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Being a parent of a teenager can cure a person of narcissism.

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

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

You cannot reason with someone who is being unreasonable.

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.

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

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

If you (parents) tend to overreact to your child's misbehaviour - your child learns that he can't trust you. Mom, Dad, stay regulated!

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

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

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Ritalin – the Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Second – the bad

Like all medications, Ritalin has negative side effects. Not all individuals will be affected in the same way but the following list are concerns that have been observed:

  • decreased appetite (hunger returns when meds wear off)
  • weight loss
  • failure to grow
  • insomnia
  • dizziness and drowsiness
  • increase in motor and/or vocal tics
  • increase in heart rate
  • increase in blood pressure
  • abdominal stress (nausea)
  • headaches
  • allergic reactions (rash, hives)
  • nervousness
  • excitement
  • can affect liver function
  • may activate latent epilepsy or glaucoma
  • tolerance develops requiring larger dose
  • makes some children feel “funny”
  • negatively interacts with some drugs
  • “rebound” – hyperactivity returns stronger when drug wears off

The following list includes possible psychosocial side effects:

  • lower self esteem
  • attributes “external” cause for success or failure
  • disowning responsibility for their own provocative behaviour
  • stigmatization by peers
  • family issues remain unresolved
  • need for parenting and teaching changes are buried

The following quote from the American Psychiatric Press – Textbook of Psychiatry –

page 1076 is noteworthy – “Stimulants have not been demonstrated to have long term therapeutic effects”. . . . “It is clear that medication alone is not sufficient treatment”.

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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

“You have changed our life! Thanks, it needed changing!”

(T.N. – London)