From small beginnings to major milestones, the Physical Activity and Leisure Skills (PALS) program has made a lasting impact on children with ADHD and their families. What started with eight children in Fall 2024 quickly grew into a thriving community of 20 participants in Winter 2025—and the demand keeps growing! Through engaging games, social skill development, and family education, PALS is not just a program; it’s a movement. With new research initiatives and expansion plans on the horizon, we’re excited for what’s next. Read on to learn how PALS is shaping the future of physical activity for neurodiverse youth!
PALS Fall 2024: A Milestone Achievement!
This past fall, eight children with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and their parents participated in our very first Physical Activity and Leisure Skills (PALS) project—and it was a tremendous success!
Through low-organization games, the children not only developed physical activity and sport skills but also learned valuable social skills. Their enthusiasm was undeniable—so much so that they can’t wait to return for the next session in the winter!
Meanwhile, parents engaged in insightful discussions about ADHD, family leisure, and local community resources, gaining practical knowledge to support their families. Just like their children, they enjoyed the program so much that they eagerly expressed their desire to participate again in the winter session.
None of this would be possible without the incredible support of the Head2Core Foundation. Your generosity is helping us build a new and exciting community program, creating lasting opportunities for children and families.
Thank you for being part of this journey—we can’t wait to see what’s next!
PALS Winter 2025: A Season of Growth and Success
This past winter, twenty children with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and their parents participated in our Physical Activity and Leisure Skills (PALS) program.
The PALS program was an incredible success! Through engaging games similar to those in physical education classes, children not only developed physical activity and sport skills but also learned valuable social skills. Their enthusiasm was undeniable—each Saturday morning, they ran down the hallways eager to meet their instructors!
Meanwhile, their parents attended workshops on ADHD, family leisure, and local community resources, gaining valuable knowledge and support. Many families expressed how much they loved the program and shared their strong desire to return for another session. Some children were even sad to see the winter program come to an end.
The great news? We now have a list of 25 additional children with ADHD and their families eager to join PALS in the upcoming Fall semester! Our team is working hard to ensure as many children as possible get the opportunity to participate.
Groundbreaking Research & Future Plans
Dr. Harvey’s research group continues to make strides in the field of physical activity for neurodiverse youth. In Fall 2025, the team presented five research studies on ADHD and adapted physical activity at the prestigious North American Federation of Adapted Physical Activity international conference. Additionally, Dr. Harvey and doctoral student Mathieu Michaud shared two research presentations at the Summit Centre for Education Research and Training 2024 conference.
And there's even more exciting news—Dr. Harvey’s team is preparing to launch a new research study to evaluate the impact of PALS. This study will explore the facilitators and barriers that children and their parents experience in accessing community physical activity programs. Our goal is to build a sustainable, long-term program that will serve the ADHD community in Montreal for years to come.
A Heartfelt Thank You!
None of this would be possible without your generosity and support. Thanks to the Head2Core Foundation and their crucial backing of the Choices in Health, Action, Motivation, Pedagogy, and Skills (CHAMPS) physical activity lab at McGill University, we are making a real difference in the lives of children with ADHD and their families.
From the bottom of our hearts—thank you!
William J. Harvey, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Dept of Kinesiology and Physical Education
McGill University
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