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

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)

"To be a man, a boy must see a man."  (J.R. Moehringer)

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

The more 2 parents differ in their approaches to discipline, the more likely it leads to trouble for the child.

Children today are under enormous pressures rarely experienced by their parents or grandparents. Many of today's children are being enticed to grow up too quickly and are encountering challenges for which they are totally unprepared.

If there is no relationship - nothing else matters !

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.

Hurt people hurt people.

"Rules without relationship leads to rebellion" (Josh McDowell)

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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
  • poor concentration
  • irritability
  • depression
  • craving for more

Persistent abuse can lead to:

  • psychotic episodes
  • paranoid behaviour
  • hallucinations
  • bizarre behaviour
  • sudden death

Most people do not view stimulant medications as potentially dangerous or unsafe because it is prescribed to children. This assumption is incorrect as there are over 150 studies documenting abuse problems with amphetamine. The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics – 1997 states “Ritalin is a highly addictive drug”

So does Ritalin use predispose an individual to later drug abuse?

There is no conclusive answer to this question as valid studies support both possible answers. What is clear however is that stimulant medications do not cure ADD / ADHD. They can reduce the symptoms as long as it remains active in the body . There is no evidence of long term improvement as a result of stimulant medication alone.

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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)