
A parent might reach for this book when their child is confused or frustrated by a friend's behavior that seems unpredictable or impulsive. "My Friend Has ADHD" provides clear, child-friendly language to explain why a friend might be easily distracted, have trouble sitting still, or blurt things out. It reframes these behaviors not as choices, but as differences in how their friend's brain works. Through the eyes of a caring friend, the book fosters empathy and offers concrete, positive strategies for how a child can be supportive and understanding. It's an excellent tool for normalizing neurodivergence, building stronger friendships, and giving children the vocabulary to talk about differences with kindness. The straightforward, gentle approach makes it ideal for starting this important conversation.
The book's core topic is neurodivergence, specifically ADHD. The approach is direct, secular, and informational, aiming to demystify the condition. It avoids clinical or stigmatizing language. The resolution is entirely hopeful and practical, framing understanding and empathy as the keys to strengthening a friendship. There is no mention of medication or therapy, keeping the focus on peer support.
Your experience helps other parents find the right book.
Sign in to write a reviewThe ideal reader is a neurotypical child aged 7 to 10 who has a friend, classmate, or sibling with ADHD. This child may be feeling annoyed or personally slighted by their friend's behavior and needs a framework for understanding that the actions are not intentional. This book is for the child who wants to be a good friend but lacks the tools or perspective to navigate the challenges.
This book can be read cold; it is designed to be a gentle introduction. However, a parent may want to preview the final pages, which include a glossary and "Tips for Being a Good Friend." This will prepare them to reinforce the book's actionable advice and answer any follow-up questions about the brain or specific friendship strategies. A parent might seek this book after hearing their child say, "Leo never listens to me when I talk," or "Why does my friend always get in trouble?" The trigger is observing a child's frustration with a peer and wanting to replace that frustration with empathy and patience.
A younger child (7-8) will connect with the concrete examples of classroom and playground behavior and the simple, direct tips for friendship. An older child (9-10) will be better able to grasp the simple neurological explanations about the brain's "control center" and may be more interested in the concept of neurodiversity as a whole. The older reader can internalize the lessons about perspective-taking more deeply.
Unlike many books written from the perspective of the child with ADHD, this book's primary audience is the neurotypical friend. This unique focus on the peer's experience and role is its greatest strength. It's not just about explaining ADHD; it's about empowering other children to become allies and better friends, providing them with a proactive, positive role to play.
This nonfiction book is told from the first-person perspective of a child whose friend has ADHD. The narrator describes common scenarios at school and during play where their friend's ADHD traits (inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity) are noticeable. For example, the friend struggles to listen in class but excels at creative problem-solving during a science experiment. The book offers simple, scientific explanations for why this happens and concludes with actionable tips on how the narrator (and the reader) can be a supportive and understanding friend.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.