RESOURCES FOR ATTENTION ISSUES | ADHD

 

RESOURCES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH ATTENTION ISSUES | ADHD

Below is a 60-resource guide for children, teens, and adults with attention challenges or ADHD.  It includes reliable information, treatment and school-support guidance, executive-function tools, books, organizations, peer groups, and professional directories.

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition involving persistent patterns of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interfere with functioning.  Support is most effective when it is individualized and may include behavioral strategies, parent training, school supports, therapy, medication, coaching, and practical environmental changes.cdc+1

ADHD Information and Education

1. CDC ADHD Resource Center — Evidence-based information about symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, research, and resources for families, adults, educators, and professionals.cdc+1

2. CDC: ADHD in Children — Clear guidance on when to speak with a healthcare provider and how ADHD may be evaluated and treated.cdc

3. CDC: Treatment of ADHD — Overview of behavior therapy, medication, parent training, and school-based support recommendations.cdc

4. CDC: ADHD in the Classroom — Guidance on classroom behavioral management, organizational training, accommodations, IEPs, and Section 504 plans.restoredcdc

5. CHADD—Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder — Major national nonprofit offering ADHD education, advocacy, programs, local chapters, and support.chadd

6. CHADD National Resource Center on ADHD — Free evidence-based resources, trainings, and live helpline support; call 1-866-200-8098.cdc+1

7. CHADD Parent-to-Parent Program — Parent education program covering ADHD, home and school strategies, treatment, and advocacy.chadd+1

8. CHADD Parent Training and Support Courses — Self-paced courses that combine ADHD education, practical home/school strategies, and opportunities to connect with other parents. chadd

9. CHADD: Executive Function Skills — Explanation of executive-function skills such as planning, organization, working memory, self-regulation, and time management.chadd

10. CHADD: ADHD Coaching — Information about ADHD coaching, selecting a coach, and coaching goals such as planning, organization, time management, and problem-solving.chadd 

11. ADDA—Attention Deficit Disorder Association — Adult-centered ADHD organization providing practical information, courses, webinars, peer support, and community.add 

12. ADDA: Executive Function and ADHD — Adult strategies for routines, prioritization, reminders, planners, and managing daily executive-function demands.add 

13. ADDA: Five Pillars to Manage ADHD — Adult ADHD education and management framework.add 

14. Understood: ADHD Resources — Family-friendly explanations, school strategies, and tools for ADHD, executive functioning, and learning differences.understood+1

15. Understood: Executive Function Strategies at Home — Practical approaches for routines, task initiation, emotional regulation, organization, and independence.understood

16. Child Mind Institute ADHD Resources — Articles and clinical guidance addressing ADHD, behavior, school challenges, executive functioning, and co-occurring conditions.childmind 

17. ADDitude Magazine — ADHD-focused articles, podcasts, expert webinars, printable guides, and practical strategies for adults, families, educators, and clinicians.additudemag

18. ADDitude Webinar and Podcast Library — Free on-demand webinars and slide materials covering ADHD across home, school, work, relationships, and mental health.additudemag

19. ADDitude: ADHD and Executive Function — Information and worksheets on focus, organization, planning, and executive dysfunction.additudemag

20. ADDitude: Executive-Function Strategies for Children and Teens — Parent-oriented strategies for routines, organization, working memory, self-control, and independent task completion.additudemag

Evidence-Based Support and Therapy

21. Behavior therapy — Structured behavioral strategies can help people develop skills and reduce ADHD-related difficulties; parent training in behavior management is especially recommended for preschool-aged children before medication is considered.cdc

22. Parent training in behavior management — Helps caregivers establish predictable routines, reinforce desired behaviors, use clear instructions, and respond consistently to challenges.cdc+1

23. Behavioral classroom management — Teacher-led systems using clear expectations, feedback, positive reinforcement, and consistent routines; CDC identifies it as an effective school-based strategy.restoredcdc

24. Organizational training — School or clinical interventions that explicitly teach management of materials, assignments, calendars, and task completion.restoredcdc

25. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) — May help adolescents and adults address ADHD-related procrastination, emotional distress, avoidance, negative self-talk, and organization difficulties.

26. ADHD medication management — Evaluation and monitoring by a licensed healthcare professional; for many people, medication is one component of a broader, individualized treatment plan.cdc+1

27. Occupational therapy — May be useful when attention challenges overlap with sensory regulation, routines, handwriting, fine-motor needs, motor planning, or daily-living skills.

28. Speech-language evaluation or therapy — Consider when attention challenges also affect language processing, social communication, literacy, verbal organization, or classroom participation.

29. Pediatrician, family physician, psychiatrist, psychologist, or psychiatric nurse practitioner — Professionals who may evaluate ADHD and coordinate medical or behavioral treatment.cdc

30. School psychologist or licensed educational diagnostician — School-based professionals who can support evaluation, behavior planning, academic interventions, and eligibility discussions.

Books and Workbooks

31. Taking Charge of ADHD by Russell A. Barkley, Ph.D. — Parent guide to understanding ADHD, treatment options, behavior supports, and school collaboration.

32. Taking Charge of Adult ADHD by Russell A. Barkley, Ph.D. — Adult-focused practical guide to diagnosis, treatment, organization, work, and relationships.

33. Your Defiant Child by Russell A. Barkley, Ph.D., and Christine M. Benton — Structured parent program for managing oppositional behavior that can co-occur with ADHD.

