Books and tools I use and recommend
Everything on this page is something I use myself, recommend to clients, or genuinely think will help. I’ll update this list as I find more worth sharing.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Many of the links below are affiliate links, which means if you buy through them I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It's a meaningful way to support my work and I'm grateful for it.
Books I love to share
This list of books is organized by topic: Executive Function & ADHD, Parenting & Child Development, Emotional Regulation & Mental Health, Productivity & Habits, and Music, Learning & Connection.
Click on any book title below to find it on Amazon.
Executive Function & ADHD
A practical, research-based guide to understanding and building executive function skills in kids. If your child is capable but struggling to follow through, get organized, or get started, this is a great place to begin.
The same practical framework as the original, adapted for teenagers navigating the added pressures of high school, independence, and everything that comes with it.
The adult version of the Smart But Scattered series. If you've always felt like you were capable of more but keep getting in your own way, this one is for you. I love how it's filled with worksheets and activities to get you thinking about your own executive functioning.
A comprehensive, research-based guide for educators, parents, and school leaders on how to teach and support executive function skills in students. Practical, grounded, and genuinely useful.
A friendly, no-nonsense guide to understanding ADHD as an adult. Jesse writes with warmth and humor, and the book is full of practical strategies that actually fit how ADHD brains work. I met him at the Neurodiversion 2026 conference and he's just as lovely in person.
One of the most comprehensive and well-researched books on ADHD available. Dr. Barkley is one of the leading experts in the field, and this book is an excellent resource for parents who want to understand what's really going on with their child's brain. I also found this very helpful for myself.
Hopeful, practical, and full of new science that reframes ADHD as a difference worth understanding, not just managing. I like how they describe how ADHD impacts the brain. This is the newer version of their original ADHD book, Driven to Distraction.
Based on McCabe's beloved YouTube channel of the same name, this book is warm, funny, and deeply practical. A great read for anyone with ADHD who wants strategies that actually work for their brain. Jessica is a truly wonderful person and I'm so happy to support her and share her book.
A refreshingly fun and honest look at life with ADHD from a couple who both have it. Funny, relatable, and genuinely helpful, this one is a great read for adults and families navigating ADHD together. The book itself is colorful and a delightful read.
Parenting & Child Development
A fascinating deep dive into the science of what teenagers actually need to thrive, drawing on decades of research and interviews with both teens and the adults in their lives. Eye-opening for any parent of an adolescent. I got to interview Ellen on the Focus Forward podcast.
In her first book on executive function skills and kids, Galinsky translates cutting-edge research on child development into practical insights for parents, teaching us about the skills kids need to succeed. If your kids are younger, this is a must-read.
Dr. Ginsburg, a renowned adolescent medicine specialist, offers a compelling framework for raising resilient, confident kids. The lighthouse metaphor, being a steady beacon rather than a helicopter, is helpful for understanding how we can be truly effective for our kids. Dr. Ginsburg was a guest on Focus Forward, too.
A reassuring and practical guide for parents of kids who struggle with executive function. Delman offers real strategies and a hopeful perspective that things really can get better. It's packed with great tools you can implement right away.
A compassionate and paradigm-shifting book for parents of kids who struggle with emotional regulation and flexibility. Dr. Greene's Collaborative Problem Solving approach has helped countless families find a better way forward. I found reading this very helpful in understanding children's behavior.
A wonderful blend of neuroscience and practical parenting strategies. Siegel and Bryson explain how children's brains develop and how parents can respond in ways that support that development rather than work against it. What I loved about this book is how practical and research-based it is.
Emotional Regulation & Mental Health
Dr. Brackett, the founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, makes a compelling case for why emotional literacy matters and how to develop it. This book changed the way I think about feelings and helped me understand emotional intelligence on a much deeper level. I think this is an important read for everyone.
A thoughtful and research-backed approach to understanding stress and self-regulation in children and adults. Dr. Shanker reframes many challenging behaviors as stress responses, which is both eye-opening and deeply compassionate. Practical tips and explanations of the science makes it a very useful book.
A counterintuitive and genuinely fascinating read that challenges everything you think you know about stress. McGonigal's research-backed argument that our relationship with stress matters more than stress itself is something I come back to often. Amy and I did an episode about it on I Think I Can Be Happier.
A compassionate and accessible introduction to EMDR therapy and how our past experiences shape us. Even if EMDR therapy isn't on your radar, this book offers a powerful framework for understanding how the brain processes difficult experiences.
A groundbreaking book for anyone who has ever felt too sensitive, too overwhelmed, or too intense. Dr. Aron's work validates the experience of highly sensitive people and offers practical tools for navigating a world that wasn't always designed for them. Incredibly validating.
Productivity & Habits
A refreshing look at procrastination that goes beyond "just do it." Dr. Sapadin identifies six distinct procrastination styles and offers tailored strategies for each, making this one of the more practical books on the topic. I like this book because it's got quizzes (fun) and practical strategies.
