In 2020, Simone Biles, the legendary American gymnast, publicly announced that she has ADHD. Since then, she has continued to win Olympic medals and dominate her sport. But how does she do it? A significant part of her success relies on the strategic use of suitable tools and technologies that help her stay focused, organised and high-performing. This article explores how technology becomes a valuable ally for people with ADHD—whether elite athletes or children at school.
Simone Biles: ADHD is not a disability, it is a reality to manage
Simone Biles chose to speak openly about her ADHD diagnosis during the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games. This transparency marked a turning point: she showed the world that having ADHD does not prevent someone from performing at the highest level. On the contrary, she explained that understanding her diagnosis allowed her to make better use of her strengths and to put strategies in place to compensate for her attention and organisation challenges.
What many people do not realise is that Simone Biles did not simply arrive with innate talent. Behind her achievements, there is a support system, personal coaching, and above all technological tools that structure her daily life as an athlete. These same tools are accessible to children, adults and everyone living with ADHD.
The digital tools that make the difference
Time management apps
A person with ADHD often struggles to perceive the passing of time. Simone Biles, like many elite athletes, relies on apps that divide the day into precise time blocks. Apps such as Toggl Track, Clockwork Tomato or Forest make it possible to:
- Visualise time in a concrete way, not an abstract one;
- Break complex tasks down into manageable steps;
- Receive regular reminders so nothing is forgotten;
- Analyse how time was really spent.
For a child with ADHD at school, or an adult at work, these tools become extensions of the brain. They externalise the mental load.
Shared calendars and synchronisation
Simone Biles’s Olympic training involves coordinating dozens of appointments: training sessions, recovery sessions, meetings with the medical team, visits to the sports psychologist. A single oversight can compromise performance. She uses synchronised digital calendars (Google Calendar, Outlook) to:
- Centralise all her tasks and appointments in one place;
- Receive progressive notifications (a reminder one week before, one day before, one hour before);
- Share her schedule with her team for seamless coordination;
- Avoid decision overload by automating alarms.
Apps and software for organising your day with ADHD are precisely designed around these principles: externalise, remind, simplify.
Note-taking and idea-capture tools
A common characteristic of ADHD is the speed of thought, combined with difficulty retaining it. Simone Biles probably uses quick-capture tools such as Notion, OneNote or Evernote to:
- Note down an idea or an instruction immediately, without the risk of forgetting it;
- Record voice notes during a training session;
- Organise her notes in a structured and easily retrievable way;
- Access her notes from any device.
For children with ADHD, these tools drastically reduce anxiety linked to «not remembering». This frees up mental energy for concentration.
Technology in ADHD professional sport
In the world of elite sport, technology is everywhere. Athletes with ADHD are no exception: they benefit fully from it, often more than others. Here is why:
Tracking performance and wellbeing
Smartwatches and tracking devices (Fitbit, Apple Watch, Garmin) provide real-time data on:
- Sleep quality (crucial for ADHD);
- Stress and anxiety levels;
- Heart activity during training;
- Recovery and fatigue trends.
For a person with ADHD, this immediate and objective feedback is valuable. It replaces the subjective perception (often distorted) of «how I feel».
Structuring training with video
Simone Biles and gymnasts with ADHD benefit enormously from video recording of their routines. Coaches use tools such as Dartfish or Coach’s Eye to:
- Play videos in slow motion and analyse every movement;
- Compare performances from one day to the next;
- Give visual feedback, not just verbal;
- Help the athlete with ADHD see their progress concretely.
The ADHD brain retains visual information better than verbal explanations. Video becomes a tool for learning and motivation.
For children and teenagers with ADHD: adapting technology at home and at school
You are not Simone Biles, and your child is not training for the Olympics. But the principles still apply. Digital tools to help a child with ADHD at school include:
At school
- Digital task boards: Trello, Asana or Todoist help children visualise what needs to be done;
- Note-taking apps: Tools such as Microsoft OneNote allow homework and instructions to be captured quickly;
- Visual timers: The Time Timer or Clockwork apps offer a visual representation of the time remaining;
- Digital recorders: Recording the teacher’s explanations helps with revision without the overload of note-taking.
At home
- Shared visual calendars: Display homework, activities and events in one centralised place;
- Automated reminders: Alerts for homework, mealtimes, bedtime;
- Focus apps: Focus@Will or Brain.fm play music designed to reduce distractions during tasks;
- Gamified educational games: Duolingo, Kahoot or Khan Academy make learning less painful and more motivating for the ADHD brain.
ADHD strengths amplified by technology
A common mistake is to believe that technology «fixes» ADHD. It does not. However, it can amplify the strengths often found in people with ADHD: creativity, hyperfocus, adaptability and the ability to manage several things at once (multitasking).
The hidden strengths of ADHD can be enhanced thanks to digital tools. For example:
- A creative child with ADHD can use Canva or Procreate to express their imagination effortlessly;
- A teenager with ADHD who is passionate about a subject can hyperfocus thanks to organised YouTube playlists or structured learning channels;
- An adult with ADHD can use online collaboration tools (Figma, Miro) to turn their «scattered thinking» into concrete projects.
Simone Biles did not turn her ADHD into a magic superpower. Rather, she created a structured environment, supported by technology, that compensates for her challenges and amplifies her assets. This is exactly the model that everyone else can adopt.
Choosing the right tools: there is no single solution
There is no universal «best» ADHD app. What works for Simone Biles may not work for your child. Here is how to choose:
Start simple
Do not rush into 10 apps at once. Choose one app for a specific task (for example, managing homework) and test it for 2-3 weeks. Gradually add other tools if necessary.
Favour a visual and intuitive interface
A child with ADHD will abandon a complicated app after 3 days. Look for tools with clear icons, little text and simple navigation.
Sync with the existing ecosystem
If the family uses Apple devices, choose apps that integrate well with that ecosystem. If it is Android, favour Google apps. Compatibility reduces friction.
Adapt to the context
A child in nursery school does not have the same needs as a 15-year-old teenager or an adult at work. Adapt the tool to the real context.
Frequently asked questions
Does Simone Biles really have ADHD?
Yes, Simone Biles confirmed her ADHD diagnosis during the 2021 Olympic Games. She revealed that she has been taking medication (Ritalin) since childhood, and she continues to take it regularly. She chose to share this information to destigmatise ADHD and show that it is possible to perform at the highest level with an ADHD diagnosis.
Can ADHD apps replace medication or coaching?
No. Technology is a complement, not a replacement. ADHD is a neurobiological disorder that may require medical management (medication), behavioural therapy and coaching. Apps help structure the environment and compensate for challenges, but they do not cure ADHD itself. A diagnosis and professional support remain essential.
At what age can you start using digital tools for ADHD?
As soon as the child has access to a screen and can understand basic instructions. Generally, around 6-7 years old, a child can start using a visual timer or a simple app. At 10, more complete task-management tools become useful. There is no strict minimum age, but the complexity should be adapted to the child’s maturity.
To find out more
- INSERM (Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale): Scientific resources on ADHD and validated care approaches;
- Ameli.fr: Official guide on ADHD in children and adults in France, with information on reimbursement of consultations and tools;
- HyperSupers – TDAH France: Recognised association offering resources, workshops and specific support for people with ADHD and their families.
