaluable resource for parents seeking to support their child's development and well-being.

Best ADHD Books For Parents

Understanding Girls with ADHD: How They Feel and Why They Do What They Do
Patricia O. Quinn, Kathleen G. Nadeau, Ellen B. Littman
Focuses on the unique challenges faced by girls with ADHD, offering insights into their emotional and behavioral experiences.​

Straight Talk About Psychiatric Medications for Kids
Timothy E. Wilens, MD
Provides clear information on psychiatric medications for children, addressing common concerns and treatment options.

Quirky Kids: Understanding and Helping Your Child Who Doesn’t Fit In
Perri Klass, MD, Eileen Costello, MD
Addresses the needs of children with developmental differences, offering practical advice for parents navigating social and behavioral challenges.

Teenagers with ADD, ADHD, & Executive Function Deficits
Chris A. Zeigler Dendy, MS
Offers practical advice for parents and professionals on supporting teens with ADHD and executive function challenges.

1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2–12
Thomas W. Phelan, PhD
Longtime favorite for industry experts. Introduces a simple, effective discipline method to manage children's behavior without yelling or arguing.

Surviving Your Adolescents: How to Manage and Let Go of Your 13–18 Year Olds
Thomas W. Phelan, PhD
Offers strategies for parents to navigate the teenage years, focusing on communication and appropriate independence..

The Explosive Child: A New Approach for Understanding and Parenting Easily Frustrated, Chronically Inflexible Children
Ross W. Greene, PhD
Presents a collaborative problem-solving approach to help children who struggle with flexibility and frustration tolerance.

Raising Resilient Children: Fostering Strength, Hope, and Optimism in Your Child
Robert Brooks, PhD, Sam Goldstein, PhD
Provides strategies to help children develop resilience, confidence, and a positive outlook.

Recommended Resources: 
ADHD for Parents

  • Mindful Parenting for ADHD: a Guide to Cultivating Calm, Reducing Stress, and Helping Children Thrive
    (by Mark Bertin)

  • Written by a pediatrician and based in proven-effective mindfulness techniques, this book will help you and your child with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) keep calm, flexible, and in control.

    If you are a parent of a child with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), you probably face many unique daily challenges. Kids with ADHD are often inattentive, hyperactive, and impulsive, since ADHD affects all of self-management and self-regulation. As a result, you might become chronically frustrated or stressed out, which makes caring for ADHD that much harder. In this book, a developmental pediatrician presents a proven-effective program for helping both you and your child with ADHD stay cool and collected while remaining flexible, resilient, and mindful.

    Bertin addresses the various symptoms of ADHD using non-technical language and a user-friendly format. In addition, he offers guidelines to help you assess your child's strengths and weaknesses, create plans for building skills and managing specific challenges, lower stress levels for both yourself and your child, communicate effectively, and cultivate balance and harmony at home and at school.

    If you are a parent, caregiver, or mental health professional, this book provides a valuable guide.

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  • What Your ADHD Child Wishes You Knew: Working Together to Empower Kids for Success in School and Life (by Dr. Sharon Saline; Foreword by: Dr. Laura Markham)

  • A veteran psychologist presents a proven roadmap to help ADHD kids succeed in school and life

    You’ve read all the expert advice, but despite countless efforts to help your child cope better and stay on track, you’re still struggling with everyday issues like homework, chores, getting to soccer practice on time, and simply getting along without pushback and power struggles.

    What if you could work with your child, motivating and engaging them in the process, to create positive change once and for all? In this insightful and practical book, veteran psychologist Sharon Saline shares the words and inner struggles of children and teens living with ADHD—and a blueprint for achieving lasting success by working together. Based on more than 25 years of experience counseling young people and their families, Dr. Saline’s advice and real-world examples reveal how parents can shift the dynamic and truly help kids succeed. Topics include:

    * Setting mutual goals that foster cooperation
    * Easing academic struggles
    * Tackling everyday challenges, from  tantrums and backtalk to staying organized, building friendships, and more.

    With useful exercises and easy-to-remember techniques, you’ll discover a variety of practical strategies that really work, creating positive change that will last a lifetime.

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Recommended Resources:
ADHD for Teens

Winning with ADHD: A Playbook for Teens and Young Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (2019)

by Grace Friedman, Sarah Cheyette, Stephen P. Hinshaw

Mindfulness and Self-Compassion for Teen ADHD: Build Executive Functioning Skills, Increase Motivation, and Improve Self-Confidence

by Mark Bertin MD (Author), Karen Bluth PhD (Author), Russell Barkley PhD (Foreword)

Attention Deficit Disorder: The Unfocused Mind in Children and Adults 
Attention Deficit Disorder: The Unfocused Mind in Children and Adults

Thomas E. Brown, PhD

This insightful book challenges common misconceptions about ADHD, particularly the notion that it's merely a matter of willpower. Dr. Brown explores how inherited brain function differences affect attention, motivation, and executive functioning across all ages. Utilizing real-life case studies and recent neuroscience research, he provides a comprehensive understanding of ADHD's impact on daily life and offers practical treatment strategies. An invaluable resource for parents, educators, and clinicians seeking to support individuals with ADHD.

