Favorite Resources for Neurodivergents
Over the years, I’ve discovered some great places to learn more about what it means to be neurodivergent, the different intervention options, connect, and some life hack tools. Here are some appropriate for middle school and older.
Focused on Neurodivergent Conditions
ADDitude: https://www.additudemag.com/
Online screening tools for ADHD and common co-occurring conditions
Information on evidence-based interventions for ADHD.
Information on developmental, specific learning, and mental health conditions commonly co-occurring with ADHD and interventions.
Strategies to address everyday challenges related to ADHD and other learning differences, including from people with those conditions
ADD provider directory
Additional resources for parents, educators, and providers
Webinars for educators, parents, family members, and individuals with ADHD that also show up on the ADHD Experts Podcast
Attention Deficit Disorder Association: https://add.org/
Geared towards adults
Online screening tools for ADHD
Information on evidence-based interventions for ADHD
Strategies to address everyday challenges related to ADHD
Online workshops and other learning opportunities for individuals, parents, and professionals
Virtual support groups
Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD): www.chadd.org
Information on ADHD, related challenges, and evidence-based interventions
Detailed information on how ADHD presents differently in girls and women and unique treatment needs
Information on developmental, specific learning, and mental health conditions commonly co-occurring with ADHD and interventions
Strategies to address everyday challenges related to ADHD.
ADHD provider and resource directory.
Additional resources for parents, educators, and providers
Aspire: the Female Autism Network: https://aspirefemaleautismnetwork.wordpress.com/?fbclid=IwAR28wrVJoP7JzgEnUfMDs6O2SorvolNXB9-wjBSHU2FohzonwXh--lN-Q5c
How ASD looks different in girls and women, including commonly co-occurring developmental, specific learning, and mental health conditions
The unique everyday challenges experienced by girls and women with ASD and strategies to address those challenges.
Information on seeking an evaluation, receiving a diagnosis, and getting educational and workplace accommodations.
Community support
Additional resources.
Association for Autism and Neurodiversity (AANE): www.aane.org
Educational resources on challenges commonly experienced by individuals with ASD and intervention options.
Educational resources for women with ASD and parents of girls with ASD, including addressing unique everyday challenges and overcoming barriers to accessing appropriate interventions.
Provider directory, including neuropsychologists
Community support, including meet-ups
Additional support for family, friends, and providers
Embrace Autism: https://embrace-autism.com
Embrace is a highly strengths-based website created by two female researchers. Both have psychology backgrounds and are autistic. One is a registered psychotherapist. The other is in training and also has ADHD (a common term for that combination is AuHD).
Information on:
Strengths and challenges associated with ASD
Common co-occurring mental health, developmental, and physical health conditions
Common everyday challenges, including social and mental health
Solutions to those challenges, including strengths-based interventions
Current research on ASD
The diagnostic process
Evidence-based quick screeners
Experiences of individuals with autism
The website is designed uniquely for the accessibility needs of individuals with ASD
The NVLD Project: https://nvld.org/
Challenges common among individuals with NVLD and interventions.
Strategies to address everyday challenges, including from people with NVLD
Information on NVLD from experts.
Additional resources for adolescents, adults, educators, and providers, including community support
Learning Disability Association of America (LDA): https://ldaamerica.org/
Information on specific learning disabilities and developmental conditions often present in individuals with specific learning disabilities
Information on common interventions for specific learning disabilities and related developmental conditions, including accommodations
Strategies to address everyday challenges.
Additional resources for parents, educators, and providers
Understood: https://www.understood.org/
Information on specific learning disabilities and developmental conditions
Information on common interventions for specific learning disabilities and common conditions
Strategies to address everyday challenges
Lots of information on special education and school accommodations
Focused on Social and Emotional Wellbeing
Mindfulness Meditation
Insight Meditation Timer
Includes the most guided meditations for free
10 Percent Happier App
You have to pay to get the most bang for your buck, but I promise it’s worth it. It has different courses and meditations for every need. There’s also a free podcast. Your subscription comes with a free one for a friend or family member.
Calm App
Has guided meditations and sleep stories. However, it’s one of those where you really need to access most features.
Tapping
The Tapping Solution App
I have found tapping amazing for my ADHD and general mental health. The app has a free version that has a great intro to tapping and some basic guided practices.
Brad Yates - Tap with Brad (Youtube Channel): https://www.youtube.com/@tapwithbrad
Amazing books and free resources for all ages learn social skills by teaching how to apply mindfulness to social situations. Also great for NVLD.
Focused on General Life Skills
Jessica McCabe’s YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@HowtoADHD/videos
How to ADHD is a YouTube channel that covers all things, as the title would suggest, ADHD. Discussing topics from social skills to motivation, this YouTube channel is a great resource for those who have just been diagnosed and want to learn more about the disorder. Jessica also teaches her viewers to have a sense of humor about their ADHD.
Amazing at home programs for anyone who has problems with handwriting. They have versions for all ages.
