8 great books on how to support someone with ADHD
By Vimbai Mkaronda
It’s Disability Pride Month, and if there’s one thing I’m intentional about — both personally and at askChenai — it’s how we show up for neurodivergent people. Supporting ADHD, in particular, is close to my heart. Some of our clients live with it, some of us on the team live with it, and even those of us who don’t are deeply invested in understanding it better.
Also, if you know me, you know I love a good book. I’ve been talking about starting an askChenai book club for months now — nothing formal, just a space for us to read and grow intentionally together. So, in the spirit of the month, I’m finally kicking things off with this list of books that have shaped how we think about, work with, and support people with ADHD.
If you’re curious about ADHD, live with it, love someone who does, or just want to deepen your understanding — here are 8 books we recommend.
1. You Mean I'm Not Lazy, Stupid or Crazy?! - Kate Kelly & Peggy Ramundo
I’m starting with my personal favourite because this was the one that made me feel truly seen. It was the first book that made me pause and think — “oh wow, this is ADHD?” It validated so much of what I’d felt, noticed, and heard from friends, clients, and colleagues — things I’d never quite been able to put into words Written by two women with ADHD, it’s like sitting in on an unfiltered, honest chat that’s part education, part therapy, part pep talk. If you’ve ever carried the weight of “why can’t I just get it together?” — read this.
2. Dirty Laundry: Why Adults with ADHD Are So Ashamed and What We Can Do to Help - Richard Pink & Roxanne Emery
This one is honest, raw, and deeply validating. Co-written by a couple navigating ADHD together, it digs deep into the shame, guilt, and self-doubt that so many adults with ADHD quietly live with. Roxanne’s vulnerability makes the book hit even harder. It’s not about “fixing” — it’s about understanding yourself with compassion.
3. ADHD: A Hunter in a Farmer’s World - Thom Hartmann
This book reframed everything for me. Hartmann’s theory is that ADHD isn’t a disorder, but an alternative wiring — a brain built for fast, creative, adaptive thinking (like a hunter), in a world designed for routine and repetition (like a farmer’s world). If you’ve ever wondered why the 9-5 structure feels suffocating, this book gives some answers.
4. Divergent Mind: Thriving in a World That Wasn’t Designed for You - Jenara Nerenberg
A must-read if you want to understand how ADHD, autism, and sensitivity often show up differently in women and marginalised people — which is why many go undiagnosed. Jenara, a neurodivergent woman of colour, weaves together research, personal stories, and cultural reflection. It’s insightful and so necessary.
5. Executive Function & Me - Dr. Carolyn Lentzsch-Parcells
If “executive dysfunction” is a phrase you’ve heard but don’t quite understand, start here. It explains how ADHD impacts planning, memory, and follow-through in a way that’s accessible and friendly. Whether you’re living with ADHD or supporting someone who is, this is a great primer.
6. A Radical Guide for Women with ADHD - Sari Solden & Michelle Frank
This book feels like a love letter to every woman with ADHD who’s been told she’s too much, too messy, or too loud. It’s less about hacks and more about self-acceptance, healing, and finding your voice again. I found it affirming even as someone without ADHD — a solid reminder that perfectionism isn’t the goal.
7. How to Thrive with Adult ADHD - Dr. James Kustow
We haven’t gotten to this one yet but it’s high on the list! Written by a psychiatrist who specialises in adult ADHD, it promises practical, actionable strategies for time management, emotional regulation, and organisation — without being overwhelming. Ideal for those newly diagnosed or just beginning to explore their ADHD.
8. ADHD Unlocked: A Guided Workbook for Adults - Alex Conner & James Brown
Another one still on our “to-read” list. This is a workbook designed to help you explore your ADHD profile through reflection exercises, practical tools, and personal insights. I’m especially keen on the non-judgmental, tailored approach this book seems to offer.
Why This Matters to Me — and to Us
At askChenai, we’re not just here to tick off tasks — we’re here to support the whole human. Many of our neurodivergent clients come to us feeling overwhelmed, burnt out, and like they’re “failing” at being an adult.
What they need isn’t just help — it’s a VA who gets it, a support system that adapts to them, not the other way around.
That’s why this reading — and learning — is important to me. It helps us support better, lead better, and just be better humans.
We’ll be growing our little book club internally, but I’d love to hear from you too:
What’s your go-to ADHD or neurodivergence read? What should we add to our askChenai book club list? What’s helped you understand yourself or the people around you better?
Let me know in the comments — I’m always looking for new things to read, fact or fiction.
And if you’re living with ADHD — or even just wondering if that might be you — 📩 Send me a DM. Always happy to share resources, connect you to the right people, or just have a chat. 🔁 For more of my thoughts on leadership, life, and learning, follow me here: www.linkedin.com/in/vimbainatashamkaronda
#ADHD #Neurodivergence #askChenaiReads #MentalHealthAwareness #NeurodivergentSupport