One of the most widely read books on habit formation for good reason. Clear breaks down the science of behavior change into simple, actionable strategies that work for all kinds of brains. This is one of my favorites to re-read.
A thoughtful and gently philosophical take on productivity, time, and what it really means to live well. Burkeman has a rare gift for making you feel less overwhelmed and more human, all at once. A life-changing book for me. I cannot recommend it enough.
A practical and encouraging guide to getting organized without the guilt or the perfectionism. Moore's approach is realistic and kind, which makes it a great fit for anyone who has tried to get organized before and felt like they failed. Another guest on Focus Forward, and he'll be joining us on I Think I Can Be Happier later this year.
Possibly the most compassionate book ever written about housekeeping. Davis, a licensed professional counselor, reframes home care as a practical skill rather than a moral obligation, and the relief you feel reading it is immediate. It's funny, easy to read, and organized in a super useful format. I got to be a guest on her podcast back in 2024.
Music, Learning & Connection
A beautiful and research-backed exploration of how music shapes the way we live, learn, and connect. Written by a father-daughter team, this book makes a compelling case for using music intentionally in our daily lives, and even includes QR codes so you can listen as you read. Sara is the founder of Mozart for Munchkins in NYC.
On My Reading List
Books I haven't read yet but keep hearing about from people I trust. Sharing them here in case they catch your eye too.
Recommended to me by multiple adult clients, and after hearing Bill and Dave speak on The Happiness Lab podcast, this one moved to the top of my list. The premise of using design thinking to build a more meaningful life sounds genuinely useful.
The companion workbook to Designing Your Life. I'm planning to work through both together when I get to them.
Tools and supplies I use
These are the everyday objects I keep within reach, organized by what they help with.
I actually use these tools myself and recommend to my clients.
Timers
A visual timer that shows time passing as a disappearing red disk, making abstract time feel concrete and manageable. A favorite in our house and with my clients. Great for work blocks, transitions, and anyone who loses track of time easily.
SupportsTime Management · Sustained Attention · Task Initiation
A simple cube-shaped timer with a different time increment on each side. Just flip it to start. No fussing with buttons or settings, which makes it great for kids and adults who want a no-fuss way to time their work blocks.
SupportsTime Management · Sustained Attention · Task Initiation
The classic Pomodoro-style timer that started it all. Work for 25 minutes, take a break, repeat. Simple, tactile, and satisfying to wind up.
SupportsTime Management · Sustained Attention · Task Initiation · Goal-Directed Persistence
Fidgets & Sensory Tools
A classic for a reason. Having something to do with your hands can help some people stay focused and regulated during tasks that require sustained attention.
SupportsSustained Attention · Emotional Regulation · Impulse Control
This is my go-to fidget tool for when I'm on long calls or meetings. It's quiet, slightly spiky, and pretty fun to play with. Variety of colors makes it fun.
SupportsSustained Attention · Emotional Regulation
A satisfying, squishy stress ball that's great for moments when you need to regulate your nervous system before or during a task. Comes in a variety of styles and is hard to put down.
SupportsEmotional Regulation · Sustained Attention
A wonderful tool for winding down, regulating emotions, and giving your brain a break without fully checking out. Great for transitions between work and rest. I particularly like this one because I just need a pen, not a bunch of colored pencils.
SupportsEmotional Regulation · Sustained Attention · Flexible Thinking
When I want to use color, I love Johanna Basford's coloring books, but they're big and the designs are intricate, which can be overwhelming. This one is small with simpler designs. Easy to toss in a bag for waiting rooms, commutes, or anytime you need a quick reset on the go. I keep some colored pencils in a small zippered bag.
SupportsEmotional Regulation · Sustained Attention
Planning & Scheduling
A visual, erasable weekly planner that sticks to your fridge or wall and keeps the whole family's schedule visible at a glance. A great tool for family planning meetings and making time feel real and concrete. Unfortunately, the one my family uses is out of stock.
SupportsTime Management · Planning & Prioritization · Organization · Working Memory
Fine point multicolor markers are a game changer for whiteboards and glass surfaces. Color coding your schedule makes it easier to process at a glance. These write finely for the weekly calendar and the multiple colors work well for color-coding.
SupportsOrganization · Planning & Prioritization · Time Management
An executive function classic. Use them for reminders, breaking down tasks, capturing ideas before they disappear, and making your to-do list visible and moveable. I'm usually a big fan of buying generic for many things, but with sticky notes, I stick (hah) with Post-It for the high quality.
SupportsWorking Memory · Planning & Prioritization · Task Initiation · Organization
Perfect for flagging important pages in notebooks, planners, and textbooks so you can find what you need without digging. Saves time and frustration. I use these when reading and I want to flag a great section.
SupportsOrganization · Working Memory
Notebooks, Pens, & Journaling Supplies
A classic for a reason. Having a dedicated notebook for a specific class, project, or area of your life can make a big difference in feeling organized and on top of things. My personal favorites are by 5-Star, but any brand will suffice.
