A+ Gems: March, 2026 Edition
Dear A+ Community,
Welcome to another round of A+ Gems: A curated list of resources, tips, tricks, and tools, shared by my patients and colleagues, related to mental health, ADHD, and better living..
🌱 FINALLY! Spring is in the air. If you've ever watched a garden wake up after a long winter, you know that the most dramatic transformations don't announce themselves in advance. In many ways, the transition from winter to spring is like good mental health treatment: It’s a slow, bumpy process with ups and downs. There are sunny days that almost feel like summer, only to be followed inexplicably by days when we are back under a blanket of snow. But, slowly and steadily, the transformation happens, and one day you look around and see something green and insistent on pushing through the barren ground. Whether you're emerging from a slow season or already in full bloom, this community continues to inspire me with your resilience, your curiosity, and your willingness to grow.
As always, a heartfelt thank-you to my patients and colleagues who share your insights, tools, and humor.
🌟 Special Guest Contributor: Dr. Sue Levy
This month's guest contributor is Dr. Sue Levy — and yes, if the last name sounds familiar, that's because she happens to be my mother. Dr. Levy brings decades of experience in child and adolescent psychiatry. She'll be the first to tell you that she learned just as much, if not more, about ADHD from raising me as she did from any textbook. An avid and wide-ranging reader, she's curated a list of books and resources that reflect her love of storytelling, visual thinking, and the beautifully complicated human mind.
📚 Dr. Sue Levy's Recommended Reads
"Weekends at Bellevue" by Julie Holland, MD — A gripping memoir from nine years on the night shift in NYC's legendary psychiatric ER. Alternately wild, poignant, and deeply human — a must-read for anyone curious about the inner world of psychiatry. Find it here
"The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" by Mark Haddon — A beloved, award-winning novel narrated by a brilliant teenager who sees the world differently. A masterclass in perspective-taking and one of the most quietly radical books about neurodivergence ever written. Find it here
"Visual Thinking: The Hidden Gifts of People Who Think in Pictures, Patterns, and Abstractions" by Temple Grandin, PhD — A landmark New York Times bestseller that celebrates the diverse ways human minds are wired — and makes a passionate case for why the world needs visual thinkers now more than ever. Find it here
🎤 Bonus: Don't miss Temple Grandin's iconic TED Talk, "The World Needs All Kinds of Minds" — Watch here
🌟 Famous People with ADHD — Sometimes you just need a reminder that you're in good company. ADDitude Magazine's inspiring slideshow of high-achievers with ADHD is worth a bookmark. Check it out here
🛠️ Tools & Apps
Lumenate App — A strobe light meditation app that uses rhythmic light pulses to induce deeply relaxed, trance-like states. Genuinely unlike anything else out there for nervous system regulation and introspective exploration.
⚠️ IMPORTANT SAFETY DISCLAIMER: Lumenate is NOT safe for anyone with photosensitivity, a history of seizures, epilepsy, or any condition that may be triggered by flashing or strobing lights. Please consult your physician before use. Do not use while driving or operating machinery.
Endel — AI-generated soundscapes personalized to your activity, time of day, and nervous system state. Whether you need deep focus, wind-down, or sleep support, Endel adapts in real time. Well worth exploring. Specifically worth calling out: Sleep Mode. These sleep-focused soundscapes are genuinely effective for those of us whose brains don't exactly have an "off switch" at bedtime.
🎙️ Podcasts
The Last Invention — A thought-provoking podcast exploring artificial intelligence, its trajectory, and what it means for all of us. Recommended for the curious and the slightly anxious alike.
📺 Videos & Channel
Clutterbug on YouTube — Cas Clutterbug's channel is a gem for anyone who has ever stared at a messy space and felt paralyzed. Her organizing philosophy is neurodivergent-friendly, judgment-free, and genuinely practical. Highly recommended rabbit hole.
🌐 Articles & Online Resources
Huberman Lab: Tools to Manage Dopamine and Improve Motivation — Dr. Andrew Huberman breaks down the neuroscience of dopamine in accessible, actionable terms. Especially relevant for the ADHD brain, which is really a dopamine regulation story at its core.
Your Marriage Has a Third — on Phones and Relationships — A compelling read on how smartphones are quietly reshaping our closest relationships. Worth the time, especially if you've ever found yourself mid-conversation with your phone face-up on the table.
📚 Books
"Sincerely, Your Autistic Child" edited by Emily Paige Ballou & Sharon daVanport (Autistic Women and Nonbinary Network) — A powerful collection of essays written by autistic people, for the families, educators, and clinicians who love them. Essential reading for anyone working with or raising autistic children. Find it on Amazon
"Living Well with Adult ADHD" by Laura E. Knouse & Russell Barkley — A practical, evidence-based guide to building the daily life skills that ADHD tends to complicate. Barkley is one of the foremost researchers in the field, and this book reflects that rigor without losing its accessibility. (Note: Dr. Barkley recently presented at CHADD's national conference — his work continues to shape the field.). Amazon Link
Again, THANK YOU for being part of this amazing community. Stay curious, stay kind, and keep growing. 🌱
Have an A+ Day!
Jess Levy, MD
