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Wouldn't it be nice if children would simply listen and learn.

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

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

"Unexpressed feeling never die. They are buried alive and come back later in ugly ways." (Stephen Covey)

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

The teenage years require a delicate balance between the young person's need to gain independence, and the parent's need to retain authority.

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

Hurt people hurt people.

Parenting style matters - a lot!

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

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What Does a Child With ADHD Look Like?

It is not unusual for children to forget their homework, act impulsively or fidget at the dinner table. but children with ADHD are particularly prone to these types of behaviour. It can be however, difficult to distinguish between ADHD and normal childhood tendencies. If you identify a few of the following traits or  the symptoms only occur in some situations, it’s probably not ADHD. However if you see a number of symptoms in different situations, it would be a wise decision to have an evaluation by a qualified professional.

Symptoms

  • can’t sit still
  • impulsive
  • distractible
  • distracting
  • inattentive
  • disregard rules
  • doesn’t seem to learn from mistakes
  • major school problems
  • causes stress within families
  • few friends – “bugs” others
  • punishments and rewards seem ineffective
  • noncompliant
  • extreme mood swings
  • few inhibitions
  • dreamer
  • fidgets
  • noisy , talks excessively
  • fingers, legs constantly wiggling
  • interrupts conversations
  • invades others space
  • asks irrelevant questions
  • others view child as disrespectful, needy
  • blurts out answers
  • can’t wait
  • difficulty finishing assignments
  • disorganized
  • “careless” mistakes
  • procrastinations
  • forgetful
  • squirming
  • running and climbing when it is inappropriate
  • loud
  • always on the go
  • trouble participating in sedentary activities (ie. circle time at school)
  • impatient
  • difficulty delaying gratification
  • unaware of danger
  • not listening to instructions

It is vitally important to remember that your child is not doing these behaviours on purpose. They are happening because of the way his/her brain is working. Help is available for the child and parents.

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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

“We are foster parents who took in a 13 year old girl (going on 18!) and she ran us through the wringer. Rick helped us learn how to set limits that made the difference.”

(G.E. – Strathroy)