You live in a world that wasn’t designed for you. A world where you’re expected to sit still, stay quiet, and focus. Because of the way your brain is wired, you can feel like you’re failing at life. But you are not failing. You are awesome.
Award-winning content creators Kim and Penn Holderness are on a mission to reboot how we think about the unfortunately named “attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.” As always, they are doing it by looking in the mirror, because they don’t just study ADHD; they live it.
Penn was in college when he was diagnosed with ADHD, although the signs of having a brain that worked just a little bit differently had been there since he was a kid. Rather than view the diagnosis as a curse or give in to feelings of inadequacy or failure, he took a different approach, one that he wants to share with fellow ADHDers and the people who care about them.
Drawing on their often-hilarious insights and the expertise of doctors, researchers, and specialists; Kim and Penn provide fun, easy-to-digest advice and explanations, including:
- What it’s actually like to live with an ADHD brain.
- How to find humor in the pitfalls, sob stories, and unbelievable triumphs (like the time they won The Amazing Race!) that come with ADHD.
- How to tackle the challenges ADHD presents with a positive outlook.
- Targeted tools and techniques to play to your unique strengths.
- Fun extras like ADHD Bingo, an ode to cargo pants, and what the world would look like if ADHDers were in charge.
Take it from Penn: Having ADHD can be scary, but it comes with incredible upsides, including creativity, hyperfocus, and energy. You might even say it’s kind of awesome. Whether you have ADHD or want to support someone else in their journey, this is the guide you need to make the life you want.
Since it has become her favorite book, she decided to write a book report about it for her English class. I found her staying up past bedtime in her room writing a detailed outline for her essay (on her own volition) and she was SO excited to share this book with her teacher. She is also now a fan of cargo pants ("purse pants").
Thank you for giving a voice to my daughter and empowering her to harness her energy, creativity, and hyperfocus for good!
This book has helped us see that while there are daily struggles for the both of us, we also can do some pretty great stuff. Thank you so much, Penn, Kim, and medical staff for making this book so transparent, human, helpful, and engaging.
P.S. Penn, now we play Duotrigordle daily together thanks to the mention in the book, and I now know what hook and loop is. :)
I am adding this to my class on special education for future and current teachers.
Simple. Easy to read.
You enter the minds and understand the frustration feeling of having adhd.
Mother of an adhd 7 year old
I knew something was off when he was young.
Diagnosed at age 5. The Book truly gives me a comforting ( not alone) feeling.