A+ Gems - September, 2026 Edition
Dear A+ Community,
"Did the chairs I so lovingly arranged ever sink beneath the weight of a wealthy, silk-clad bottom? No, they sank beneath the North Atlantic, but that's hardly the point. The point is, I did my duty to the best of my ability and froze to death with a satisfied heart."
That quote is from a hillarious and inspiring online essay, titled, "I Was in Charge of the Deck Chairs on the Titanic, and They Absolutely Did Need Rearranging." Read it here.
I've had a lot of conversations lately with patients who are struggling to find meaning in the small stuff when the big picture feels so overwhelming. The world feels very overwhelming, and it’s hard to know what really matters. I catching myself using the phrase, “It’s like rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic” a lot these days. And yet, the more I reflect, the more I realize the author was on to something. Maybe the chairs do matter.
As we head into the fall, let’s give ourselves collective permission to enjoy rearranging those deck chairs!
As always, a heartfelt thank-you to my patients and colleagues who share your insights, tools, and humor. Below is a collection of tips, tricks, resources that others have found helpful. Feel free to forward along.
Books - I included the Amazon link for simplicity, though I encourage you to also check your library and around for other vendors, if you’re so inclined.
"What to Say Next" by Sarah & Larry Nannery — A practical, warm communication guide written by a professional woman with ASD and her neurotypical husband. Invaluable for anyone on the spectrum navigating work, relationships, and everyday social situations — and equally useful for the people who love them. Find it here
"Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" by Yuval Noah Harari — The landmark #1 New York Times bestseller that reframes everything you thought you knew about what it means to be human. For the big-picture thinkers among us — especially those lying awake wondering how we got here. Find it here
"Building a Non-Anxious Life" by Dr. John Delony — A research-backed, deeply personal roadmap for understanding where anxiety comes from and the six daily choices that can help you build your way out of it. Find it here
"What My Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing from Complex Trauma" by Stephanie Foo — An award-winning radio producer's unflinching account of being diagnosed with C-PTSD and the remarkable journey to understand and heal it. Beautifully written, thoroughly researched, and genuinely hopeful. Find it here
"Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life" by Anne Lamott — A quarter-century classic about creativity, process, and not being paralyzed by the enormity of any task. Deeply relevant to ADHD brains. The title alone is the whole therapy session. Find it here
"I Didn't Do the Thing Today" by Madeleine Dore — (This is where I originally found the Titanic essay I referenced above.) The permission slip we all need. A gentle, wise antidote to the relentless pressure to do more, be more, achieve more. Pairs beautifully with the deck chair essay above. Find it here
Tools & Apps
Focus Friend — A cozy focus timer app where your Bean Friend works alongside you. When you focus, your Bean focuses. Complete sessions to earn prizes and decorations. Delightful, low-pressure, and surprisingly effective for task initiation.
Reading Relief / Developing Readers Academy — Built specifically for ADHD kids who've been told to "just read more" — which, as it turns out, doesn't work and can actively backfire. This program flips the script: creating the conditions for learning before teaching the skills. Also includes The Calm Switch — a choose-your-own-adventure style tool for kids who are dysregulated around homework. Genuinely innovative.
Videos & Channels
Black Swan Group — Negotiation Techniques — Chris Voss, former FBI Lead Kidnapping Negotiator and author of Never Split the Difference, shares tactical empathy-based negotiation skills that are wildly applicable to everyday life. Useful for, say, getting your kid to put on shoes or advocating for yourself at a doctor's appointment.
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.
Community Gem: Mychal Threets — Librarian, PBS children's TV host, literacy advocate, and one of the most joyful humans on the internet. Look him up. Follow him. Let him remind you why books and libraries matter. Search "Mychal Threets library joy" anywhere and prepare to smile.
CHADD Virtual Adult ADHD Lunch Bunch
Coming up — don't miss these!
Thursday, September 24, 2026 @ 12:00 PM ET
Thursday, October 29, 2026 @ 12:00 PM ET
Join our Virtual Adult ADHD Lunch Bunch — a casual, friendly online meetup where we share strategies, swap stories, and celebrate small wins together. You don't have to be a CHADD member (or even in Ohio!) to join. Bring your coffee, your chaos, and your curiosity.
Thank you for being part of this incredible community. Stay curious, stay kind, and this fall — tend your corner of the deck with a satisfied heart.
Have an A+ Day!
Jess Levy, MD