SupportsOrganization · Working Memory · Planning & Prioritization
Great for people who think visually, like to sketch out ideas, or find lines too restrictive. Also wonderful for mind mapping and brainstorming. I use these notebooks with kids and they're great.
SupportsFlexible Thinking · Planning & Prioritization · Metacognition
The bullet journal classic. A favorite for people who like a little structure without full lines. Great for lists, charts, diagrams, and anyone who likes things to feel organized on the page. The one listed here is a less expensive alternative to the original Leuchtturm1917.
SupportsOrganization · Planning & Prioritization
Four colors in one pen, perfect for color coding notes, calendars, and to-do lists without having to juggle multiple pens.
SupportsOrganization · Planning & Prioritization
The magic of writing in pen with the flexibility of being able to erase. A favorite for planners and anyone who likes things to look neat but knows plans change. Just don't leave your planner out in the sun like I did. All my plans for the week disappeared.
SupportsFlexible Thinking · Planning & Prioritization · Organization
Gentle, dual-tipped highlighters that are easy on the eyes and perfect for color coding notes, textbooks, and planners. A cult favorite for good reason.
SupportsOrganization · Working Memory · Planning & Prioritization
Organization & Never Losing Your Stuff
Attach one to your keys, slip one in your bag, and never spend ten minutes looking for your stuff again. A small but genuinely life-changing tool for anyone who struggles with keeping track of belongings.
SupportsOrganization · Working Memory
If you have a middle schooler heading to a school with lockers for the first time, practicing with a combination lock at home before the first day can save a lot of stress and embarrassment. A small thing that makes a big difference.
SupportsWorking Memory · Flexible Thinking
For the person who always forgets to charge their phone. Keep one in your bag and you'll never be caught with a dead battery again. One less thing to worry about.
SupportsOrganization · Time Management
Sleep aids I rely on
If you've ever noticed that everything feels harder after a bad night's sleep, you're not imagining it. Sleep is one of the most powerful tools we have for supporting executive function, and one of the most overlooked.
Research consistently shows that sleep deprivation directly impacts working memory, emotional regulation, attention, and decision-making, which are essentially the entire list of executive function skills. For neurodivergent brains especially, which are often already working harder than average just to get through the day, poor sleep can make an already challenging situation significantly harder.
The good news is that small changes to your sleep environment can make a real difference. Here are some of my favorites, which I use myself and/or recommend to clients.
Blocking out light is one of the simplest and most effective ways to improve sleep quality. When my sister told me how much her sleep improved with one, I had to try it. Took me a bit to get used to it, but now, I love it. A good eye mask is an easy, low-cost first step for anyone who is sensitive to light, works the night shift and sleeps during the day, or who can't fully control their sleep environment.
SupportsEmotional Regulation · Sustained Attention · Working Memory
Blue light from screens signals to your brain that it's still daytime, making it harder to wind down at night. Amber-lensed glasses filter that light out and can make a noticeable difference in how quickly you fall asleep. Wear them for an hour or two before bed while you're watching TV or scrolling. They may look dorky, but they will make you feel sleepy.
SupportsEmotional Regulation · Task Initiation · Time Management
Designed to reduce noise without blocking it out completely, Loop earplugs are a favorite for people who are sensitive to sound but still want to be aware of their environment. Great for sleep, but also useful during the day for focus and sensory regulation. I've only used the Loop brand myself, but I'm sure other brands are just as good.
SupportsSustained Attention · Emotional Regulation
The gentle, even pressure of a weighted blanket has a calming effect on the nervous system that many people find helpful for both falling asleep and managing anxiety during the day. A worthwhile investment for anyone who struggles to wind down. Both my kids use these and love them.
SupportsEmotional Regulation · Sustained Attention
A consistent background sound can mask disruptive noises and create a sleep environment that feels more controlled and predictable. Finding one that has a brown noise feature is good for focus during the day.
SupportsSustained Attention · Emotional Regulation
Instead of jolting you awake with a loud alarm, a sunrise clock gradually fills your room with light over 20 to 30 minutes, mimicking a natural sunrise. For people who struggle with waking up and getting going in the morning, this can make task initiation feel significantly less brutal. Hatch is the most well-known, but other options are rated well.
SupportsTask Initiation · Time Management · Emotional Regulation
I CO-HOST A NEW PODCAST
Listen
I Think I Can Be Happier is the podcast I co-host with Amy McDuffie, a fellow executive function coach. It's for the person who knows they could be happier but isn't quite sure how to get there. We share stories of people finding their own path, the science behind why happiness is so hard, and tools and strategies that might make things a little easier.
Stories + science for people in progress
LISTEN ON
Read More
In my blog, I write articles and stories about executive function, coaching, and the small shifts that make a real difference. Whether you're a student, an adult, or a parent trying to help, you'll find something useful here.
Want to talk about your situation?
If you have feedback, want to suggest other tools, or something on this page resonated and you're wondering whether coaching could help, I'd love to hear from you.