New Book Offers Practical, Research-Backed Toolkit for Adults with ADHD

Imagine a toolkit filled with tried-and-true skills that empowers adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to be more focused and productive — and to hack daily life so their strengths can shine. That's exactly what expert ADHD researcher and therapist Laura E. Knouse, a psychology professor at the University of Richmond, is offering readers in her latest book, Living Well with Adult ADHD.

The friendly guide includes 27 short, engaging chapters that present a menu of science-based strategies and resources for getting organized, completing tasks from start to finish, managing time, regulating emotions and impulses, and addressing common relationship problems associated with ADHD.

As Knouse explains, this book can benefit anyone, not just adults with ADHD.

What research went into writing this book?

Dr.  Knouse: The book is inspired by my experiences helping to develop and test evidence-based cognitive-behavioral (CBT) approaches for adult ADHD. These treatments are designed to help clients learn new ways of thinking and doing that can help them achieve their meaningful goals, despite the self-regulation challenges that living with ADHD can present.

How do you imagine people will interact with this book?

Because there’s no one-size-fits all approach to living well with ADHD, the book is designed to allow readers to pin point the information most relevant to their needs and, using short checklists, to identify the strategies that are most relevant to their situation—a sort of “choose your own adventure” for learning new skills. The interactive format isn’t just about keeping the reader engaged—it’s about helping people practice new strategies in their daily life so that they can figure out what works best.

Could this book be helpful for people without ADHD?

I really think so! No matter how good your attention span is, these days we’re surrounded by technology designed to capture our attention and convert it into corporate revenue. I think most people, myself included, could benefit from strategies designed to help us better focus our efforts on the things that are most meaningful to us and move in those directions.

What does this add to the literature and conversations around adult ADHD?

Many books for adults with ADHD focus on background knowledge about the disorder or offer solutions based primarily on personal experience. My goal with this book was to start with evidence-based strategies and empower people with ADHD to find creative solutions for their everyday lives. As I say in the book, based on everything we know about human behavior, change is always possible.