Different Thinkers: ADHD

Different Thinkers: ADHD uses simple language and complementary illustrations to explain how the human brain develops, what it means to have ADHD, how the condition affects emotions and behaviors, and what kids can do to handle its challenges while building on their individual strengths.

Written for elementary-age children and their families, the book features three vignettes of children with an ADHD diagnosis. Each vignette highlights various symptoms of the disorder and the different ways those symptoms can shape a child's behaviors and relationships at home and in school. In addition, a range of practical strategies for managing symptoms related to ADHD are explained.

Thought-provoking prompts are included throughout the text to help young readers better understand their diagnosis, explore what it means to be a different thinker, and ease any insecurities, fears, or negative feelings they might have.

Different Thinkers: ADHD is an empowering read that gives young children the information and facts they need to understand their own ADHD diagnosis, deal with its challenges, and realize their strengths, interests, and abilities are what define them, not ADHD.

This is the first title in the Different Thinkers series for kids, written to help them understand their brains and the challenges and strengths that come with being a different thinker.

Dr. Katia Fredriksen was born in France to a New Zealand mother and a Norwegian father. She later moved with her parents to Norway and then to the Washington, D.C., area, where she grew up. Dr. Fredriksen graduated from Princeton University, having earned a bachelor's degree in psychology with a certificate in French language and culture.

Returning to her roots, Dr. Fredriksen spent a year studying and working in Norway and New Zealand before starting graduate school at the University of Massachusetts Boston. She earned her doctoral degree in clinical psychology, and her clinical training included inpatient and outpatient psychotherapy and assessment with children, adolescents, and adults. Her graduate research focused on health behaviors, including sleep and substance use. Dr. Fredriksen completed her post-doctoral training at a private practice in the Boston area, where she focused on autism, genetic disorders, learning disorders, and attention and executive functioning in a pediatric population. She has published several articles in peer-reviewed journals and presented at national and international conferences.

Dr. Fredriksen continues to lecture to parent groups and professional organizations. She lives in the Washington, D.C., metro area with her husband, two children, cat, and parakeet. She enjoys reading cozy mysteries, puttering around the house, dining out, socializing with friends and neighbors, traveling, exercising (sort of!), and navigating the work/life balance necessitated by modern motherhood (not so much). You can follow her on Instagram @neuropsychmomdocs.

Dr. Yael Rothman was born and raised in Michigan. She attended the University of Michigan where she earned a bachelor's degree in biopsychology and cognitive science. Following college, she had the privilege of spending a year in Cambridge, United Kingdom, doing research focused on autism spectrum disorder and tuberous sclerosis complex. She then spent a year in New York teaching young children with autism before earning a doctoral degree from the Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology at Yeshiva University. Dr. Rothman completed her internship at Children's Hospital Colorado and her postdoctoral fellowship at Children's Hospital in Washington, D.C. She spent four years working as a pediatric neuropsychologist and was an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and the Department of Pediatrics at the George Washington University School of Medicine.

Dr. Rothman currently works at the Stixrud Group in Silver Spring, Maryland, where she completes comprehensive evaluations for children, adolescents, and young adults who have a wide range of conditions that impact learning, behavior, and/or socioemotional functioning. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Rothman also has been involved in clinical research, with a primary focus on autism spectrum disorders. She has presented at several national and international conferences, published more than a dozen articles in peer-reviewed journals, and given lectures to parents and educators.

Dr. Rothman taught and performed improv comedy for 12 years in New York and Washington, D.C., although she is currently taking a hiatus. Now, she performs for her son, husband, and cat (who are sometimes decent audience members!). She enjoys karaoke, Orange Theory Fitness workout classes, musical theater, traveling, and reading young-adult fantasy/sci-fi books. You can follow her on Instagram @neuropsychmomdocs.