Interviewed by Lorrie Holmes
My book publishing journey has been chalk full of researching, learning, connecting, and growing! My goal in creating Hi It’s Me, I Have ADHD was, If my book can impact the life of one child with ADHD, then it will be worth it! Two years later, I now have a child who is diagnosed with ADHD. I have life experience with it. I am educated about it. I teach and coach children who have it. I am an author of a children’s book about it. I am also a mama to a daughter who is impacted by it! These are all of the things that have turned me into an expert on ADHD.
Katelyn Mabry, Author, Hi It’s Me, I Have ADHD
KiDS NEWS & REViEWS: Can you tell me a bit about your background and how you became an expert on this subject matter.
KATELYN: When I was 10 years old, I was diagnosed with ADHD. This diagnosis left me feeling alone. Without knowing, I was searching for ways to cope with how I was thinking and feeling. Through trials, successes, strategies and struggles, I continually learn and grow in life experiences. I barely was admitted into college due to the struggle with test taking. Once admitted, I got my dual licenses as an early childhood educator and a special education teacher. This allowed me to gain more knowledge in regards to how the ADHD brain works. I taught for 7 years and was given the opportunity to work with many children who had ADHD. I wrote my children’s book in college, but I sat on it for ten years due to fear of failure. I questioned if it was worth it. I was feeling a little nervous about being so transparent!
KiDS NEWS & REViEWS: I’m really glad you decided to do it – your book is fantastic. Can you tell me about your jobs as an a special education teacher and how this has helped you in your work as an ADHD expert.
KATELYN: I have my masters degree as a reading specialist and tutor/coach children with ADHD in reading. Of course, I’m doing that virally during the pandemic. Schools hire me to do professional development training about how to navigate the executive functions their students are struggling with in the classroom environment. I do author visits to share my story as well. Over the last few years, I have also been a conference speaker and offer talks about “neurodiversity” to different organizations. I do parent consultations and provide ADHD workshops as well.
KiDS NEWS & REViEWS: What an amazing resource you are.What resources do you offer to parents direclty outside of the school setting?
KATELYN: I have a lesson plan available for parents and teachers to use that is available right on my website. You can also find free printable colouring/journal pages in the back of my book and on my website at www.katelynmabry.com. I also offer free printable facial expressions for parents to use to help their child describe the intense feelings they my experience!
KiDS NEWS & REViEWS: Can you give me some advice for parents about supporting kids with ADHD and kids in general who are having a hard time staying focused. Who are overstimulated.
KATELYN: The key is structure that fits a child’s needs, which includes breaks of many kinds. Exercise can be a super powerful tool to help the brain’s natural chemicals to release and cause a calm and focus affect for a period of time. This can be as easy as 10 jumping jacks, 10 jump rope, 10 seconds of running in place! When a child looks overstimulated, that most likely means that their brain in on overload and often this is when a child will shut down or melt down. The first bit of advice I would give, is to be sure that tasks are being broken down into manageable pieces. The looks different for different children. We could talk about breathing breaks, growth mindset, and the power of gratitude!
KiDS NEWS & REViEWS: Do you recommend we have a daily routine with our kids to keep some structure in our lives. Is this realistic and setting out kids/families up for success.
KATELYN: Yes! Children crave structure and function best when they know what is expected of them!
KiDS NEWS & REViEWS: Can you provide me some tips and recommendations.
KATELYN: Often times, it’s just a matter of trial and error to figure out what works best for your individual child with ADHD. Checklists worked great for me and work for my daughter. Some kids thrive on visual charts, colour coded schedules, and others like time schedules with a visual timer to give a warning when the transition will take place.
KiDS NEWS & REViEWS: What are you currently working on?
KATELYN: Weekly, I’m working on new, fresh and applicable content/episodes for my podcast and I am also working on a new book idea for pre-teens. I’m looking to write a graphic novel about ADHD warriors! You can also find my lesson plan on my website at www.katelynmabry.com that is available for parents and teachers to use.
KATELYN: You can find my podcast, Journey With Me Through ADHD – A Podcast For Kids, on all your favourite podcasting platforms. Please email me here if you are interested in becoming a guest!
Thank you Katelyn, for sharing your passion of speaking into the hearts and minds of children and families with ADHD – to have them feel connected and understood. Be sure to check out her book, Hi It’s Me, I Have ADHD here and her latest launch which is a podcast for kids titled Journey With Me Through ADHD. You can also check out other resources that Katelyn has to offer on her website at www.katelynmabry.com and on Instagram.
