Kat Hutcheson earned their B.A. in Psychology and M.A. in Developmental Psychology specializing in both Birth through Age Five Cognitive Development and Child and Adolescent Counseling from the University of South Florida. Kat is a well-known speaker and community leader. They have worked as a consultant helping parents create developmentally appropriate and academically-rich educational programs for young learners with a focus on neurodivergent and gifted students with high academic needs. Kat has also worked as the lead curriculum evaluator for the largest homeschool Charter School in California. They have looked at tens of thousands of pieces of curricular material and programs and has become a leading expert at vetting and reviewing curriculum and educational resources. As the COO of Secular, Eclectic, Academic (SEA) Homeschoolers Kat is responsible for organizing and implementing community outreach endeavors, including the SEA conferences, and building relationships with companies and individuals creating high-quality curricula and resources. Kat is also the managing producer of SEA’s This Is Homeschooling series on YouTube.

Kat Hutcheson is a second generation secular homeschooler and neurodivergent parent of neurodivergent kids ranging from 7 months to 23 years old. Kat has a passion for supporting neurodivergent parents, helping them balance their own needs, so that they can better support their neurodivergent kids.

How do you create a homeschool experience that supports young children’s development while also nurturing their curiosity and love of learning?

In this session, Kat Hutcheson explores what developmentally appropriate learning looks like during the preschool and kindergarten years and how families can create learning environments that are both play-based and academically rich. Participants will learn about different types of play, how play and academics work together, and ways to support emerging skills through engaging, age-appropriate experiences.

Kat will discuss balancing academic goals with developmental readiness, responding to the unique needs of individual learners, and building confidence as a homeschool parent during the early years. Whether your child is eager for structured learning, prefers hands-on exploration, or falls somewhere in between, this session will offer practical ideas for creating a joyful and meaningful learning journey at home.

Homeschooling as an ADHD adult can be equal parts empowering and overwhelming; especially when you’re teaching in a neurodivergent household where focus, energy, and motivation can look different every day.

In this honest and practical session, Kat Hutcheson shares firsthand strategies for homeschooling when ADHD sometimes takes the wheel. From building flexible structures and simplifying visual spaces to managing cognitive load, planning in layers, and using “external brains,” Kat offers realistic tools that work with your brain, not against it.

You’ll explore how to create a rhythm that balances consistency and flexibility, how to make peace with “done for now,” and how to use body doubling, micro-prep routines, and rest as powerful tools for focus and sustainability.

Whether you’re newly diagnosed, long aware, or supporting a family full of different brains, you’ll leave this session with practical ideas, encouragement, and a reminder that perfection isn’t the goal – connection and authenticity are.

Because homeschooling with ADHD isn’t about conquering chaos – it’s about learning to dance with it.