15 Best ADHD Books for Parents to Help Kids Thrive 2024

Let’s dive into the best ADHD books for parents. Maybe your child has ADHD or you suspect it. Perhaps your child is autistic, struggles with anxiety, or has sensory processing challenges. You may be a homeschool mom trying to teach your ADHD kid, but every lesson feels like an uphill battle. If you’re a parent looking for direction to help your ADHD child, I got you. Here are some of the best ADHD books for parents.

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15 Best ADHD Books for Parents

The following list contains 15 of the best ADHD books for parents.

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1. Healing ADD by Dr. Daniel Amen

Healing ADD by Dr. Daniel Amen is a must-read self-help book for parents raising a child with ADHD. Quite frankly, it’s a must-read for anyone who interacts with children or young people. You may wonder why Dr. Amen uses the term ADD or attention deficit disorder in the title.

While the DSM-V currently labels all ADHD under the term attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, Dr. Amen says that there are seven types of ADHD. In Healing ADD, Dr. Amen shares his insight, innovative approach, and research into the ADHD brain. In the end, understanding that ADHD is much more than one set of symptoms makes a HUGE difference in helping your specific child thrive.

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2. Driven to Distraction by Dr. Edward M. Hallowell

Driven to Distraction is a great resource about ADHD in kids. Dr. Hallowell is a renowned expert in ADHD. He’s dedicated his career to supporting ADHD kids of all ages (preschool to high school to adulthood). Driven to Distraction offers personal stories from ADHD kids and their families. (Hint: ADHD is hereditary).

From the publisher. (Emphasis mine.)

(These true stories) dispel common myths, offer helpful coping tools, and give a thorough accounting of all treatment options.

… Most importantly, they focus on the positives that can come with this “disorder”—including high energy, intuitiveness, creativity, and enthusiasm.

Driven to Distraction shares some of the best ways to support your child by focusing on your child’s strengths. Hands down, it’s one of the best ADHD books for parents because it’s filled with practical advice to bring relief.

3. The Boy Who Was Raised as A Dog by Dr. Bruce Perry

While the title may seem out of place, The Boy Who Was Raised as A Dog is an invaluable resource for any parent of adoption, autism or ADHD. I recommend it ALL THE TIME for parents of children with ADHD and other complex backgrounds.

This book has taught me more about the brain, learning, and teaching than I ever learned n graduate school. Without an understanding of how trauma impacts the brain, learning, and behavior, kids with “learning and behavior problems” are doomed. I can’t more highly recommend The Boy Who Was Raised as A Dog.

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4. The End of Mental Illness by Dr. Daniel Amen

The End of Mental Illness is a new book and it’s brilliant. Recently, I sent out a recommendation for this book to my subscribers because it is that good! Here’s my review:

If you’re sick and tired of hearing about all that’s wrong with your kid.

Or if you want to get to the root of the issue, read this book.  

So many of the diagnoses and “issues” that people struggle with are not “mental illness” but brain health issues. 

Once you understand the brain and behavior, there are so many ways to optimize and restore the brain to health. 

5. Anatomy of The Soul by Dr. Curt Thompson

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A friend of mine recommended Anatomy of the Soul to me a few years back. After we adopted our son and after years of absolute chaos, she knew we needed help. The author, Dr. Curt Thompson, is a Christian and a psychiatrist.

In his book, he weaves together his understanding of the brain and behavior from a Christian worldview.
He offers insight into the often-misunderstood child in a Gospel-centered way. Anatomy of the Soul is an excellent read for parents who are struggling with the traditional faith-based lens on behavior.

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6. The Explosive Child by Dr. Ross Greene

One afternoon, I stumbled upon a beaten copy of The Explosive Child hidden on a shelf of my local library. I saw the title and knew I had to read it. That morning had been filled with my son’s explosions. My hubby and I prayed that a change of environment would help.

The Explosive Child is one of the most favored books amongst moms raising kids with ADHD, Autism, and other cognitive differences. Dr. Ross Greene takes the concept of unconditional love to a practical level with different ways to approach the hardest behaviors.

