welcome image

Simple rules adhered to when children are young can prevent more serious problems later.

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

The mistake that Sharon and I both made is we never set any boundaries.  (Ozzy Osbourne)

The challenge of adolescence is to balance the right of the parents to feel they are in charge with the need of the adolescent to gain independence.

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.)

"The thing that impresses me most about North America is the way parents obey their children"    (King Edward VII , 1841-1910)

The more 2 parents differ in their approaches to discipline, the more likely it leads to trouble for the child.

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

The way we talk to our children becomes their inner voice. (Peggy O'Mara)

Learn more.

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.

Back to Top

Workshops

+ Behaviour Management (now available online)

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

Learn more

+ A Parent’s Guide to the Teenage Brain

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

Learn more

+ Reading Rescue

A program for children with reading problems

Learn more

+ A Guided Tour of ADHD (now available online)

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

Learn more

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

Archive


Parents' Comments

“Our daughter was the joy of our life until she turned 13, then all hell broke loose. Rick helped us understand what was happening to her and we made some adjustments that helped us get through it. She’s now in University and doing well.”

(D.A. – St. Thomas)