Cathy Gagliardi is a children's book author, certified coach, and passionate advocate for neurodivergent children and the families who love them. She brings warmth, expertise, and lived experience to every engagement.
Cathy Gagliardi · Author · Speaker · Certified Coach
Hamilton, ON, Canada
Author, speaker, and child-wellness advocate — on a mission to ensure every neurodivergent child has a voice and every parent has the tools to truly hear them.
Cathy Gagliardi is a Canadian author based in Hamilton, Ontario, whose journey began long before she ever put pen to paper. As a mother, counsellor, and passionate advocate for neurodivergent children, Cathy has spent decades learning what children need most — and what parents often don't know how to give.
Her beloved YumYum children's book series began as a way to speak directly to children navigating anxiety, big emotions, and the sometimes overwhelming experience of being different in a world that doesn't always understand.
"I lost a dear friend to suicide. After that, I made a promise — that if I could help even one child feel less alone, feel heard, feel like their inside world made sense — I would spend my life finding ways to do that."
The Bellyflies Method™ grew from that promise. It is Cathy's most personal and most powerful work to date — a framework that honours the neurodivergent experience not as a challenge to be fixed, but as a gift to be understood.
Cathy brings the Bellyflies Method™ to life in every room she enters — from school gymnasiums to medical conference halls to intimate bookstore gatherings. Her presentations are warm, evidence-informed, and immediately actionable for every audience she serves.
Presentations for teachers, educational assistants, school counsellors, and administrators on understanding and supporting neurodivergent learners. Includes story readings for students and practical classroom strategies for staff.
Tailored sessions for paediatricians, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, psychologists, social workers, and other clinicians who work with neurodivergent children and their families.
Community workshops and parent evenings for families raising neurodivergent children. Cathy provides the emotional language and practical tools families need to reduce daily stress and deepen connection.
Keynotes and workshops for organizations serving neurodivergent communities, family resource centres, autism societies, learning disability associations, and child mental health organizations.
Author readings, Q&A sessions, and book launches at independent bookstores and public libraries. Cathy connects directly with children, parents, and educators in the community spaces that matter most.
A compelling and compassionate guest for podcasts, radio, and media appearances focused on parenting, neurodiversity, child mental health, education, and family wellness.
In-person and virtual visits for elementary and middle school students. Cathy reads from the YumYum series and leads interactive conversations about feelings, belonging, and being different.
Engaging keynotes and workshop presentations for conferences, parent evenings, professional development days, and community events. Available in-person (Hamilton area and travel) or virtually worldwide.
One-on-one and group coaching for parents and caregivers using the Bellyflies Method™ framework — giving families the tools, language, and confidence to connect more deeply with their neurodivergent child.
High-resolution professional photos of Cathy Gagliardi, suitable for print and digital publications.
Request via email →High-resolution cover files for all titles, including Discovering the Bellyflies Method™ and the YumYum series.
Request via email →A one-page summary of the Bellyflies Method™ framework, suitable for program booklets, conference materials, and media packages.
Request via email →Freely shareable read-aloud videos — classroom, waiting room, and home-use friendly.
Visit the channel →Cathy is available for podcast interviews, newspaper features, radio spots, and media appearances on neurodiversity, parenting, and children's wellness.
Get in touch →Pre-written speaker bio in short (50 word), medium (100 word), and full (200 word) formats, ready for program books and event materials.
Request via email →Whether you'd like Cathy to visit your school, present at your conference, speak to your medical team, host a parent evening, or appear at your bookstore — she would love to hear from you.
Cathy is available for in-person visits in Hamilton, ON and surrounding area (with travel available), as well as virtual presentations for organizations anywhere in the world.
Tell Cathy a little about your organization, the audience you serve, and what kind of visit or collaboration you have in mind. She responds personally to every message.
✉️ Email Cathy Now
