PC READS hosts free community ADHD talk with renown doctor

The Park City Library, where PC READS will host community talk on ADHD. Photo: TownLift // Michele Roepke

PARK CITY, Utah — PC READS, which stands for Recognizing, Educating & Advocating for Dyslexic Students, elevates literacy through early identification of neurodiverse students for whom reading is challenging. On March 27, it will host a presentation by ADHD expert Dr. Ned Hallowell.

This free, community in-person event entitled, “Gaining a Better Understanding of ADHD,” will be held at 7 p.m. in the Jim Santy Auditorium located in the Park City Library.

Dr. Hallowell, A board-certified child and adult psychiatrist has spent the past four decades helping thousands of adults and children live happy and productive lives with ADHD, through his strength-based approach to neurodiversity.

Attendees will leave with strategies and lifestyle hacks useful for both parents and adults with ADHD.

“This is an important topic for PC READS to address because among students diagnosed with dyslexia, about 30% also have coexisting ADHD,” Park City READS Executive Director Elissa Aten told TownLift. “And, while dyslexia and ADHD are two distinct conditions, both run in families and their symptoms overlap, which can lead to misdiagnosis. Given the prevalence of ADHD, we hope that many community members, including parents and educators, will take advantage of this amazing opportunity to learn from a nationally-recognized expert.”

The rich and complex world of ADHD will be discussed and how a simple change in framing can set off an entire shift of thinking and treatment. 

The film “The Disruptors,” about ADHD, in which Dr. Hallowell appears, and that PC READS showed last year, is available online to watch before Dr. Hallowell’s talk.

Additionally, PC READS will host an informal “Meet & Greet” for parents to share resources and continue the conversation on April 8 from 10 – 11:30 a.m. in Room 101 of the Park City Library.

 “We are very thankful for the community partner support from Summit County Health, The Learning Center at The McGillis School, Park City Hospital, Park City Community Foundation enabling us to bring Dr. Hallowell in person to Park City for this engaging presentation,” Emily Stolen, PC READS Program Coordinator told TownLift. “It’s a wonderful continuation of an important discussion.”

Registration is required for this free event. Participants may register at PC READS or Park City Film.