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Children mimic well. They catch what they see better than they follow what they hear.

Parents are the external regulator for kids who cannot regulate themselves.

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

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.

A tantruming toddler is a little ball of writhing muscle and incredible strength. It's like trying to carry a greased pig past a slop bucket.

You cannot reason with someone who is being unreasonable.

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

If there is no relationship - nothing else matters !

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

The best inheritance  parents can give their children is a few minutes of their time each day.

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A Caution about Concerta

  There is a generic form of Concerta available that is proving to be not as effective or safe as the brand named product. The long acting release mechanism is different making it shorter acting and the generic form can be crushed into a powder and snorted like cocaine whereas the brand named form cannot be crushed. Some pharmacies and insurance companies have switched from the brand name med to the generic form without informing […]

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What are the Side Effects of Stimulant Medications?

    These are the reported possible side effects of stimulant medications. Certainly not all are likely to happen and those that do may subside in time. decreased appetite weight loss failure to grow insomnia dizziness & drowsiness increase in motor and/or vocal tics increased heart rate increased blood pressure nausea headaches allergic reactions nervousness excitement may activate latent epilepsy or glaucoma tolerance develops feels “funny” effects on pregnancy unknown presence in breast milk unknown […]

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City of Ottawa Recreation Department

Thanks to the City of Ottawa’s Inclusive Recreation Department for the invitation to share ideas about behaviour management with 60 counsellors in their summer camp program. This camp serves over 200 individuals between the ages of 18 and 50 years old with a wide range of disabilities. This camp provides opportunities for the participants to makes full use of Ottawa’a excellent recreation facilities in a fun and safe manner.

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Tactics for Temper Tantrums (part 3)

  The Forced Exit Forced exit involves removing the child from the scene of the “crime”. It works best if the parent firmly but calmly takes the child to his room and announces that his behaviour would be best suited to being alone. Thus, he should remain there until he feels he can settle down and join the rest of the family (or group). This not only gets the child out of the social setting, […]

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Are ADHD Medications Effective?

    The first line stimulant medications for ADHD are among the most effective treatments in all medicine. Good peer reviewed, independent studies show that they are effective with approximately 80% of individuals with ADHD. Positive Effects decreased motor activity decreased aggression decreased defiance less impulsive fewer mistakes grades improve more compliant improved relationships improved concentration improved attitude Dr. Martin Boren (M.D.), a noted American pediatrician  says “If a child has an attention or hyperactive […]

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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

“Rick’s approach is so logical. He helped us clearly define the problem, analyze what has happened and select the best strategy. We now feel empowered to do something positive for our kid”

(A.N. – Tillsonburg)