TRANSITIONS can be super duper tricky for our ADHD brains for many reasons! For starters, it required the executive function skill of "task switching" and like other multi-step processes, transitions have different types and steps to consider as you learn to navigate through them!  Transition Types: Physical, mental (internal) and emotional (also internal)...those last two are ones we often forget to consider when looking at transitions throughout the day!  Steps in trasitioning: 1. Moving away from a task (this is especially hard when it's a high interest activity) 2. Navigating in between two tasks, activities, or environments 3. Starting a new task/activity (this is especially hard when it is non-preferred) The first step is to see through the lens of difficulty from the perspective of the ADHD brain and become self aware as an ADHD brain of the transition types and steps that are tricky for you! Let's talk take-away..."nuggets of knowledge" Raise self-awareness of why and when transitions are tricky Establish routines and systems that work best for your brain by pulling out the tools that work... Tools to try...Visual timers (you want it in your face), visual reminders for the same reason and allows for anticipation of what's expected and coming next. This also always for time to be chunked and check-ins to be made. Movement through transitions can add an element of fun and gamify going from one thing to the next!  Music is always magical and makes transitioning fun too!  Continue collaboratively problem solving alongside child and let them lead transitions when possible! I hope this information and these take-aways were helpful to you! If you are looking for a great group coaching session to join this summer check out the group I am launching "Journey to Becoming Mom Again!"https://focusforwardadhd.com/journey You can also get the link on my website www.katelynmabry.com and make sure to join my email list to recieve weekly emails with up to date podcast episodes and more resources! We are on this journey together remember! Love you all! 

Hey Everyone!!  I have missed talking with you guys these last few weeks! I was on vacation in Mexico and brought back a validated nugget of knowledge that is helpful for our ADHD brains and I wanted to speak on how it can feel tricky to transition back into the swing of things when you've been away, your schedule is changed, or you just need to go from one task to another! I felt this a lot when I was trying to get back into my routine after returning from Mexico! In this episode, you will hear me talk about all of the benefits of WATER! It's amazing calming tool right at our fingertips! Being by the ocean all week when I was away really gave me a sense of how truly calming that simple sound of water is! It was the most relaxed I have felt in years! That got me thinking...water is such a great tool for our ADHD brains in so many ways! Making sure you are well hydrated with water will reduce brain fog and even help with working memory and energy levels for productivity. If you live by any body of water and you feel dysregulated, you can make it a habit to take trips to physically feel the calming mind and body effects of simply being near water. If you don't live by a body of water, you can simply use the water in your home to splash your face when those emotions run high, or hop in the shower as a regulation technique and as an added bonus, showers can spark your brilliantly creative mind too. I get some of my best ideas in the shower! LOL!  You'll also hear me talk about transitions in this episode, but we just scratch the surfact as next week we will dive deeper into this struggle! The first step is always to simply practice self-awareness of the struggle! This is a great conversation starter to investigate different areas of life, different environments, or even day to day task switching that feels extra hard sometimes. We need to identify before any growth can be made!  Don't forget to check out the great program I will be running this summer! "Journey to Becoming Mom Again" is a program designed for mama's of kids with ADHD. I am on a mission to create a connected community of moms, where you can become more educated, empowered, and encouraged to understand your child's brain better, respond more appropriately and effectively to behaviors, and become their best advocate both at home and at school! Go to www.focusforwardadhd.com/journey to book a free consultation and see if this program would be right for you! You can also visit my website www.katelynmabry.com to get on my email list (only one email each week;) check out my book, or reach out to me with a podcast episode request! I would love to hear from your kiddos too!! We are on this journey together!! Love you all!   