34. Smart but Scattered by Peg Dawson, Ed.D., and Richard Guare, Ph.D. — Parent-friendly strategies for executive-function skills, routines, organization, and follow-through.

35. Smart but Scattered Teens by Richard Guare, Peg Dawson, and Colin Guare — Teen-focused tools for planning, school organization, time management, and independence.

36. Smart but Scattered Adults by Peg Dawson and Richard Guare — Workbook for building adult systems for planning, tasks, routines, and time.

37. Driven to Distraction by Edward M. Hallowell, M.D., and John J. Ratey, M.D. — Well-known overview of ADHD across the lifespan.

38. Delivered from Distraction by Edward Hallowell and John Ratey — Updated strategies for living, learning, working, and parenting with ADHD.

39. The ADHD Effect on Marriage by Melissa Orlov — Relationship-centered resource for couples affected by ADHD.

40. The Disorganized Mind by Nancy A. Ratey, Ed.M., M.C.C. — Practical systems for organization, planning, attention, and follow-through.

Digital Tools and Daily Systems

41. Google Calendar — Use color-coded calendars, recurring events, transition alerts, travel-time blocks, and shared family calendars to externalize time and deadlines.

42. Google Tasks — Simple, free task lists that integrate with Gmail and Google Calendar.

43. Todoist — Task-management app with reminders, recurring tasks, priorities, labels, and a focused daily list.add 

44. Microsoft To Do — Free task-management system with shared lists, due dates, reminders, and “My Day” planning.

45. Tiimo — Visual planner designed for neurodivergent users; supports routines, transitions, time awareness, and task sequencing.tiimoapp

46. Trello — Visual, board-based task management using “To Do,” “Doing,” and “Done” stages.

47. Notion — Customizable workspace for routines, checklists, assignment tracking, project planning, and visual dashboards; start with one template rather than building a complex system.neurodivergentinsights 

48. Goblin.  tools — Tool that breaks large or vague tasks into smaller, more concrete actions.

49. Focusmate — Online body-doubling platform for scheduled, quiet work sessions with another person.

50. Forest or Pomodoro timers — Timers that support short focus sprints, scheduled breaks, and a clearer starting point for difficult tasks.

51. Speech-to-text tools — Useful when written output, spelling, organization of ideas, or working memory limits productivity; schools may include technology supports in accommodation plans.restoredcdc 

52. Noise-reducing headphones or earplugs — Environmental supports that can lower distraction in school, work, study, or public settings.

Organizations and Support Groups

53. CHADD local chapters and affiliates — Local and online support, education, advocacy, and peer connection for adults with ADHD, parents, caregivers, partners, educators, and professionals.chadd+1

54. CHADD chapter locator — Use CHADD to find local meetings, parent programs, adult groups, and ADHD resources.chadd 

55. ADDA Virtual Peer Support Groups — Online, nonjudgmental peer groups for adults with ADHD and parents of children with ADHD.add

56. ADDA Ambassadors Program — Adult peer-connection opportunity for people who want to talk with others who have lived experience of ADHD.helplinefaqs.  nami

57. NAMI support and resource connections — National Alliance on Mental Illness information and referrals, including direction to ADHD support organizations and treatment resources.  helplinefaqs.  nami

58. ADHD Coaches Organization (ACO) — Worldwide professional organization for ADHD coaches, with public events, classes, and a searchable coach directory.adhdcoaches 

59. ACO Find Your Coach Directory — Directory that allows individuals to identify potential ADHD coaches; many offer virtual services and introductory consultations.adhdcoaches 

60. ADD Coach Academy (ADDCA) Directory — Search for certified ADHD and life coaches by specialty, certification level, language, and service format.addca 

61. Professional Association for ADHD Coaches (PAAC) — Independent credentialing organization for ADHD coach practitioners.addca

62. Edge Foundation — Coaching program for high-school and college students with ADHD and executive-function needs.chadd

63. Psychology Today ADHD support-group directory — Search by location for therapist-led ADHD groups, parent groups, executive-function groups, and skills-training programs.

64. LifeStance Adult ADHD Group—Texas — Virtual eight-week CBT-based group for Texas adults with ADHD; participation requirements and availability may change.lifestance

North Texas Connections

65. North Texas CHADD — Regional CHADD affiliate serving adults with ADHD, parents, caregivers, and professionals across Dallas–Fort Worth and surrounding communities.chadd

66. North Texas CHADD monthly support meetings — Virtual peer-support meetings listed by the chapter; confirm the current schedule through the chapter before attending.chadd

67. North Texas CHADD Facebook community — Local connection point for regional announcements, resources, and support.chadd

68. North Texas CHADD peer support — Meetings address executive-function tools, time and task management, school/work accommodations, treatment discussions, parenting, and co-occurring conditions.mytherapygroups 

69. Dallas-area ADHD support and therapy groups — Search Psychology Today or a local healthcare directory for current groups; availability, cost, eligibility, and clinical focus differ by provider.lifestance 

School and Workplace Supports

Students with ADHD may qualify for an IEP, a Section 504 plan, or informal classroom supports, depending on how ADHD affects educational access and performance.  Potential supports include extra time, breaks and movement opportunities, technology, positive feedback, reduced distraction, organizational assistance, and tailored assignments.restoredcdc 

Adults may request reasonable workplace accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act when ADHD substantially limits one or more major life activities.  Helpful examples may include written task instructions, a quieter workspace or noise reduction, task-management software, predictable check-ins, flexible break scheduling, and project deadlines broken into interim milestones.