Why Stuff Meant For Kids Actually Works For Adults with ADHD

When we think about stuff useful for adults with ADHD, we always think about fidgets, bujos, and sticker charts. What about... kids toys?? So lets ask ourselves why stuff meant for kids actually works for adults with ADHD.

EDIT: We did hand over the things we didn't want anymore to an employee! We just didn't show it! 😂 Though it's sweet that so many of you were concerned about that!! 🧡

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The stuff I bought on Amazon -

TARGET LINKS:

AMAZON AFFILIATE LINKS:
GoGo squeeZ Fruit & Veggies, Apple Carrot Mixed Berry, 3.2 Ounce (4 Pouches) -
GoGo squeeZ fruit & veggieZ, Speedy Strawberry, 3.2 oz. (4 Pouches) -
Disney Princess Ultimate Sticker Collection Paperback – Sticker Book -
Firefly Light-Up Timer Kids Toothbrush with Suction Cup, Soft - 2 Count -
Buffalo Games - Once Upon A Time - 1000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle Multicolor -

Disclaimer: Purchases made through store links may provide some compensation to How to ADHD.
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[theletters]

The way I explain it to my mom is that having ADHD is like trying to parent a five year old but you are also the five year old, so you just get things that make things easier for the five year old part of the brain so that the parent part of the brain can get things like cooking and cleaning and work done

[SheenaSpeaks]

A LOT of us with ADHD have had a good bit of childhood trauma.
Forced to grow up early, or judged unfairly for being "too childish" when we are actually just "child-LIKE".
Embracing the parts of us that are, functionally, still children, and nurturing that piece of you is always a good thing.
Go climb a tree!
Go play on a playground, or go to the zoo, or the kids science museum.
It is good for your soul!
PICK SOMETHING!
Something you haven't done since you were a kid, or always wanted to do as a kid, and just fucking do it!
In addition to all the obvious psychological ways it can help, it is just good for your soul.

[SharmClucas]

I love how our parents raised us when it came to ADHD. My mom has ADHD and knew her kids would probably inherit it before we came along, so we grew up knowing our diagnosis before we were even officially diagnosed. We always had loads of fidget toys, puzzles, quiet books for times where we had to be less rowdy, no one was ever pressured to be age appropriate with toys or books, and finding something that helped was celebrated. This continued as adults and was passed on to the new generation. My nieces and nephews got me addicted to the Gerald and Piggy books. I'm in my forties, they're meant for five year olds, and I have no shame about it. A good book is a good book. I always feel so lucky to have my family who are just amazingly supportive of each other. I think having such a strong family support is what allowed us to be so blasé about it when the rest of the world doesn't understand us. I would love to help everyone destigmatize this sort of thing, really glad you have this video.

[desslou]

I love that you're normalizing buying "kid" stuff as an adult. My husband makes fun of my cute bandaids and sticker collection "problem", but I don't see why we shouldn't buy things that make us happy if we can afford it and it doesn't hurt anyone. I love fidget tools, creative projects/art supplies, and comfort items like stuffed animals. So what if my water bottle has Disney characters? At least I am drinking water!

[alittlepieceofearth]

"I tend to like things that are smaller because they are less overwhelming."
I hear you, girl. I'm right there with you.

[anisa]

I love this, there's no need for us to be ashamed of using things that are meant for 'kids', if it makes our lives easier and more fun, why not?

[Trainmate]

I love your "reality check" on the items you put in your basket at the end! I do this a lot when I go shopping because it helps me manage my impulsivity and I can reflect on whether I really need the items as I walk around, but some people I shop with get annoyed when I walk around with an item for the entire trip and then decide I don't want it. It also helps me save money and makes me feel less guilty later on about unnecessary spending.

[DocRyder]

I’m nearly 60 years old, and I read comic books, do LEGO sets, and play Dungeons & Dragons. Now, most of this stuff is cool, but for decades, it’s been frowned upon as “immature.” I realize now that most of these hobbies are things I’ve stuck with because for me, they are either ADHD-friendly or promote my executive functioning by learning new ways to get things done. Well, and their all very imaginative, and I love using my creativity! 😊

[morganhough]

I’m an adult with ADHD and a nurse working on my masters degree. I recently had a day where I was melting down because I just absolutely could not focus on my paper that was due in just a few hours. I walked around a store, bought myself a giant sketch pad, pack of markers, and a koosh ball - and I took those with me and got the paper done ✅

[unicornlover]

As someone who's passionate about children's media and how we connect to it, I really appreciate that the ADHD community aren't ashamed of liking children's products!

Here's some advice though: don't take 8 - 13 age range books lightly. Some of them can be *very* hard-hitting or depressing, so try not to dismiss them as "easy reading" just because the text is easy to read.