7. The Body Keeps the Score by Dr. Bessel Van der Kolk

After reading The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog, I couldn’t wait to dive deeper into the subject of trauma on the brain. The Body Keeps the Score was next on the reading list. The Body Keeps the Score is about traumatic stress and its impact on the brain, the body, and behavior.
Many parents don’t typically think of trauma as a factor in their child’s learning and behavioral issues. However, it often is.

This is especially true if you have an adopted child or a child from foster care. And even if your child is biologically yours, don’t overlook the impacts of trauma. Think of trauma as any situation that causes intense emotional or physical distress without the ability to process and work through it.

The Messages Kids Receive Matter

Many children with ADHD, autism, or other differences live in a world that tells them that they are inherently defective. To name a few:

• Teachers who label them as troublemakers,
• Bullying,
• Social isolation,
• Derogatory comments from neighbors, relatives, and other members of society,
• Frustrated glares or comments of disappointment from Mom and Dad (guilty as charged)

Chronic exposure to such messaging can have a devastating impact on kids’ mental health and well-being. This is especially true when children are unable to process these situations. In the end, unprocessed “little t” traumas impact brain functioning which impacts learning and behavior. If you’re interested in learning more about trauma, the brain, and behavior on a deeper level, this is an excellent (but certainly not easy) read.

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8. Taking Charge of ADHD by Dr. Russell Barkley

Years ago, I listened to one of Dr. Russell Barkley’s lectures on ADHD. I was impressed with his passion and advocacy for kids with ADHD. From the publisher,

This treasured parent resource gives you the science-based information you need about attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and its treatment.

Also included is a proven eight-step behavior management plan. If you’re looking for a straightforward overview of ADHD, Taking Charge of ADHD by clinician Russell A. Barkley is a great start.

Taking Charge of Adult ADHD

If you’re looking for a deeper dive into adult ADHD, Barkley’s Taking Charge of Adult ADHD is fantastic. I listened to the audiobook and loved it.

9. The Whole-Brain Child by Dr. Daniel Siegel

Dr. Daniel Siegel is a powerful leader in childhood development. He and Dr. Bruce Perry of The Boy Who Was Raised as A Dog, share a lot in common and refer to one another’s work often. While The Whole-Brain Child is not specific to ADHD, it equips parents with an understanding of childhood development and the brain. This is foundational information that can guide any parent of an ADHD child.

One of my favorite quotes from Dr. Siegel is based on a principle that I dive into deeply in my own book, Behind the Behavior. Daniel Siegel says,

Too often we forget that discipline really means to teach, not to punish. A disciple is a student, not a recipient of behavioural consequences.

Dr. Daniel Siegel, The Whole-Brain Child

This is the meaning of discipline and is foundational to guiding children well. The Whole Brain Child is not to be missed.

10. Behind the Behavior by Lindsay Leiviska, MAT

Yes. This is my book, Behind the Behavior. In it, I share my journey of radical transformation in my parenting. When I first became a mom, I had it all planned out. I was going to be the “good Christian momma” and raise my kids as such.

We homeschooled, memorized Scripture like no one’s business, and I tolerated zero crap from my girls. And the pride oozed from my skin without me even realizing it. (Just like a Pharisee, right?)

My “Out of Control” Child Changed Everything

God had other plans for me when my husband and I adopted our son. Our lives would never be the same. My boy’s uncontrollable behaviors humbled me. Ultimately, those same behaviors saved my family. They walked me into the world of cognitive differences such as ADHD, Autism, and anxiety.

In Behind the Behavior,

• Dive deeply into Scripture and learn how traditional Christian parenting often hurts kids,
• Explore a 4-step parenting framework to help you navigate the biggest meltdowns.

If you’re dealing with an “out of control” kid, this one’s for you.

Be encouraged, Friend. Your child is capable of great things!

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• Creativity
• Passion
• Hyperfocus
• Energy
• Self-reliance

In the end, I recommend focusing on your child’s strengths. By all means, these strengths must be embraced for children to grow into healthy confident adults. As you read these books you gain practical knowledge and different approaches and insight to help your child thrive.

Read (or listen to the audiobooks on Audible) one of these 15 best ADHD books and be encouraged.

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This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a nominal fee from qualifying purchases. Thank you for your support. See my disclosure policy for more info.

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a nominal fee from qualifying purchases. Thank you for your support. See my disclosure policy for more info.