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ADHD Is My Superpower: Thriving With Executive Function Challenges

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Don’t let the amazing comic book cover fool you—this is not a comic book or graphic novel! ADHD Is My Superpower is a comprehensive guide that empowers individuals with ADHD to transform their unique traits into strengths. Dr. Bryan Pearlman, who personally knows the ups and downs of living with ADHD, reframes ADHD not as a deficit, but as a collection of superpowers that can drive success in school, work, relationships, and personal growth. This book is packed with real-life strategies for managing executive function challenges and embracing ADHD’s gifts like creativity, hyperfocus, and resilience.

Dr. Pearlman’s journey through the 70s and 80s—an era with little understanding of ADHD—provides a relatable foundation for anyone struggling with focus, impulsivity, or hyperactivity. The book offers actionable tools for those who want to harness their ADHD to achieve their full potential. By exploring the neurological roots of ADHD and its overlap with anxiety, depression, and trauma, this guide not only demystifies the condition but also delivers practical steps for thriving in every aspect of life.

This book is essential reading for anyone with ADHD, as well as parents, educators, and professionals who support them. Whether you’re learning to manage time better, improve relationships, or boost self-esteem, ADHD Is My Superpower shows how to use your unique brain wiring as a strength, not a setback.

Highlights of the Practical strategies to turn ADHD challenges into strengthsA fresh perspective on ADHD as a superpower rather than a deficitInsights into how ADHD affects different life stages, from childhood to adulthoodTools for time management, routine building, and focus improvementReal-life success stories of people thriving with ADHDUnderstanding ADHD’s overlap with anxiety, depression, and traumaTechniques for building confidence and challenging negative thoughtsTips for supporting a child or partner with ADHDCreative approaches for fostering strong relationships and effective communicationHolistic approaches including diet, exercise, and natural remediesWhy you should read this Learn to embrace ADHD as a superpower and unleash your full potentialGain practical tools to improve focus, organization, and time managementUnderstand the neurological basis of ADHD and its impact on everyday lifeBoost your self-esteem and reframe negative thoughts about ADHDDiscover strategies to reduce overwhelm and juggle multiple thoughtsGet support for thriving in work, school, and personal relationshipsAccess effective methods for managing impulsivity and hyperactivityRead inspiring stories of people who have turned their ADHD into a strengthLearn how to navigate the challenges of ADHD with compassion and resilienceFind out how diet, exercise, and holistic remedies can support ADHD managementAbout The
Dr. Bryan Pearlman is a veteran educator & administrator, a mental health therapist, keynote speaker, and adjunct professor. He is the author of four other “Ramping Striving To Be Your Best Self”, “From Struggles To A Handbook For Parents & Educators", “Maslow Before Basic Human Needs Before Academics" and “Whatever It Takes For All Students To Succeed In School and Life". Dr.

610 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2024

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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
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1 review
October 1, 2024
I was looking for a new book to read, and rather than get involved in a mystery or another Ken Follet book, I came across “ADHD Is My Superpower: Thriving With Executive Function Challenges” by Dr. Bryan Pearlman.  I knew very little about ADHD, so thought this might be an opportunity to learn something new.

 

Dr. Pearlman’s book is an Excellent read!  Certainly it contains a very involved and detailed discussion about the many forms of ADHD and the challenge to properly diagnose an individual’s condition.  The author points out ADHD is a condition in which an individual’s brain is wired differently than folks without ADHD.  This difference is not to be feared, in fact, Dr. Pearlman provides a detailed plan that can be created for the ADHD person to turn this difference into a superpower. 

 

Throughout the book, Dr. Pearlman details how individuals can and have learned to embrace their ADHD and use it as a catalyst for success.  While in school the symptoms and ADHD person may get lost in thought or become fixated on something, with the right guidelines, support, effort, this can be turned in to an ability to hyperfocus on a situation, dive deep into projects, and often produce creative and innovative results.

 

The book continues to show examples how being wired different can indeed be turned into an asset. 

