My top 5 gadgets ADHD - and why I recommend them.

I get really, REALLY frustrated when another product is advertised as a ‘miracle for ADHD’ - as you know (if you listen to the podcast or follow me online) I am NOT a fan of ‘ADHD washing’… it’s lazy, it targets people looking for genuine help and often it’s a ‘regular’ product with a new label.

At the same time, there are lots of gadgets that are genuinely helpful and these are the ones I recommend below. Of course, there are hundreds of brands but these are ones we’ve used (personally or in my immediate family) so I know that they are worth looking at more closely.

I want to make it clear that each of these links is an affiliate one and I get a tiny percentage of any purchase you make.

It does not cost you any extra and is a way for me to top up the costs of running the podcast and other free materials.

My top 5 gadgets

1. Noise Cancelling wireless headphones

2. Time timer (0r visual timer)

3. Dawn and Dusk alarm clock

4. Vitamin organiser

5. Whiteboard and magnetic whiteboard labels and pens

You can see that these are not labelled as specific for ADHD - anyone can use them and I think you’ll be able to find options at different prices.

These are the ones that we’ve tried and found reliable and last a LONG time even with our particular brand of chaos.

Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones

Some people use the ‘in ear’ ones and when I’m on calls I use my AirPods BUT I find that they are sometimes far too much in sensory terms and I get more disregulated as the day goes on.

Over the ear headphones can be wonderful - but with large ears and a hair trigger sensitivity to pressure and texture, it’s been tricky to find ones that work.

These headphones by Sony are the dream team: like a gentle cloud on your ears; cope with larger heads/ears; last a long time and exclude background noise better than my old Parrok Zik. You can get them in this lovely soft warm silver colour which is extra calming.

Time Timer - or other visual timer

I am always using this in sessions, work sprints, preparing dinner, waiting to leave for appointments, helping the teen to get ready for school - you get the idea.

Time is one area that MOST people with ADHD are going to find challenging, even with smart watches and alarms. For many, that is made a lot easier when we can SEE time going past. Enter the Time Timer.

You can watch the time selected get smaller as time passes and your time left gets shorter - and that makes it so much easier to be prepared to shift tasks, to leave, to know when it’s actually time up.

Yes, there are cheaper ones around but they often have noisy ‘ticking’ or jump-scare alarms, so we stick with the OG.

Dawn and Dusk Alarm Clock

Many of us struggle with going to sleep - as well as waking up - and this has been my number one winning gadget for many years.

The model is not the same as mine which is now at least 15 years old (!) but it has the same functions. The slowly dimming and growing light helps me to remember I am ready to sleep and in the dark mornings, provides a gentle way to emerge from the night even if it’s still deep black outside.

There are many options to choose from but one with built-in white noise and non-blaring alarms is very helpful for those who need a bit of ‘nervous system’ support.

Vitamin Organiser

There are two options here - one has individual boxes for morning and evening supplements, one has individual boxes for morning, daytime and evening supplements.

I have found that the habit of setting the week up on Sunday night so that the ‘have I taken my meds? when did I last take my vitamins?’ question is one that you can leave behind.

Yes, it still means you have to take them in the morning but I’ve found by putting them next to my kettle or coffee machine, it’s very, very rare for me to miss them. There are other high tech options available but I like to keep things as simple as possible.

Magnetic Whiteboard, Labels and Pens

I am a visual person and sometimes, just having things on paper or even on the computer screen isn’t enough. When I added a whiteboard to my planning and organisation, I had a full wall (almost) of space to draw, map things out on and plan.

The problem was that it really quickly began to feel messy and disorganised. I began avoiding it because I had to rub things out and start again…

Enter the large, 6x4 magnetic, wipe-off labels for the whiteboard. Now I use these as my ‘sticky notes’ that I can move from ‘the void’ (where I’m keeping ideas for the future), ‘planning’ (actively getting things ready) and ‘action’ (things I’m doing right now). I have a separate space to scribble notes on and most of all, it never feels overwhelming.