Resources for General Mental Health Topics

General Resources & Support

  • National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): Describes the largest grassroots educational, peer support, and mental health advocacy organization in the United States. Founded in 1979 by a group of family members of people with mental disorders, NAMI has developed into an association of hundreds of local affiliates, state organizations, and volunteers.— www.nami.org

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Local Resources

  • Colorado Crisis Services provides CONFIDENTIAL and immediate support, information, and counseling referrals for substance abuse. Call 1-844-493-TALK (8255) or text TALK to 38255 or Walk In to 4353 East Colfax Avenue, Denver CO 80220. Se habla español, and interpreter services are available.

  • Young People in Recovery (YPR) provides life skills and peer supports that young people need to thrive and be successful in long-term recovery from addiction to drugs and alcohol. Call (720) 600-4977 or visit https://youngpeopleinrecovery.org/programs/

  • Colorado Access Behavioral Care is a behavioral health organization that manages substance abuse services to Medicaid-eligible individuals in Denver County. Call (800) 511-5010 or visit www.coaccess.com.

  • Mental Health Center of Denver provides comprehensive substance abuse services for residents of Denver County. Medicaid is accepted. Call (303) 504-7900, or visit https://mhcd.org/adult-recoveryservices/. Se habla español; interpreter services available.

More Resources:

Anxiety Disorders and Treatments
General Psychiatric Disorders & Treatment Resources
Eating Disorders

  • The Eating Disorder Foundation: If you are looking for resources, treatment options, or local professionals in Colorado, EDF can offer recommendations and point you in the right direction.  Call EDF at 303.322.3373 or e-mail them at info@eatingdisorderfoundation.org

  • The Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness Helpline (1-866-662-1235)

  • Treatment Center & Practitioner Directory by the National Alliance for Eating Disorder— findedhelp.com

  • Overeaters Anonymous – www.oa.org

Domestic Violence

  • SafeHouse Denver: Serves survivors of domestic violence and their children through an Emergency Shelter, a non-residential Counseling & Advocacy Center and an Extended Stay Program. Call (303) 318-9989, or en español (303) 318-9959.

  • Experiencing abuse? Call SafeHouse’s 24-Hour Crisis & Information Line for support: 303-318-9989.

Homelessness

  • The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless works to prevent homelessness by providing housing, health, employment, and other services to improve the well-being and stability of homeless and at-risk families, children, and individuals throughout Colorado. Call (303) 293-2217, se habla español, or visit https://www.coloradocoalition.org/.

  • Section 8 Housing Information Section 8 in Colorado works through lottery vouchers, with varying dates annually. Theses dates are usually announced in the newspaper under the public notice section. Applicants must be 18 years or older and can enter every year until their number is chosen. If selected, applicants will need to pick up an application and verify eligibility. For more information, visit the Section 8 website at www.denverhousing.org. Se habla español; interpreter services available.

Trauma

  • The Center for Trauma and Resilience offers free crisis services for to those affected by crime and the resulting trauma. Call (303) 894-8000, or en español (303) 718-8289.

Autism Spectrum Disorders & Neurotypical Individuals
Depression Disorders

… stay tuned for more!

Resources for Substance Abuse & Addiction

Support For Families

  • Al-Anon Family Groups (www.al-anon.org): Describes group meetings where friends and family members of people with substance use issues share their experiences and learn how to apply the principles of the Al-Anon program to their individual situations. Sponsorship gives members the chance to get personal support from more experienced individuals in the program.

  • Nar-Anon Family Groups (www.nar-anon.org): Provides group meetings where friends and family of people with drug use problems can share their experiences and learn to apply the 12-Step Nar-Anon program to their lives. Nar-Anon groups also offer more individualized support from experienced individuals in the program who act as sponsors.

Marijuana & Cannabis Abuse
Alcohol Abuse

  • Alcoholics Anonymous – www.alcoholics-anonymous.org

  • NIAAA’s Rethinking Drinking: Provides links to patient and family education, help lines, and other recovery resources.

  • Young People in Recovery (YPR) provides life skills and peer supports that young people need to thrive and be successful in long-term recovery from addiction to drugs and alcohol.

Opioid Abuse