| Jessica McCabe | |
| Birth Name: | Jessica Lauren McCabe |
| Birth Date: | 5 November 1982 |
| Birth Place: | Los Angeles, California, US |
| Years Active: | 2003–present |
Jessica Lauren McCabe (born 5 November 1982) is an American actress, writer, and YouTube personality. She is best known as the host for the YouTube channel How to ADHD as well as for roles in several independent films and television shows including the show American Dreams and the short film Lure.
McCabe was born in [1] in Los Angeles, California. She was diagnosed with ADHD at age 12.[2] Shortly after, she began taking medication, including Ritalin, and seeing a psychiatrist.[3] McCabe struggled to complete community college and dropped out at age 21.[4] [5]
McCabe's on-screen career began as a guest star on the new Dragnet. She followed this up with roles in several independent films including Scorched before landing the role of Becky O'Connor in American Dreams. She followed this up with a recurring role on the NBC drama Windfall.
She next appeared as "Courtney" in the independent short film Lure, which played at the Tribeca Film Festival[6] as well as the London Film Festival and garnered her a win for best actress at the New York Indie Film Fest.[7]
Additional roles include the TNT television series Dark Blue as well as another role in Monk. She made her screenwriting debut in the live action 3-D short film, Happy Ending, in which she also stars.
In 2022, she collaborated with neuropsychologist and ADHD expert Russell Barkley to produce an ADHD certification course.[8]
In January 2016, she started her YouTube channel How to ADHD. The channel is dedicated to all topics regarding attention deficit hyperactivity disorder including tips on how to take advantage of the neurodivergent brain type as well as reviews on products such as fidget toys and journals. As of February 2022, the channel has over one million subscribers[9] with its accompanying Patreon gaining over $15,700 a month.[10] Her TEDx talk, which she gave in 2017 has over 6 million views as of July 2024.
McCabe provides content regarding the various ways ADHD can be treated, and how those with the condition can live fulfilling lives. Videos featured on the channel cover a wide variety of topics pertaining to living with ADHD.
On 2 January 2024, McCabe released a self-help book based on her YouTube channel which was published by Random House.[11]
| Year | Film/TV Series | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | |||
| Happy Ending | Lauren McGee | Pre-Production | |
| Monk | Cashier | ||
| Dark Blue | Kara Tivnan | ||
| Legend of the Mountain Witch | Jessica | Post-Production | |
| The Queen of Screams | Willow | Post-Production | |
| Sibling Rivalry | Becky Johnson | Completed | |
| 2006 | Lure | Courtney | |
| Windfall | |||
| 2005 | American Dreams | Becky O'Connor | |
| 2004 | Joe Killionaire | Cake Girl | |
| 2003 | Scorched | Nicole | |
| Dragnet | |||
| Love Songs | Club Patron 2 | ||