Meet Dr. Kessler

I’m Dr. Rohn Kessler and have been working with children with attention deficits since 1970 when it was called Minimal Brain Dysfunction. We have come a long way since then.

I love helping children overcome the challenges of ADHD and sparking their genius. Most parents are aware of the challenges of raising a child with ADHD but are less familiar with the gifts of ADHD. My talent is in discovering these gifts and igniting sparks while strengthening attention, thinking and self-control.

“For every ADHD child with a spark of genius there are many with ignition trouble.”

In 2001 I created Sparks of Genius to realize my dream of finding effective ways of helping children with ADHD. Prior to that I worked in 5 elementary schools, a middle school and a large high school in an Innovation Zone in Coral Springs, Florida. Where I saw the need for improved ways of reaching children with ADHD. My university affiliations include being an Adjunct Professor of Education at the Florida Atlantic University Graduate School and the Coordinator of Research at the University of Oregon on a project to improve science education in the United States.

My Doctorate in Education is from Florida Atlantic University, where I studied how computer technology can optimize student’s brain potential and learning achievements.

I am a member of The Society for Research in Child Development and The Learning and Brain Society.

I’ve been privileged to work with 4 pioneers in the field of ADHD during my 45 years in the field.

1. Dr. William Grant Crook, M.D., noted pediatrician and ADHD pioneer. I worked with Dr. Crook at The Children’s Clinic in Jackson, Tennessee in the 1970’s. I learned to take a holistic approach to ADHD and to value the unique potential of each child. I adopted his concept of “psychological vitamins” to boost best effort, perseverance and spark the genius of hundreds of children. Dr. Crook discovered how important an optimum diet was for children with ADHD and tested for food, chemical and environmental sensitivities that made their ADD symptoms worse. He then created nutrition programs to improve attention and reduce impulsivity. As a result, I integrated optimum nutrition into my life and my work.
2. Dr. Michael I. Posner, Ph.D. worked at the University of Oregon when I worked there in mid nineties. He mapped the brain’s attention networks and showed how brain training can improve attention and cognition. Dr. Posner’s most recent research confirms that both focused training in the arts and mindfulness meditation can improve attention, thinking, self-control and the quality of a child’s life.
3. Dr. Joseph A. Sandford, Ph.D., neuropsychologist, software developer and President of Braintrain.com. Dr. Sandford has created some of the most effective testing and brain training tools for ADHD, which we use in our program today. He showed me the art and importance of becoming an enthusiastic, dynamic Brain Coach — like a top-notch athletic coach.
4. Peter Freer, M.E., Master of Education, developer of PlayAttention.com, is a leader in attention training. I started Sparks of Genius with their product. Peter showed me how brain training technology can improve attention, behavior and cognitive function in children with ADHD. This leads to significant and lasting improvements in their quality of life.

My personal interests include family; friends; meaningful, joyful work; spiritual practice; electric violin; martial arts (Krav Maga); running (5Ks); reading; swimming; hiking and traveling.

Ninah Kessler, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, is our Chief Operating Officer. She is one of the main reasons we have been in business for 15 years and have been able to help so many children and families. Ninah is a life coach and artist.

I can be reached at dr.rohn@sparksofgenius.com or 561-245-4613