With Mother's Day approaching here in the US and a program of mine being launched that you don't want to miss, I decided to dedicate this episode to talk about WHY we sometimes get caught up in the cycle of reaction with mom and some steps to take to become a better responder!  At the beginning of this episode, you will hear from my 6 year old ADHD warrior, who wanted to share part of a song she wrote with you! I would love for you to submit a song too as I love to hear the creativity and silly nature shine through!  WHY the cycle of reaction? We react based on lack of knowledge and understanding or past beliefs or experiences We react because that emotional side of our brain is triggered and has taken over  We react based on fear or the unknown As moms continue to learn, kids can... Communicate thoughts and feelings for better understanding Give mom grace, honor, and respect while she is learning Give mom unconditional love while she discovers how to best respond to your uniquely wired brain Lean in and connect with mom so you can grow together ATTENTION MOMS!!! In this episode I announce a program I'm launching alongside "Focus Forward ADHD" with Tyler Dorsey! We have been working hard to create a very special program customized for moms who have kids with ADHD (approx. ages 7-12). In this program you will have an opportunity to have both 1:1 coaching and group coaching sessions with me and a wonderful community of moms who are in the same boat, trying to navigate the wavy waters! You will experience transformation as you discover more about your individual child's brain and feel empowered to impliments tools and strategies in your home while also advocating for your child when they return to school! You don't want to miss this great opportunity to learn and grow to experience life change! Go to http://focusforwardadhd.com/journey to sign up for a FREE consultation to see if this program would be the right next step for you! Wohoo!   You are loved and you are more than enough!! Have a great day!! 

Do you ever look at a task, goal, assignment, or big picture and think, "that just feels too far and like too much?" If so, you are not alone! This is a tendancy our ADHD brains have. When faced with "all of the things" we tend to shut down and do nothing...But we can make a change and this episode will help you discover ways to get to that finish line!  In this episode, you will meet ADHD coach Ryan Mayer from Cleveland Ohio. Coach Ryan talks about his personal experience with the struggle to tackle those non-preferred tasks and keep the momentum to get to that finish line. Ryan shares this awesome visual of  seeing these "too big" tasks as a mile race and considering the idea of doing small sprints to equal the mile and make it to the finish line! He also talks about the importance of shifting from the big picture to the building blocks of getting there!  PLEASE NOTE: Near the end of this episode, you will want a trusted adult listening so you can get the scoop on a great new course Ryan is launching! The course is live and you can get a 30% discount code  by visiting his website https://ryanmayercoaching.com/worksms/ and entering in "Journey!" You can also hop on your preferred social media outlet to follow Ryan and his resources. That being said, hop on my website www.katelynmabry.com to get on my email list and I will share the updates, added resources and discount code through there too! Wohoo! 

Dr. Ned Hallowell, a Psychiatrist and ADHD guru said, "Connection is like a daily vitamin you need to take...Never worry alone!" (You can also go back and listen to the two episodes where I interview Dr Hallowell himself (Episodes 68, 69 & 70) I love the value he puts on the power of connection and wanted to share more about some tangable takeaways for kids to do on a daily basis!  Research shows that everyone needs connection, but it's discovered that connection is super valuable to the ADHD brain and how we are wired!  The tricky part is that sometimes we tend to turn away from connection and disconnect when feeling overwhelmed, unseen, misunderstood, or simply have the feeling of wanting to explode, flee, or freeze in different situations. This is WHY this topic and takeaway is so important. We need to go against the grain of our initial reaction and move toward intentionally connecting with others both in word and action!  In this episode, you will learn 3 "T's"to try to intentially practice making connections in your day to day life!  Talk with a trusted adult or green light (safe) friend about your feelings. Take action to intentionally make connections with safe friends and/or adults who "get you!" Treasure connection time and practice leaning into it...even when you feel the urge to push away! I hope these strategies are helpful for you! Go to www.katelynmabry.com to hop on my email list, check out my book to use as a great conversation starter with your kiddo newly diagnosed, or simply visit the site to stay connected with me in different ways, including reaching out to get your child on an upcoming episode, or checking out my group launching this summer called, "Journey to Becoming Mom Again." This will include 1:1 coaching calls and a community to find your connection in! Visit www.focusforwardadhd.com to schedule a free consult today! I look forward to hearing from you!! You are seen, understood, and loved! Have a great day!