ADHD in Children’s Literature

[StudentTeacher]

Hello,

I’m wondering if someone might be able to help me. I’m a final year student writing my dissertation about ADHD representations in children’s literature and how it may help/hinder teaching practices. I wondered if there were any parents or teachers out there who might be able to recommend a book which they thought was helpful or not in terms of representing/advocating ADHD and informing which resulted in greater understanding and provision in the classroom.

The books I have considered so far are:
the Someday Birds
Focused
Percy Jackson
Joey Pigza
The Ethan I was Before

This is a huge ask but if anyone has any helpful suggestions I’d really appreciate it!! X

Not directly but I've several times been told Lewis Carroll had adhd.

The Mysterious Benedict Society has a number of "exceptional children" who are gathered to save the world. Each has their own exceptionality and whilst no diagnoses are made or given, one Character's exceptionality is physicality and impulsiveness. It's doubly nice that she is a girl (Kate).

Have a look at Elle McNicholl. I'm not certain on ADHD, but her characters are neurodiverse so A Kind of Spark the protagonist is autistic, Like a Charm, dyspraxic. They're excellent and she calls out potentially harmful teacher behaviour!

Dav Pilkey is open about having ADHD and how he wrote the Captain Underpants story for children like he was. His characters are heroes who always struggle to concentrate in school and get in trouble. The comic-book spin-off Dog Man even has a character called 80-HD!

Hank Zipzer - allegedly ‘just’ dyslexic but I would say ADHD…

THANK YOU!!!! Xxx

These suggestions are absolutely what I was hoping for - thank you all for contributing - most examples I have found are American and male so I was hoping find female examples and examples from across the globe so you

The character Harriet The Spy is clearly neurodivergent. I've always leaned towards ASD rather than ADHD but it could easily be both.

I am not completely sure if this helps your dissertation, but I am pretty sure that the behaviour of the main character in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer would nowadays be pathologised and probably medicalised. In my opinion, it shows how the spectrum of what is considered neurotypical or neurodiverse is not solely dictated by medical research but by societal rules/views.

Not a book, but on Spotify there is a story called Hector’s Exploding Head, which illustrates ADHD from the perspective of a tween aged boy.

Have a look at the Turbulent Term of Tyke Tyler by Gene Kemp. It’s not explicit but I think it’s there. Main character is actually female (though that’s not stated til the end of the book), so you see a lot of “naughty boy” behaviour, through a slightly different lens at the end.

Anne of Green Gables strikes me as ADHD of the impulsive chatterbox daydreamer type that I associate with girls with ADHD.

I was about to say Anne of Green Gables.
The newer TV adaptation kind of made it seem that she definitely was.

New Sunday times bestseller for kids - “Ady and me” by Rich and Rox Pink

We love Mrs Gorski, I think I have the wiggle fidgets. It's all about a child who thinks they are naughty and the teacher doesn't like them but discovers ADHD is like a superpower and (spoiler) the dad and teacher both have it too.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Think-Have-Wiggle-Fidgets-Overcoming/

These are all such fantastic suggestions - thank you all for your insights and time! Its really great to hear there is actually a body of literature (Even spotify!) there that can represent positively. I'm really interested to hear about the negative reactions of teachers as that is really a key focus as I was concerned what I have found bred into the stereotype - I'm so grateful for the breadth you have all highlighted as well! It shows how society has and hasn't recognised and changed to ND. You're all brilliant thank you! This is a massive help xxx

I wonder whether the Just William books would fit in this category but obviously his character is not really seen through that lens.

Anne of Green Gables

Tigger in Winnie the Pooh seemed to me, to represent ADHD?

I always wondered if changelings in fairy stories were really children on the autistic spectrum?

I haven't read A of GG - I will look into that thank you! Tigger -- very possibly! x

I was going to say him. I was also kind of thinking of the kid in my class who was Just William for world book day, but we didn’t know that much about adhd then either sadly.

I may be way off as I haven't read them - but does anyone have any thoughts on Harry Potter possibly fitting this?

Tigger in Winnie the Pooh seemed to me, to represent ADHD?

This made me laugh! But yes, maybe.

And yes to the changeling point too.

Honestly, no. Without tenuous links, I don't think you could argue it.

I'm unsure about Anne of Green Gables too, I think her behaviour is linked to early trauma.

Toad in The Wind in the Willows!

Harry’s not really represented in a way that fits with ADHD, no. Ron perhaps, but it’s IMO rather a minefield trying to “diagnose” fictional characters who aren’t explicitly intended as representative of neurodivergence (for one thing, they’re not real people!)

Different if they are explicitly introduced as having neurodivergent characteristics.