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Adolescence can be the cruelest place on earth. It can really be heartless.  ( Tori Amos)

Relationships matter:  change comes through forming trusting relationships. People, not programs change people.

"Moody" and "unpredictable" are adjectives parents will often use when referring to their teenagers.

Some hope their children will be like sponges soaking up the truth and wisdom imparted by their parents. However appealing this philosophy might be, it seldom seems to catch on with their children.

You cannot reason with someone who is being unreasonable.

If it  was going to be easy to raise kids, it never would have started with something called "labour".

Children do not develop on their own - they only develop within relationships.

"Rules without relationship leads to rebellion" (Josh McDowell)

Early intervention is always better than crisis management - but it is never too late to do the right thing.

"Parents aren't the cause of ADHD, but they are part of the solution." (Kenny Handleman, M.D.)

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What is Ritalin?

  • the chemical name is methylphenidate
  • it is an amphetamine
  • it is a controlled drug
  • it is in the stimulant class of drugs
  • it is a performance enhancer
  • it is a banned drug for international athletic competitions
  • it has an abuse potential
  • it is sometimes prescribed for narcolepsy (a sleep disorder characterized by recurring, irrepressible attacks of sleep during normal waking hours)
  • it used to be used for obesity
  • it is manufactured by Novartis
  • it is a small, bitter tasting pill
  • it comes in 3 strengths – 5 mg., 10 mg., 20 mg.
  • it is fast working  – approx. 20 – 30 minutes
  • it last 3 – 4 hours (the slow release versions lasts about twice as long)
  • optimal dosage is found by trial and error
  • there is no evidence of it being carcinogenic
  • dosages can be adjusted quickly and easily
  • there is no withdrawal problems other than “rebound” (ie. symptoms return)
  • it does not appear to accumulate anywhere in the body
  • it is metabolized quickly
  • there is a lengthy safety record

Stimulant medications such as ritalin are the mainstay of biochemical treatment for ADHD

Stimulants appear to allow some children to “put on the brakes” against distractions,impulsivity, over-reactions and frustrations.

They give a child’s “executive functions” a fighting chance.

What parents need most are ideas, because with ideas we get options. Rick Harper has been providing ideas to parents for over 40 years.

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Workshops

+ Behaviour Management (now available online)

This full day or 2 evening workshop will introduce you […]

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+ A Parent’s Guide to the Teenage Brain

  A teenager’s brain is not just an adult brain […]

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+ Reading Rescue

A program for children with reading problems

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+ A Guided Tour of ADHD (now available online)

This workshop will present the facts, myths, misconceptions, controversy and […]

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See more of our workshops


Contact

2720 Rath Street, Putnam, Ontario
NOL 2BO

Phone: (519) 485-4678
Fax: (519) 485-0281

Email: info@rickharper.ca

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Parents' Comments

“He is a wealth of knowledge coupled with first hand experience.”

(E.K. – London)