CME & Events
ADHD CME for Medical Professionals: Completed
Supported by the Canadian Institute for the Transfer of Knowledge (CITE)
A completed two-part CME series on sleep in children with ADHD. The recording is available below.
Supported by
The program
Sleep Challenges in Children with ADHD
A two-part virtual CME lunch series for pediatricians and primary care providers, held live and free to attend on June 16 and 17, 2026.
What it covers
Sleep problems are among the most common and most under-addressed challenges in children with ADHD. The series pairs clinical expertise with the family perspective, covering diagnostic clarity, melatonin, supplements, and how to support families.
The content was built on a needs assessment drawing on parent experience, Canadian pediatrician input, and expert committee guidance.
Six sessions, one clinical thread
- Sleep and ADHD: understanding the bidirectional relationship
- When to refer: appropriate use of polysomnography
- Sleep maintenance: what to do when children cannot stay asleep
- Melatonin beyond the basics: formulations, safety, and the ADHD medication question
- Expanding the toolkit: magnesium, iron, and other options
- Closing the loop with families: what parents need from you
Royal College Section 1
This event was approved for a maximum of 2 credit hours under Section 1 of the Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
Credit was awarded only to participants who attended the live sessions.
Faculty and committee
Meet the faculty and planning committee
Five presenters delivered the series, supported by a planning committee that shaped the content. Some served in both roles.
Dr. Anya McLaren-Barnett
Pediatric Sleep Physician and Respirologist, Assistant Clinical Professor at McMaster University
Dr. Karen Beattie
Lived Experience Partner, Associate Professor at McMaster University
Dr. Kelli-Lee Harford
Pediatric Sleep Psychologist, Assistant Professor at Emory University School of Medicine
Dr. Christina Finch
Sleep Medicine Specialist, Assistant Clinical Professor at UC San Diego School of Medicine
Charlene Esposto, M.A.
Parent advocate
Dr. Rosemary Gibson
Community Pediatrician
Dr. Sarah MacEachern
Assistant Professor, Pediatrics at University of Calgary and a Developmental Pediatrician
Dr. Scout McWilliams
Respiratory Medicine Fellow at SickKids
Practice change
What clinicians said they would change
Pediatrician
Re-affirming use of BEARS screening during developmental/ADHD visits.
Physician
Screen for sleep in ADHD; Consider overlap of sleep on ADHD symptoms; Validate parental concerns.
Feedback
In their own words
Nowadays more and more children are being diagnosed with ADHD. Understanding this topic more thoroughly will help me provide best practices when addressing children and families who are dealing with ADHD.
Understanding the correlation between sleep and ADHD is vital to treating the paediatric population... Poor quality and quantity sleep requires close attention and should be thoroughly investigated and managed.
It was great to hear from parents themselves about their journey in supporting their children’s sleep. I think that is very powerful.
Why it matters
Up to 70% of children with ADHD in specialist care also have a co-existing sleep problem
Pediatric sleep is not covered in depth in most training programs, so sleep disorders that overlap with ADHD symptoms may go unrecognized, and some children's sleep changes when stimulant medication is introduced or adjusted. Clinicians face limited appointment time, long waitlists for sleep assessments, and families asking about melatonin, magnesium, iron, and restless sleep, often alongside comorbid psychiatric diagnoses and their medications.
The topics were chosen with direct input from parents about the questions they struggle with and the gaps they encounter.
Source for the figure above: Sung V, Hiscock H, Sciberras E, Efron D. Sleep problems in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: prevalence and the effect on the child and family. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2008;162(4):336-42. Caregiver-reported sleep problems affected 73.3% of a clinically referred sample (28.5% mild, 44.8% moderate or severe). doi:10.1001/archpedi.162.4.336
RECORDING NOW AVAILABLE
A focused, practical session that helps clinicians navigate the complexity of ADHD and sleep with more confidence and clarity in everyday practice
Thank you to everyone who joined us live for Sleep Challenges in Children with ADHD! Enter your name and email below to get recording access and stay informed about future CME events. The recording will be available until October 31, 2026. If you previously subscribed, you'll be granted access automatically.
Please note: viewing this recording does not qualify for CME credit. Credit was available only to those who attended the live sessions.
Audience
Who this is for
General pediatricians
Caring for children with ADHD in outpatient settings.
Family physicians
Managing ADHD across the lifespan.
Nurse practitioners and physician assistants
In pediatric or primary care.
Developmental pediatricians and psychiatrists
Looking to strengthen their approach to sleep assessment.
Residents and fellows
In pediatrics, family medicine, or psychiatry.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Is this event really free?
Yes. This CME is offered at no cost to participants.
How will the CME be delivered?
This CME was delivered as a live virtual webinar. If you attended live, you can access the recording using the form above. Please note that live attendance was required for CME credit eligibility.
What credits will I receive?
This event was approved by the Canadian Paediatric Society for Section 1 of the Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, for a maximum of 2 credit hours (1 hour per session attended).
Please note: CME credit was awarded only to participants who attended the live sessions. Viewing the recording does not qualify for credit.
I am not a physician, can I still attend?
Absolutely. While the accreditation is designed for physicians, all healthcare professionals who support children with ADHD are welcome to attend.
When exactly is the event?
This CME took place on June 16 and 17, 2026. It has now been completed, and the recording is available above.
Will a recording be available?
Yes. This CME has been completed and the recording is now available until October 31, 2026. Enter your name and email in the form above to access it. Please note: CME credit requires live participation and is not available to those who only view the recording.
I have more questions, how do I get in touch?
You can reach our team anytime at info@thesleephealth.org.
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