 

This was an excellent book, first of this subject for me, and I left feeling much more knowledgeable on the subject of ADHD.
1 review
October 14, 2024
As a 35-year-old woman juggling ADHD, being a full-time student, and a single mom to an 8-year-old child with autism and ADHD, ADHD Is My Superpower by Dr. Bryan Pearlman felt like someone finally saw me. This book speaks directly to the experience of living with ADHD, but what I loved most was how it reframed ADHD as a superpower rather than something to "fix."

One example that hit home was when Dr. Pearlman talks about hyperfocus as a gift rather than a flaw. He describes how, while it can be a struggle in a structured classroom or workplace, it can also lead to creativity and productivity. I found myself nodding along—especially on the days when I lose track of time studying for my speech therapy courses but manage to get so much done!

Another section that really resonated was his discussion of empathy. Dr. Pearlman shares how ADHD can make us more emotionally sensitive, which many see as a challenge, but it actually helps us connect more deeply with others. As a mom to a neurodivergent child, I could relate to this on a deep level. My child often faces difficulties in understanding emotions, and I feel like this sensitivity is a strength that allows me to support him better.

If you're someone who lives with ADHD or supports someone who does, this book is worth reading. It’s a refreshing, empowering perspective that celebrates our quirks instead of trying to “correct” them. It’s exactly what I needed to hear right now.
1 review
November 28, 2024
With experience as a paraeducator in the public school system as well as a parent of a child with ADHD, I found this book to be an excellent read for providing practical approaches to supporting children with ADHD. As a future Speech-Language clinician, I will use this as a reference tool for my practice. The tone of the writing is accessible and makes it insightful for educators as well as individuals with ADHD or their families.

In a world where we are so quick to label and define children by their challenges, I appreciate Dr. Pearlman’s reframing of the narrative. Though his writing addresses some of the challenges faced by individuals with ADHD, Dr. Pearlman shifts the mindset to highlighting strengths and how individuals can embrace their differences in the way their minds work and empower them to overcome obstacles and achieve success.

On a personal note, Chapter 26: Challenging Negative Thoughts: Cognitive Behavioral Techniques, really resonated with me. My son struggles with the concepts Dr. Pearlman mentions such as overgeneralizing and catastrophizing situations. I found his approach to cognitive restructuring and implementing behavioral techniques to be hopeful in discussions with my own son. We will be discussing many of these concepts together.

I have already recommended this book to faculty at my school and feel that it provides invaluable guidance for those who love children with ADHD!
1 review
October 25, 2024
Dr. Bryan Pearlman has written an amazing book, covering what he has learned over the years of fighting with ADHD. Pearlman has recognized this as a strength, rather than weakness. Specifically, I found Chapter 32 an amazing resource. In my third year as a future teacher, I plan on using what I have read from Pearlmans book within my classroom. I believe his suggestions will make day to day life easier for students, especially those with ADHD. In total, there are fourteen strategies to use for students with ADHD in the classroom, I think every teacher and student could benefit from at least one, if not more, of his suggestions

ADHD Is My Superpower: Thriving With Executive Function Challenges
2 reviews
April 10, 2025
When I began reading this book, I had no idea how much I would learn about ADHD. Dr. Bryan Pearlman excels in providing a comprehensive explanation of ADHD, covering its impact in various contexts, such as education and the workplace. Additionally, the book includes reflective questions at the end of each chapter, encouraging readers to consider how ADHD may affect them personally. The content is thorough yet accessible, making it easy to engage with. I intend to use this book as a valuable reference throughout my teaching career, and I highly recommend it to professionals and emerging professionals in other fields as well. As someone who doesn't have ADHD, this book provided me several useful tips that clued me into how people with ADHD process information. Since I'm studying to be a teacher, I understand how best to help students with ADHD to learn and utilize new information.



