ADHD Support: Tips, Tricks, Tools, and Helpful Sites Curated by ADHDers for ADHDers
Living with ADHD can feel like navigating a world built for brains that operate differently than your own. But here's the secret: you're not alone, and there's a whole community of ADHDers who have figured out some brilliant ways to not just survive but thrive! This blog post is a collection of insights, tools, and resources, curated by ADHDers for ADHDers.
The Power of the Fidget: More Than Just a Toy
Fidgets often get a bad rap, mistaken for distractions, especially in schools or the workplace. But for many with ADHD, they're essential tools for focus, emotional regulation, and even processing information. They provide an outlet for excess energy and of course, fidgeting, allowing your mind to zero in on the task at hand.
Our Top Fidget Picks:
Speks/Magnetic Balls: These small, powerful magnets can be endlessly reshaped, providing a satisfying tactile experience. They're discreet and surprisingly captivating.
Infinity Cube: This clever little gadget can be folded and unfolded in various ways, offering a smooth, repetitive motion that can be incredibly calming.
Fidget Stones: Sometimes, just having something to subtly touch and feel can make a difference. Fidget stones with different textures can serve this purpose. They’re perfect for the workplace or school as they are silent!
Nee-Doh Balls: A soft, stress-relief fidget toy with a dough-like, non-toxic filling that always returns to its original shape after being squished, pulled, or squeezed. These balls are designed to help promote focus, relieve anxiety, and provide tactile stimulation.
Websites & Tools to Make Life a Little Easier
The internet is a treasure trove of resources for ADHDers. From productivity apps to communities that understand, these sites can be game changers.
Todoist / TickTick: These powerful task management apps allow you to break down big projects into smaller, manageable steps. Their reminder systems are fantastic for those prone to "out of sight, out of mind."
Forest App: Want to stay off your phone and focus? Forest lets you plant a virtual tree that grows while you work. If you leave the app, your tree dies! It's a surprisingly effective way to build focus blocks.
How to ADHD (YouTube Channel): Jessica McCabe's channel is an absolute goldmine of practical tips, strategies, and explanations about ADHD. Her approach is compassionate, evidence-based, and incredibly empowering. McCabe is also the author of the book How to ADHD: An Insider's Guide to Working with Your Brain (Not Against It).
Brick Device: This is a client favorite! The brick is a physical device that temporarily removes distracting apps & their notifications from your phone.
Focusmate: This unique platform connects you with a co-working partner for 50-minute virtual sessions. The accountability of having someone else there (even virtually) can be incredibly effective for getting things done.
These sites help support ADHDers in finding support including coaches, products, and community.
CHADD: A leading non-profit national organization in the US providing education, advocacy, and support for individuals with ADHD and their families. It is also home to the National Resource Center on ADHD (NRC), a program funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
ADDA: A non-profit organization focused specifically on providing information, resources, and networking opportunities to help adults with ADHD lead better lives. It emphasizes generating hope, awareness, empowerment, and connections.
ADDA also has virtual workgroups that can support body doubling as well as peer support groups. For more information on these spaces, check out the ADDA Virtual Programs page.
ACO: The professional membership organization for ADHD coaches. It is a non-profit association dedicated to advancing the profession of ADHD coaching worldwide and maintaining a directory of professional ADHD coaches. If you are interested in coaching, consider signing up for a free consultation with our incredible coaches!
ADDitutde Magazine: A quarterly consumer publication and extensive online network that provides expert advice, strategies, and support for parents and adults living with ADHD and related conditions like learning disabilities, anxiety, and depression.
Tips & Tricks from the Trenches
These aren't just theories; these are strategies forged in the fires of ADHD daily life.
The "Body Doubling" Phenomenon: Struggling to start a dreaded task? Try doing it alongside someone else, even if they're working on something completely different. The presence of another person (in person or via video call) can provide just enough external accountability to kickstart your motivation.
Externalize Everything: Your brain isn't a great filing cabinet for short-term memories. Write it down, put it in your calendar, set a reminder – if it's important, get it out of your head and into a reliable system.
Gamify Your Life: Turn boring tasks into games. Can you beat your best time cleaning the kitchen? Can you check off 5 items from your to-do list before lunch? A little friendly competition with yourself can make a huge difference.
Pro Tip: If you complete the task, give yourself a reward! A sweet treat, something in your Amazon cart for months, or a vacation!
Embrace the "Messy" Start: Perfectionism is the enemy of progress for ADHDers. Often, the hardest part is just starting. Give yourself permission to make a "messy" first draft, a "bad" workout, or an "imperfect" meal. Once you start, momentum often builds.
The 2-Minute Rule: If a task takes less than two minutes to complete (e.g., putting away a dish, replying to a quick email), do it immediately. This prevents small tasks from piling up into overwhelming mountains.
"Future You" Reminders: Leave notes, set alarms, or prepare things the night before that will help "Future You." Lay out clothes, pack your bag, or set the coffee maker – anything to reduce friction in the morning.
Visual Schedules & Checklists: For some, a physical, visual representation of their day or tasks is incredibly helpful. Whiteboards, sticky notes, or even a simple paper checklist can make amorphous tasks feel concrete.
Now that you’ve learned about some resources, it’s time to put it into action. Ready to take the first step toward a better you? Sign up for a FREE consultation today and unlock more tools for ADHD!
