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The teenage years require a delicate balance between the young person's need to gain independence, and the parent's need to retain authority.

Wouldn't it be nice if children would simply listen and learn.

Parenting style matters - a lot!

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

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

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

If there is no relationship - nothing else matters !

Criticism is not a motivator.

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.

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What are the Side Effects of Stimulant Medications?

 

 

These are the reported possible side effects of stimulant medications. Certainly not all are likely to happen and those that do may subside in time.

  • decreased appetite
  • weight loss
  • failure to grow
  • insomnia
  • dizziness & drowsiness
  • increase in motor and/or vocal tics
  • increased heart rate
  • increased blood pressure
  • nausea
  • headaches
  • allergic reactions
  • nervousness
  • excitement
  • may activate latent epilepsy or glaucoma
  • tolerance develops
  • feels “funny”
  • effects on pregnancy unknown
  • presence in breast milk unknown
  • may interact with other drugs
  • “rebound” – behaviour worsens when drug wears off

It is understandable that this list would scare parents but you must also remember there are considerable  risks for not taking the medications.  It becomes a balancing act of  risk / benefits. Your doctor is the best source of advice.

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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

“Implementing Rick’s techniques and adhering to them is exhausting, but it is a healthy exhaustion rather than the detrimental exhaustion I used to experience.”

(B.F. – Woodstock)