Program provides insight into attention deficit disorder
An informative program discussing new research, medications and treatments for ADHD and related disorders will be presented free of charge to the public Tuesday night at Warren County High School.
Dr. Clifford Seyler, a Tullahoma pediatrician and ADHD specialist, will present the program.
Originally designed as an inservice for school system personnel, system officials opted instead to open it to the public, according to Warren County School behavior consultant Dana Simpson.
“The presentation will focus on new research, new medications and discussions of brain chemistry. This is going to be much more than a ‘What is ADHD?’ program and we didn’t want to keep this kind of information to ourselves,” she said.
ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is one of the most common mental disorders among children, affecting 3 to 5 percent of children, or close to 2 million American children, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Those affected by the disorder are often unable to sit still, plan ahead, finish tasks or be fully aware of what’s going on around them. Other times these individuals seem fine, leading some around them to think the individual can control his or her lack of concentration.
Studies have shown that two to three times as many boys than girls are affected by ADHD and that, on average, at least one child in every classroom in America needs help for the disorder.
Simpson said the program is geared toward parents of children with ADHD and related disorders, mental health professionals and health care providers, though anyone interested in learning more about the disorder and its new research, medication and treatments is encouraged to attend.
The ADHD program will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday night in the multi-purpose room at Warren County High School.