Focused on Mental Health Conditions
International OCD Foundation: https://iocdf.org/
Information on OCD and its treatment
Information on conditions that often occur with OCD
Provider directory
Resources for family, educators, and professionals
Community support
Anxiety & Depression Association of America: www.adaa.org
Information on different types of anxiety and depression and their treatment
Provider directory
Community support
CDC Mental Health: https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/index.htm
Information on different mental health conditions and their treatments for children and adults
Information on how different stressors can impact mental health
Tips for coping with everyday stressors to promote mental health
Mental health crisis resources
Information on how to get help and provider directories
Focused on Assistive Technology
LD Resources Foundation
Link: https://www.ldrfa.org/assistive-technology-apps-and-tools-for-students-adults-with-dyslexia/
Description: An overview of technology tools for students with dyslexia.
Good Sensory Learning
Link: https://goodsensorylearning.com/pages/assistive-technology-for-dyslexia
Description: A helpful list of computer programs, apps, and other learning aids.
The Dyslexia Resource
Link: https://dyslexiaresource.org/using-the-dyslexia-font-and-other-assisitive-technologies/
Description: Information on fonts that are more readable for students with dyslexia.
Bookshare
Link: https://www.bookshare.org/cms/
Description: Bookshare is a library of nonfiction and fiction books available in multiple formats, including audio, created for students who learn differently. It’s free to join.
Kurzweil
Link: https://www.kurzweiledu.com/default.html
Description: Kurzweil can read out loud textbooks and PDFs (including anything downloaded from Bookshare). I highly recommend it or something similar to what your school provides.
Grammarly
Link: https://app.grammarly.com/
Description: Grammarly is an excellent free grammar and spelling check r. I highly recommend it or something similar to what your school provides.
Open Dyslexic
Link: https://opendyslexic.org/
Description: This free font was developed to be more readable for students with dyslexia. I also find it helpful.
Focused on Work and School
Job Accommodations Network (JAN): https://askjan.org
There are lots of great ideas for potentially helpful accommodations for developmental and other learning conditions.
Free, confidential advice
Information on the Americans with Disability Act is the core of federal laws requiring equal access to education, work, and public places.
Starkloff Career Academy: https://starkloff.org/services/starkloff-career-academy/
This is an excellent free program for people with physical, learning, and developmental conditions that teaches you how to approach applying for jobs and advocating for your life. It includes virtual group sessions and access to a career coach with a condition.
Just For Older Teens and Up
ADHD for Smart Women: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/
I debated adding this one but couldn’t resist because it’s so amazing. I’ve fallen hook, line, and sinker, and many of my friends have too. Tracy Otsuka has a life-changing, empowering approach to thriving with the strengths and challenges associated with being neurodivergent, with a focus on ADHD. She’s kind of my inspiration in life.
She has a book and podcast called ADHD for Smart Ass Women, which is the reason I was conflicted.
Her podcast interviews very successful women with ADHD in various fields and with various neurodivergent conditions and covers tons of topics. Her book covers the same issues and more on using your strengths and values to find your purpose and then aligning that with your career. When you buy it, you can access many additional great resources, including free webinars.
In addition to her podcast, her website also has a lot of great free information on ADHD. I love her free ADHD symptom checklist for women: https://www.tracyotsuka.com/adhd-checklist/
She also has an incredible online Facebook Community named after her podcast and book, a planner you can purchase on her website, a recently released paid daily podcast with a blend of 10-minute positive morning practices, and webinars and courses based on her approach to finding your purpose and thriving. I mean, what hasn’t this woman done?
OK, enough gushing. Tracy, if you happen to read this post one day for some wacky reason, you’ve gotten me through some very tough times, and I’d love to be on your podcast.
Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN): https://autisticadvocacy.org
It is all about advocating for yourself at school, work, and with your care team, as well as information on legislation relevant to disabilities and advocacy opportunities. It’s centered on autism, but much of the information applies to other neurodivergent conditions.
The CBT Workbook for Adult ADHD by Kristen Baird-Goldman
A workbook that adapts Cognitive Behavioral Therapy principles for the ADHD brain, incorporating executive functioning hacks. Created by a woman with ADHD and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.
Unlock Your Career Potential: A Course for Neurodivergent Adults and Teens by Shell Mendelson
Shell Mendelson is a certified Career Coach who has ADHD. She’s taken her years of lived experience and training and adapted the classic What Color Is Your Parachute system for discovering your ideal career for the neurodivergent brain. Her book is available in physical or digital form.
ADHD & Us: A Couple’s Guide to Loving and Living with Adult ADHD by Anita Robertson
A workbook for neurodivergent couples by a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and ADHD Certified Clinical Service Provider with ADHD who specializes in therapy for neurodivergent couples.
Misnamed, Misdiagnosed, Misunderstood: Recognizing and Coping with NVLD (Nonverbal Learning Disorder) from Childhood Through Adulthood by Linda Karanzalis
Linda is the founder of ADDvantages Learning Center, which provides various educational services for neurodivergent children, teens, and adults. This book is about her experiences living with both NVLD and ADHD. Her website also has a lot of helpful information on NVLD.