Top ADHD Resources for Parents & Individuals: Best Sites, Apps, and Support Communities
Oct 24, 2024
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects millions of children and adults globally, leading to unique challenges in both daily functioning and long-term development. The internet has become a crucial resource for those seeking support, education, and community in managing ADHD. As someone who has spent years exploring the landscape of ADHD resources for parents—both personally and professionally—I’ve come across various sites and platforms that have made a meaningful impact. In this guide, I will highlight the top ADHD sites, including Bonding Health, Wise Squirrel ADHD, and others that have been instrumental for families and individuals navigating this journey.
1. Bonding Health: A Comprehensive Resource for ADHD Parenting
I co-founded Bonding Health with a mission to change how parents of ADHD children approach emotional regulation and mood management. ADHD isn’t just a behavioral challenge; it impacts families at an emotional level, causing frustration, burnout, and often a sense of helplessness. Bonding Health was built to help parents better regulate their own emotions so they can guide their children from a place of calm and confidence.
At Bonding Health, we focus on evidence-based interventions like reappraisal, emotional granularity, and motivational enhancement to help parents reframe their mindset around ADHD-related challenges. Through our ADHD parenting app, parents can track their emotions, access quick interventions, and participate in a supportive community. The app is designed not just as a symptom tracker for the child but as a mood management tool for the parent, fostering healthier emotional responses and more effective parenting.
One of the unique features we offer is our Qik interventions, which are bite-sized emotional regulation exercises designed to fit into busy parenting schedules. We understand that parents don’t have hours a day to focus on mental health practices, so we’ve designed Qiks to be quick but impactful, providing relief and emotional regulation in just a few minutes. With the additional support of a growing Slack community of ADHD parents and experts, Bonding Health is making emotional well-being and resilience more accessible than ever before.
2. Wise Squirrel ADHD: A Personal, Research-Driven Platform
Wise Squirrel ADHD is another platform making waves in the ADHD community. Run by an ADHD coach who has firsthand experience navigating the world with ADHD, Wise Squirrel offers a treasure trove of research-driven articles, personal anecdotes, and resources for those living with ADHD.
What makes Wise Squirrel stand out is its blend of scientific evidence with personal insight. ADHD can feel overwhelming, and sometimes the scientific jargon associated with it makes it hard to digest. Wise Squirrel bridges that gap by providing information in a digestible, relatable way. This platform also focuses on holistic methods, something I’m deeply passionate about, offering guidance on diet, exercise, and other natural ways to mitigate ADHD symptoms.
Wise Squirrel’s articles on topics like ADHD and nutrition, executive functioning hacks, and self-compassion offer a balanced perspective for parents, adults, and teens. As an advocate of ADHD being a ‘superpower,’ I appreciate Wise Squirrel’s encouragement of embracing ADHD as a unique trait rather than a hindrance. For parents looking to explore digital tools to assist their children, check out our detailed guide on the Top 7 ADHD Apps for Kids.
3. ADDitude: A Long-Standing Trusted Source
When people first start researching ADHD, ADDitude Magazine is often the first stop. ADDitude has been a cornerstone in ADHD education for over two decades, offering in-depth articles, expert advice, and a wide variety of resources for both parents and adults with ADHD.
One of the things I admire about ADDitude is its ability to cater to such a broad audience. Whether you’re a parent, an adult with ADHD, or a professional working in the field, ADDitude offers content tailored to your needs. The platform features articles on every topic imaginable, from how to handle ADHD meltdowns in children to advice for adults trying to navigate workplace challenges. For insights on how to manage common behavioral issues, you can also read our article on ADHD Morning Anger, which provides practical strategies for parents.
4. CHADD: Advocacy and Support
The Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) organization is another essential resource for anyone dealing with ADHD. CHADD is dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by ADHD through education, advocacy, and support. Their focus on community-building, paired with their policy advocacy work, makes them unique among ADHD resources.
CHADD’s National Resource Center provides evidence-based information on ADHD and related conditions. What I appreciate most about CHADD is their emphasis on empowering individuals through knowledge. They offer extensive resources that cover everything from school accommodations to navigating legal protections for individuals with ADHD.
5. Understood.org: Tailored for Parents
Understood.org is a one-stop shop for parents of children with learning and attention issues, with a significant emphasis on ADHD. What I admire about Understood is their ability to break down complex topics into manageable, digestible chunks. They understand that parents are often overwhelmed with the sheer amount of information they need to process, so they focus on practical, actionable advice.
The platform offers everything from behavior management strategies to special education law insights. They also have a strong focus on social-emotional learning, which ties into the work we’re doing at Bonding Health. Understood’s resources empower parents with both knowledge and tools, making the often overwhelming process of advocating for their children in school systems a bit more manageable.
You may also want to read Bonding Health and the Growth Mindset: A Parent's Perspective to see how the growth mindset philosophy can assist in supporting parents.
6. Totally ADD: Humor Meets Information
Totally ADD is a bit different from the other platforms mentioned here in that it uses humor to discuss ADHD. Founded by comedian Rick Green, Totally ADD offers a light-hearted but informative take on ADHD issues. The goal is to provide a sense of community and understanding for adults living with ADHD, many of whom were only diagnosed later in life.
Conclusion
Living with ADHD is not a one-size-fits-all journey. Every person, every family, experiences it differently. The internet has provided us with a wealth of ADHD resources for parents to help navigate these waters, but it can often feel overwhelming knowing where to start. Sites like Bonding Health and Wise Squirrel ADHD are built to offer personalized support and actionable advice. Platforms like ADDitude, CHADD, Understood.org, and Totally ADD provide extensive education, advocacy, and even a touch of humor to help make the ADHD experience a little easier.
In the end, these platforms represent not just information but community and empowerment. Whether you’re a parent of an ADHD child or an adult navigating your diagnosis, know that support is available. These sites are just a few of the many great resources out there waiting to help you along the way.
