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If there is no relationship - nothing else matters !

It is what we say and do when we're angry that creates the very model our children will follow when dealing with their own frustrations.

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

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

Removing a child from a traumatic environment does not remove the trauma from the child's memory.

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

Don't wait for him to turn 10 before you reveal that you are not in fact the hired help whose job it is to clean up after him.

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

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

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.

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Central Nervous System Dysfunction Associated with FASD

Children with FASD can show several signs of central nervous system dysfunction including: microcephaly (small head) altered muscle tone poor fine and gross motor coordination hyperactivity attention / memory problems learning disabilities language and speech problems mental retardation irritability weak sucking response As the children get older, behaviour problems frequently become significant: failure to consider consequences of actions lack of appropriate iniative unresponsive to subtle social cues lack of reciprocal friendships

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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 […]

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Depression – What do the young people say about it ?

“It was like a dread inside, there all the time. When I was with my friends it would go away a bit, but it always came back.”                                                                                                 […]

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Ritalin – the good, the bad and the ugly

Next – the ugly The abuse potential for stimulant medications are real. When used in the doctor prescribed manner and dosage there is little danger in this regard, however when “snorted” the effects are reported to be similar to snorting cocaine. In fact cocaine and methylphenidate (Ritalin) are very closely related. Larger doses give feelings of: euphoria more energy / power sense of power mental sharpness As the effects wear off there is: heightened fatigue […]

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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 […]

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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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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)