Apps to help teens with ADHD manage everyday challenges
Expert reviewed by Jamie Martin
Apps can be great tools for teens with ADHD. Even if an app isn’t specifically designed with ADHD in mind, it may still help your child manage everyday challenges. Check out these apps.
Prices and availability may vary but were accurate when updated on November 8, 2021. Understood does not endorse or receive financial compensation for the sale of any of these products.
Homey Chores and Allowance
Giving chores to kids with ADHD can boost their self-esteem and organization skills. But keeping track of household tasks and allowance can be tough for kids with attention issues. Homey Chores and Allowance can make the process easier. The app can set daily, weekly, or monthly tasks for the whole family. It also syncs across multiple devices, so kids and parents can get on the same page. The app can also track earning goals and link family members’ bank accounts. So if your child has a bank account and gets an allowance, you can transfer money directly through the app.
Price: $4.99 per month
Available for: iOS, Android
Rooster Money
Trouble with managing money is common in kids with ADHD. Rooster Money can help teach them about finances. The app allows parents and kids to track and monitor pocket money and allowance through a practice bank account. You can set up regular allowance payments and check to see how much money your child has. When you give your child paper money, you can subtract it on the app. Kids can use the app to see how much money they’ve spent and saved. And they can use it to set financial goals, like saving up for a new toy or piece of clothing.
Price: Free (in-app purchases)
Available for: iOS, Android
Stop, Breathe, and Think Kids
Mindfulness can be a good tool to help kids manage ADHD symptoms. The Stop, Breathe, and Think app offers free mindfulness activities, with more available for a price. With the app, kids can “check in” with how they are feeling, and then choose an activity based on that feeling. To help create a sense of calm, kids may be instructed to visualize a relaxing scene, breathe deeply, or pay attention to what they’re feeling. If you or your teen is interested in mindfulness, be sure to check out other meditation apps.
Price: Free (more activities can be purchased)
Available for: iOS, Android
The Sims FreePlay
The Sims FreePlay game is an open-ended simulation of young adult living. It can help kids with ADHD practice everyday skills they’ll need in “real life.” In the app, kids create a “Sim,” or a virtual character, with a personality and preferences. The Sim has needs like eating, sleeping, personal hygiene, social interaction, and having fun. Kids must direct their Sim to take actions to meet the Sim’s needs, as they build and furnish a home, look for jobs, and form relationships.
Price: Free (in-app purchases)
Available for: iOS, Android
Conversation Planner
ADHD can impact kids socially, including making it hard to follow a conversation. Conversation Planner can help your child practice. The app teaches kids how to prepare for interactions with other people. It has more than 130 social skills scenarios. In each scenario, kids choose a talking partner and two conversation goals — one for themselves and one for the partner. Once kids master one level, the next level is unlocked.
Price: $2.99 for more levels
Available for: iOS
Choiceworks Calendar
Choiceworks Calendar is a picture-based calendar app that can help kids with . Kids can put images in a sequence to map out a day, week, or month. The app comes with tons of pre-loaded images, but kids can also upload their own. There are options to have the images read aloud if kids prefer. Choiceworks Calendar is meant for older kids, but there’s also a version of the app for younger children called Choiceworks.
Price: $9.99
Available for: iOS
Google Calendar
Lots of people use Google Calendar, but they might not realize how helpful it can be for kids with ADHD, too. Your child can use it to keep track of appointments, events, and tasks. One big benefit is that Google Calendar integrates with other Google applications that kids may already use in school. This includes Gmail, Google Keep, and Google Drive.
Price: Free
Available for: iOS, Android
Eye to Eye: Empower Different Learners
The Eye to Eye Empower app was created by Understood founding partner Eye to Eye, with the support of Microsoft EDU. In the app, kids can work through different activities, called quests. Each quest helps kids better understand their strengths and challenges, and develop strategies for success. One unique feature is that when kids finish the quests, they receive an advocacy plan. The plan can help teens with ADHD self-advocate in school and in life.
Price: Free
Available for: iOS
About the author
About the author
The Understood Team is made up of passionate writers and editors. Many of them have kids who learn and think differently.
Reviewed by
Reviewed by
Jamie Martin is an assistive technology specialist at the New England Assistive Technology Center (NEAT) in Hartford, Connecticut.