2 reviews
April 19, 2025
As a future educator, and someone who has lived with and around people with ADHD, this book, by Dr. Pearlman, helped to place me into the shoes of someone with ADHD. Before reading this book, I can't say that I had a complete understanding of ADHD, even though I had been around it for my entire life. I think the reason that this book is so effective is because it is written from the perspective of someone who has ADHD and understands its various facets. I would highly recommend this to anyone who has ADHD and, as in my case, anyone who will have the opportunity to work with people who have ADHD. As the book explains, ADHD is not something to be ashamed of or viewed as a weakness. The book is about 500 pages, but it flies by with easy to understand language and a really engaging writing style. I had read the book in about a week, and by the end I felt like I finally understood ADHD as someone who had only seen glimpses of it from the outside. Very much recommended!
1 review
October 10, 2024
First, HOLY SMOKES! The intro draws you in....Second as someone who works with students online with medical, social/emotional & learning challenges and disabilites-this book is so informative and practical. I also appreaciate the specific titles of the Table of Contents. I can look for a specific topic and read "around" the book! It's been eye opening. More importantly, it's not full of jargon or buzzwords!! I can easily see recommending this to parents & saying, "read the intro, then Chapter . Just awesome!
1 review
October 14, 2024
When I started reading this book, I had no idea how much information I was going to otain about ADHD. Dr. Bryan Pearlmn does a great job at explaining what ADHD is, to how we can manage it in different situations such as school or the workplace, and procides reflection questions at the end of each chaper foryou to process your own ADHD too. This book is very detailed, but not challenging to read at all. I plan to use this book as a future reference within the feild of teaching and I hope others choose to do the same within their own professionl feilds.
2 reviews
October 22, 2024
After reading "Ramping Up: Striving to be Your Best Self," I was very excited to give "ADHD Is My Superpower" a read through. After reading it, I can confidently say that I understand ADHD a lot better. While I have never been diagnosed with ADHD and cannot relate to that struggle, it was extremely interesting to see how people can use their diagnosis in order to thrive in their life! I could not recommend this book more. Whether you relate to the diagnosis, or you just want to learn more about it, this book is for you!
1 review
October 25, 2024
Wow! As someone in college to become a teacher, I thought I knew about ADHD through my experiences with students in my classroom. Dr. Pearlman proved me wrong! I have learned so much by reading this book and it has truly shown me an insight into the mind of someone with ADHD. I especially appreciated chapter 32 because Pearlman gives great advice on how to use specific strategies to help students with ADHD thrive in the classroom. This book is a must-read if you are looking to learn more about ADHD. I love how he speaks of it as a strength and an ally!
2 reviews
September 30, 2024
I was asked to read a draft of ADHD Is My Superpower: Thriving With Executive Function Challenges. This book is excellent! It is very easy to read and has many strategies and suggestions on how to make ADHD an asset rather than a negative. This can be used by adults, couples, parents, teachers, employers - just about anybody. I strongly recommend that you read this great book by Dr. Bryan Pearlman.
1 review
October 12, 2024
This book has to be the best that Dr. Pearlman had wrote. It gives great insight from an adhd who has battled/has adhd and how to take the negative and make it a positive. It tells of the neuroscience behind adhd diagnosis as well as informs on how to view from a superpower stand point. It’s very informative and written for all to understand.
1 review
December 4, 2024
Wow, Dr. Pearlman has definitely outdone himself with this read! This book opened my eyes to see ADHD in such a different way while it empowers readers to see ADHD not as a weakness but as a strength, bringing a unique perspective. Overall, this book is such an inspiring and practical guide for anyone looking to understand and support children with ADHD.
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2 reviews
April 14, 2025
This book is an empowering, insightful guide that helps readers better understand ADHD and the executive function challenges that often come with it. What stands out is the book’s optimistic tone and the focus on self-acceptance. This is an excellent resource for anyone looking to embrace neurodiversity and unlock their full potential!
1 review
December 5, 2024
This book has a very positive tone and it can instill confidence in young readers while also proving parents/guardians and teachers will helpful tools. It is a wonderful resource for future and current educators!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews