Parents Celebrate Success in Children with ADHD through New Scholarship Opportunity

Experts say one of the best ways parents and teachers can foster the development of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and encourage a good start to a new school year is to celebrate their small, everyday achievements. Success for children with ADHD is defined in many ways and recognized based on a child’s ability to overcome challenges associated with the disorder. Following rules, getting along with family members, and interacting socially with peers at school are examples of behavior worth celebrating.

Now parents, teachers and others have a new, simple way to highlight the accomplishments of children with ADHD. McNeil Consumer & Specialty Pharmaceuticals has launched a nationwide scholarship essay contest, grounded in celebrating everyday successes, that can help offset the cost of higher education for more than 200 children with ADHD. The CONCERTA "I See Success" ADHD Scholarship Contest gives parents, caregivers, and other adults an opportunity to recognize the academic, extra-curricular, and/or social achievements of a child with ADHD. Any child with diagnosed ADHD, regardless of his or her treatment plan, can be nominated for the contest.

"In addition to its proven impact on academic performance, the symptoms of ADHD also affect areas such as how children get along with family and friends, complete homework assignments and household tasks, and participate in after-school activities," says ADHD expert Andrew Adesman, M.D., chief of developmental and behavioral pediatrics at Schneider Children's Hospital in Long Island, NY. "Success for a child with ADHD can mean an improvement in grades, getting along better with a sibling, maintaining a regular schedule, or simply getting ready for school in the morning without a major battle with mom or dad," he adds.

"Before she was diagnosed with ADHD, my daughter would consistently get unsatisfactory marks for behavior in class. Once her symptoms were well-managed, she started getting excellent marks for behavior week after week," says Debra Calderon, who lives near Houston, Texas. "I even took her out for dinner to celebrate a week that she got a ‘satisfactory’ to reinforce that I was still very proud of her success."

About the CONCERTA "I See Success" ADHD Scholarship Contest

To nominate a child, write and submit an original essay, 250 words or less, describing how and why the child has been able to cope with the disorder and how he/she has improved and succeeded in academics, personal interactions and/or extra-curricular activities. Nominations will be accepted until December 1, 2003. The nominee must have a verifiable diagnosis of ADHD, which must be attested to on the entry from by the child’s doctor. Entry forms and official rules are available at www.concerta.net. The CONCERTA "I See Success" ADHD Scholarship Contest is in full compliance with the Healthcare Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.

About ADHD

ADHD is a common neurobehavioral disorder affecting millions of children, adolescents and adults that is characterized by a variable attention span and/or hyperactivity or impulsivity. According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Mayo Clinic, approximately 7.5 percent of school-age children in the U.S. have ADHD.

About CONCERTA

CONCERTA (methylphenidate HCl) CII is a once-daily extended-release formulation of methylphenidate approved to treat ADHD. The efficacy of CONCERTA has been demonstrated in studies conducted in children and adolescents between 6 and 18 years of age. Only a doctor can determine if medication is the right treatment for individuals with ADHD.

CONCERTA uses an advanced OROS extended-release delivery system to deliver a controlled rate of medication throughout the day. Because of its unique OROS system, CONCERTA minimizes the ups and downs in blood levels experienced with stimulant medications taken several times a day.

CONCERTA should not be taken by patients with: significant anxiety, tension, or agitation; allergies to methylphenidate or other ingredients in CONCERTA; glaucoma, Tourette’s syndrome, tics, or family history of Tourette’s syndrome; current/recent use of monoamine oxidase (MAOIs). Abuse of methylphenidate may lead to dependence. CONCERTA should not be taken by children under 6 years of age.

In clinical studies with patients using CONCERTA, the most common side effects were headache, stomach pain, sleeplessness, and decreased appetite. For more information about CONCERTA, including full U.S. prescribing information, please visit www.concerta.net or call (888) 440-7903.