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"Cutting" is a visible sign to the world that you are hurting.

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.

There has been an explosion in the prescribing of medication for very young children, particularly preschool and kindergarten boys (Juli Zito , Univ. of Maryland)

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

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

Criticism is not a motivator.

Children fare better when expectations on them are clear and firm.

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

We should not medicate the boys so they fit the school; we should change the school to fit the boy. (Leonard Sax, M.D. Ph.D)

The quickest way to change your child’s behaviour is to first change your own.

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ADHD and Executive Function

Most species of animals do not have the capability of planning for the future. They are unable to “self talk”. They react on impulse and are not able to evaluate their past actions rationally. Humans however do have this capability. It is called “executive function” and it gives us the option of modulating our behaviour. No single part of the human brain is solely in charge of this modulation, however it does appear that our frontal and prefrontal lobes  function as our “CEO”.

One of the most important functions of this part of our brain is to “inhibit” (put on the brakes). Successful execution of a plan largely involves putting brakes on distracting activities. These brakes  – courtesy of our inhibitory centers – allow us the luxury of TIME during which we can consider our options before reacting.

People with ADHD have a problem with INHIBITION (putting on the brakes)

  • unable to adequately inhibit distraction
  • unable to inhibit impulsive reactions
  • unable to inhibit physically reacting to stimuli
  • unable to inhibit their behaviour long enough for other executive functions to operate

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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)