[loxley]

This really strikes a chord with me . I’m nearly 50 n a few years and I look around and see my ‘peers’ with all these mature ‘adult’ hobbies and I’m still into the same stuff I liked when I was a teenager. Comics, table top games, models, geek stuff! I think I must be immature but it just makes my brain happy, I like it! Life is tough with ADHD, hell my job is tough and I don’t want to have to feel ashamed that my interests are still, well, what I was into when I was a kid!

[WindspielArt]

Last Month I bought a book about local myths and legends clearly made for kids -but I loved it! The illustrations are cute and pretty, the stories are short enough for me to read one or two without getting overwhelmed or bored and the creepier stories are written in a way that wont disturb me xD 10/10 would recommend!

[tymondabrowski]

Young adults/teenagers/older kids stories often have more adventures, less stupid drama, and make more sense, especially character's actions. Story comes from the world around, not from characters not able to grow up like grownups should and talk to each other, or just doing something completely illogical for plot reasons.

[watercolourAlto]

When I'm overwhelmed or anxious by a topic, I've found that sometimes looking at explanations of the topic intended for children help me a lot. Obviously no one likes feeling like they're being talked down to, but when it comes to explanations, I actively encourage people explaining things to me like I'm a child sometimes because it can help me understand so much.

[deawinter]

I personally found that a lot of “adult” fiction served a different purpose than why I was reading. I still read as an escape, a chance to go somewhere else in my imagination for a while. Adult fiction often takes itself so seriously, and I’m often not looking for that.

Man, I gotta go get some of those journaling activities from target, tho. They look fun enough I might actually do them.

[TangentialTif]

I’m in my 40s and have ADHD and I just started reading through the Percy Jackson books. They are targeted at middle schoolers but I still think they are great for adults too.

I forgot to mention the Percy and many of his friends also have ADHD.

[Welcometotherox]

Re: cookbooks, I really recommend the books by the amazing British anti-poverty campaigner, Jack Monroe. She is AuDHD and has written her books with really clear and accessible language and specific explanations. Her recipes are also pocket-friendly.

[musickf]

My friend does that exact same thing at each shopping trip we take. She goes around and picks out things throughout the store, and then at the end she sits the cart down and takes out the stuff she doesn't want. I didn't know this was an ADHD thing, and it feels so good to realize that, now. I understand her better without feeling like a burden for asking. Thank you! I also have issues with cooking and your idea of using kids cookbooks is intriguing to me. My mom gave me a few "simple recipe" books long ago and I read them once. It was still too much. I may check that aisle out for both cooking and reading. I so wish I could read for pleasure.

[DjurslandsEfterskole]

This is one of the genuine moments of seeing representation I didn't know I needed

You shop exactly the way I do! I genuinely think my shopping choices make absolute sense, and I don't really understand when other people occasionally note them as unusual. Like, why wouldn't I want this super rad fidget thing? How do other people shop?

But, in the same breath, watching this video makes me realize that, even though I think my behaviour makes complete logical sense, I've actually never seen someone else behave like me.

Thank you! It's really nice to get to see someone like me 🙂

Many times in my life, when people've been perplexed by my behaviour - small things, like how I sit on a chair - I've first been like.. But, my behaviour makes sense? Besides social pressure, why aren't you behaving like this?

And then I've been wondering - Do they see or know something I don't? Does this look different from the outside than what it feels like from the inside? Would I be weirded out if I saw someone behave like that? And then I realize that I don't actually know what it looks like from the outside, cause I've only experienced me doing it. It's so weird. So then I try to imagine what it'd look like and what I might feel in that situation, and try to understand what it must be like for others to experience from the outside, whilst trying to come up with answers for why no-one else is behaving this way, when it makes so much sense?!

I've spent so much time on that mental assignment

Actually being allowed to experience it from the outside is really refreshing. Then I don't have to imagine anymore.

And my conclusion is that, even from the outside, I think everything you did makes complete sense. I don't think it's weird, and I'm perplexed that I haven't seen others do it.

In general, it's really odd to me that other adults stop doing things that are fun just cause they're adults. Why rob yourself of fun? Interesting to hear that it appears to be a executive function thing

Thank you ❤

[kakeruk]

Thank so much for this! It’s so validating! I used to really enjoy the book “7 habits for highly effective teens” when I was younger but now that I’m much older I felt I need to upgrade to the “7 habits for highly effective people” but it was so hard to get into reading it. I walked by the teen one many times at my local store debating if I should get it again and give it another read but I felt too guilty now that I’m an adult . But after watching this video and making the connection as someone with ADHD I am going to get it now😊 thank you!