Patient care should not stop inside the exam room doors. True patient care includes being aware of new scientific advancements, innovative diagnostic testing approaches, therapeutic options and alternatives AND appreciating the importance community plays in a patients' lives. At CNNH, we understand the importance of educating our patients and their families and the community at large to dispel myths and misunderstandings about neurological, neuropsychiatric and behavioral disorders and diseases. This is why we team up with other advocacy and educational organizations - for the sake of our patients - to share what we know with the community-at-large.

October is ADHD and Learning Disabilities (LD) Awareness Month. ADHD/LD are too often misunderstood as being the cause rather than the result of a wide array of identifiable underlying brain processes. As with so many disorders that are defined by common behavioral and learning traits, and whose diagnoses are not dependent on their biological causes and contributors, there can be a tendency for health care providers to suppress undesirable behaviors with medications without understanding the root cause of the problem behaviors and learning differences. Thus, it is important to explore an individual's "clinical profile" and brain function that might be a cause of ADHD/LD, and obtain accurate diagnoses. That is, measuring, quantifying and defining: 

• neuropsychological functioning (intellectual, cognitive, learning abilities, memory, emotional states, and more), 
• neurophysiological (measurements of "real-time" brain cell function and overall central processing), 
• maladaptive behaviors, 
• social abilities, 
• clinical neurological function, 
• metabolic and immunological profiles, 
• and underlying genetics. 

Taking an approach of "biological/clinical phenotyping" allows for pragmatic and targeted treatment approaches, personalized medical care, and improved outcomes! It's what we do at CNNH. 

And, in recognition of ADHD and Learning Disabilities Awareness Month we bring to you just a few of the ways we will be involved to share what we know about addressing these concerns:

• Sunday, October 19th Learning Disabilities Association of New Jersey

• "Attention: ADHD Awareness" Article 

Written by Michael Roberts, MS, MS, CNNH Doctoral Intern
 

As always, we will continue to share information on our website and Facebook page to keep our community informed! 

Sleep can play a significant role in how our brain functions or dysfunctions. Sometimes we may not even realize the connection between sleep and our brain. In many cases, however, symptoms a patient displays "mimic" a neurological disorder rather than a sleep-related disorder. It is important to take a closer look at the biological cause of symptoms to ensure an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. 

Dr. Gallo, sleep medicine specialist and a recent addition to the CNNH clinical team, will contribute to the investigative work done at CNNH to discover these biological causes. "I am thrilled to be joining the interdisciplinary team at CNNH to contribute my expertise to the investigative neurohealth work they do," comments Dr. Gallo.

Dr. Gallo joins CNNH from University Services Sleep Disorders Center in PA. As medical director since 1999, he treated children, adolescents and adults with various disorders and diseases related to sleep, including insomnia, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, narcolepsy, night terrors/nightmares and more.

He received his medical degree from Temple University School of Medicine and completed his pediatric residency and fellowship in developmental pediatrics at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Dr. Gallo is Board Certified in Pediatrics and Sleep Medicine.

Gabor Szuhay, M.D.

Navreet Sidhu, M.D.

CNNH is thrilled to introduce Dr. Navreet "Reet" Sidhu to our staff of expert neurologists! Dr. Sidhu will begin seeing patients at CNNH at MALO Health & Wellness in Rutherford, NJ beginning January 5, 2015. Dr. Sidhu comes to CNNH from New York Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center, where she cared for patients with autism, concussion, epilepsy/seizures, learning differences, headaches and more. Dr. Sidhu is board certified in Psychology and Neurology with Special Qualifications in Child Neurology.  

CNNH takes the Scare Out of Halloween! Join us on Monday, October 13th for a free Open House from 1:30 to 3:30pm for: 

• Cider and cookies
• Arts & crafts
• Trick or Treating
• Costumes
• Free Music & Dance Therapy Demo Classes

WHO: The event is open to children of all abilities and their parent/caregiver.

WHERE: CNNH in King of Prussia, 651 Park Avenue, King of Prussia, PA

WHEN: Monday, October 13th from 1:30 - 3:30pm/  Music & Dance classes every half hour.

Please register here.

Call 855-852-8150 ext 1409 with inquiries.

CNNH is hosting FREE Music Therapy Social Skills Demonstration Classes on Wednesday, October 22nd at our offices at MALO Health & Wellness in Rutherford. Board Certified Neurologic Music Therapist, Gillian Zambor, will be facilitating the sessions. Groups will be held for children ages 3 to 6 and 7 to 12. The following classes are being offered: 

Group Classes (45 minutes):

6:00pm to 6:45pm

7:00pm to 7:45pm

Individual Class (25 minutes):

3:00 to 3:25pm

3:30 to 3:55pm

4:00 to 4:25pm

4:30 to 4:55pm

5:00 to 5:25pm

5:30 to 5:55pm

To inquire about which session might be appropriate for your child or to register, please email Kathleen Nace.  

Why Creative Arts Therapies? Creative Arts Therapies use various art modalities and creative forms of self expression to provide children of all ages and abilities the opportunity to work toward their goals of social skills, communication, self-esteem, coordination, self-regulation in a fun, motivating and safe therapeutic environment staffed by certified therapists. Click here to learn more about Music Therapy.