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Whining and crying are employed by kids for the purpose of getting something. If it works, then it was worth the effort and will be repeated.

Criticism is not a motivator.

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.

It's more effective to reward your child for being "good" (appropriate) than to punish him for being "bad" (inappropriate).

Good parenting requires sacrifice. Childhood lasts for only a few brief years , but it should be given priority while it is passing before your eyes

Setting limits teaches your children valuable skills they will use the rest of their lives. One day, they will report to a job where their ability to follow rules will dictate their success.

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

Many clinicians find it easier to tell parents their child has a brain-based disorder than suggest parenting changes. Jennifer Harris (psychiatrist)

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

Parenting style matters - a lot!

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Ritalin – the good, the bad and the ugly

First the Good – the following is a list of commonly observed behavioural changes when a child with ADD/ADHD begins using a stimulant medication (eg. Ritalin, Concerta, Dexedrine, Adderall)

  • decreased motor activity
  • decreased aggression
  • decreased defiance
  • less impulsive
  • makes fewer careless mistakes
  • grades improve
  • more compliant
  • improved relationships
  • improved concentration
  • improved attitude

The “experts” really don’t understand exactly how stimulant medications work but it appears to alter the neurochemical functioning of the brain, especially the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin. It takes approximately 20 -30 minutes to take effect and positive results will last about 4 hours. Many children require a second dose at noon hour at school in order for them to remain productive and cooperative for the entire school day. One study that I am aware of reported that the compliance level of a group of children with ADHD before their Ritalin pill was 40% and 1/2 hour after their pill, the level increased to 90%.

Dr. Martin Boren M.D. states, “If a child has an attention or hyperactive disorder, then he has a chemical problem and needs Ritalin as much as a diabetic needs insulin.”

Stimulant medications are performance enhancers and the positive effects will be evident in anyone who takes this drug regardless of a diagnosis of ADD/ADHD.

What parents need most are ideas, because with ideas 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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+ Lick Your Kids

  “Lick Your Kids” (figuratively not literally) (2 hours) First […]

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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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+ Taming a Toddler

Many parents wonder what hit them when their sweet little baby turns into an unreasonable toddler – ideas for dealing with mealtime, bedtime, temper tanturms, toilet training, noncompliance, etc.

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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

“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)